Juandiego Wade was born in Richmond, VA. One of six siblings, he was raised by his father James Richard Wade, a minister and Richmond City Public School teacher, and his mother Marian Wade, a homemaker and Virginia Extension worker. After graduating from Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe High School in 1984, Juandiego went on to attend Norfolk State University, where he joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, an organization in which he is still actively involved. 

 

After graduating from Norfolk State with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Juandiego went on to obtain his Masters degree in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia, where he met his wife, Claudette Grant. Juandiego and Claudette were married in 1993, and have one daughter, Gabriella Ruby Lee Wade, who is currently a civil engineering student at George Mason University. 

 

Juandiego has worked for Albemarle County since 1991, first as a transportation planner, then as a career coordinator. A resident of Locust Grove neighborhood, he has been actively involved in the Charlottesville community as a civic leader. 

 

His involvement has reached into all corners of the community.  He serves or has served on the boards of ReadyKids, 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, Cultivate Charlottesville, and  ChildHealth Partnership, to name a few. He has volunteered and served on the Board of Directors for United Way of Greater Charlottesville since 1992 where he now serves as Chair of Board.  At the heart of his involvement is working with youth in the community. He mentors and tutors with great organizations in the community such as Computer4Kids, Charlottesville Abundant Life Ministries, 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, and Zion Union Baptist Church Tutoring Program. 

 

Juandiego has been recognized for his community involvement by receiving the following awards VSBA Advocate for Education Award (2020), ReadyKids Child Advocacy Award( 2007), Zion Union Baptist Church Men’s Day Education Award (2016), Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce Citizenship Award (2019), and The Daily Progress Distinguish Dozen (2004).

 

Juan's dedication to working with youth led him to run for Charlottesville’s  first elected school board in 2006, where he has been re-elected for 4 terms. While serving on the school board, he's served on numerous different committees, he's served as chair and vice chair, and also had leadership positions at the state and national level, including serving as the president of the Virginia School Board Association in 2015.