Tenaja Jordan

About Tenaja Jordan

The pursuit of a just and equitable society requires the empowered participation of community leaders. But the diversity of nonprofits is not increasing despite the demographic shift occurring in the US. A national study of nonprofit workers conducted by Common Good Careers and the Level Playing Field Institute noted that up to 84% of nonprofit executives are white and approximately 82% of nonprofit sector workers are white as well, followed by African Americans at 10% and Latinos at 5%. The study also noted that people of color in nonprofits are “significantly more likely to be an organization’s clientele” than members of the organization’s leadership team. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonprofit employment surged at a time when other industries struggled to retain jobs. From 2007-12, nonprofit sector employment grew at a rate almost quadruple the private sector (8.5% vs -3%). Earnings have also surged; BLS reported that nonprofit wages increased 26.3% from 20••••12-over triple the growth of private sector wages. The business of helping is booming-but those most affected by this boom are not reaping the resultant benefits. By providing affordable, culturally competent resources, myseedofchange.com aims to strengthen the pipeline of community leaders able to 1) pursue leadership roles in nonprofits or 2.) start and sustain their own movements.

Experience

1. Founder and President

   Project Octavia

   Feb 2017 — Present

   Project Octavia blends lived experience with learned expertise to help organizations and individuals clarify their commitments to advancing social change and align those commitments through strategy, practice, and action. Drawing from nearly two decades in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and consulting, we partner with movements and institutions to design futures where equity and justice are not aspirations but tangible practices.

Education

• Borough of Manhattan CC

  AA

  2006 — 2008

• Baruch College

  Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.)

  2012 — 2014

• York College of the City University of New York

  Interdisciplinary Studies BA

  2009 — 2012

Skills

• Event Planning
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Curriculum Design
• Workshop Facilitation
• Psychology
• Mental Health
• Organizational Development
• Child Welfare
• Career Counseling
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Strategic Planning
• Community Organizing
• Program Development
• Working with Adolescents
• Proposal Writing
• Case Management
• Adolescents
• Thematic Framework Development
• Policy
• Program Plannng
• Youth Development
• Nonprofit Management
• Program Management
• Research
• Conflict Resolution
• Student Counseling
• Grants
• Psychotherapy
• Fundraising
• Program Evaluation
• Motivational Interviewing
• Resume Writing
• Non-Profit Administration
• Group Therapy
• Social Services
• Social Impact
• Nonprofits