Our Community

The Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship relies on a dedicated group of individuals and organizations to deliver a respected, high quality leadership program in the Jackson-Madison County community.

The Mentors

The Jackson Grown Crew is composed of both Local and Global Mentors who have close ties to the Jackson Madison County public schools and have notable accomplishments in their respective areas of work. They represent individuals with a heart for serving and have a demonstrated interest working towards positively impacting society whether at the local or global levels. Each Jackson Grown Crew Member has committed to taking part in open discussion with the Fellows regarding their careers and how they have sought to impact the world around them. Some are matched with students based on specified interests, objectives and needs of the students. It is a group recruited and divided based on academic, professional and experiential backgrounds that can help the Fellows learn more about the paths for pursuing their interests at the different stages of a career. Each mentor remains loosely “on call” for advice, counseling and guidance throughout their time as Jackson Grown Leader Fellows.

SERVICE | WISDOM | EXPERIENCE | EMPATHY | UNDERSTANDING | INTELLIGENCE | KINDNESS | PERCEPTIVENESS

  • Summer Nichols, Mentor

    Zebra Promotions, Board President, Habitat for Humanity Jackson, TN

  • Carita Cole, Mentor

    Testing Coordinator and Paralegal, West TN Legal Services

  • Mark Cancia, Mentor

    Director of School and Community Engagement, United Way West Tennessee

  • Pautez Freeman, Program Assistant, Mentor

    Student, University of Memphis, Lambuth and Former Jackson Grown Leader Fellow 2021-2022

  • Rebecca King, Mentor

    HR Manager/Financial Coordinator, United Way West Tennessee

  • Lisbon Lopes, Program Manager, Mentor

    AmeriCorps Program Director & Jackson Grown Program Manager, United Way West Tennessee

The Experts

Jackson Grown Experts work alongside the mentor team. They provide deep levels of knowledge on topics in which Fellows have expressed interest. As professionals in a wide range of areas they provide valuable 1:1 individualized coaching on ways for Fellows to approach the issues they have selected for the Challenge to the City. Experts are selected from a pool of recognized and recommended individuals across the community who have demonstrated a passion for educating the next generation of leaders. Importantly, experts also provide unique, valuable training in areas such as public speaking and stage presence. Helping coach Fellows in navigating complex, often intimidating leadership scenarios, Experts provide a valuable contribution to the Jackson Grown program.

PROFFESIONALISM | WISDOM | EXPERIENCE | EXPERTISE | KNOWLEDGE | INTELLIGENCE | KINDNESS | UNDERSTANDING

  • LOLO

    Singer, Songwriter and Creative Arts Coordinator

  • Mary Simms

    Coordinator, National Alliance of Mental Illness

  • Konisha Williams

    Program Coordinator, Project Transition

  • Lauren Kirk

    Executive Vice President Impact, United Way West Tennessee

  • Ashley Coleman

    Lifehouse Coordinator, Aspell Recovery Services

  • TJ King

    Director, Juvenile Court Services Madison Co.

  • Captain Danielle Jones

    Commander of Investigative Services, JPD

  • Brad Montague

    Author and Speaker

  • Mark Walls

    Professor, Jackson State Community College

The Counselors

Often some of the biggest heroes are rarely seen. The Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship relies strongly on counselors and graduation coaches from each of the six Jackson-Madison County High Schools. They provide an essential infrastructure within the schools to ensure that Fellows have the resources, transportation and updates they need to take part in the Jackson Grown program. After each meeting, before and after each meeting, these counselors and coaches offer Fellows an opportunity prepare for and process the topics covered. In preparation for the Challenge to the City, counselors often prepare practice sessions for Fellows to ease nerves and refine deliveries of speeches. This support system is an important reminder of the robust ecosystem of committed individuals which is required to develop leadership potential among students.

COMMITMENT | DEDICATION | SERVICE | VISION | DISCERNMENT | | EMPATHY | INSIGHT

The Partners

The Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship is, at its core, a community effort. Founded in 2020, the contours, objectives and structure of the program were developed together with representatives from all of the partners. Active support from the Jackson Madison County School System and high school counselors has been fundamental for the recruitment and transportation of students to the Monthly Meetings. The City of Jackson and the Madison County governments have provided expert staff during Experts Leaders Day and been dedicated attendees at the Challenge to the City. TheCo and Our Jackson Home have offered a physical and digital home as well as valuable staff time to facilitate the program. The Leaders Education Foundation and Rotary have provided program essential funding. Beginning in Fall 2024, United Way West Tennessee welcomed Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship into its family of programs by offering important institutional infrastructure. Finally, Jackson Grown has benefitted tremendously from the generosity of local businesses to contribute to the program’s events.

FORESIGHT | COMMITMENT | STRATEGY | WISDOM | JUDGEMENT | DEDICATION | HUMILITY

Join the Team

Jackson Grown is growing and we’d love to hear from you. Whether as a mentor, expert or partner let us know how you might want to get involved.