Tizoc Brenes was born in Los Angeles. Because of the economic hardships faced by his family, they moved to Mexico when he was five years old. He grew up in the frontera town of Tecate, Baja California, and crossed the border every day to attend school at Potrero Elementary. In the frontera he first witnessed the physical and psychological violence committed against brown people by border patrol agents, teachers, administrators and the white residents of East County San Diego. His activism is inspired by the insight that education is a human right, that all students should have equal access to a high quality education. He has taken part in organizations and actions that combat educational injustice rooted in race, class and gender inequality.