Meet Jamon Alexander: An Emerging Leader of Color Poised to Carry the Torch

I met Jamon Alexander this summer at the NP2020 conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I remember as I walked into the meeting room on the first night, I scanned the crowd for other young leaders of color. To my delight, Jamon was one of about a dozen of us in attendance, and as the weekend’s sessions went on, I was able to hear many of Jamon’s views on what needs to be done to prepare the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Jamon is the Senior Resource Development Associate at the Heart of West Michigan United Way, whose mission is to build a stronger community and improve lives. He is also the Program Manager for United Way’s Young Leaders Society. In just a few moments after meeting Jamon, you can tell that he is an emerging leader of color who is not only motivated to change the face of the nonprofit sector himself, but also commits his time to motivating others to do the same. He was definitely someone I wanted to keep in touch with! Fast forward to one Facebook friend request and a few emails later, and here is the gracious interview that Jamon provided.

Rosetta Thurman: How did you make your way into the nonprofit sector?

Jamon Alexander: I declared the nonprofit sector a viable career option the summer before my junior year of undergrad (2003). My passion has always been associated with helping and serving others in some capacity. I orginally sought a career in education, but upon realizing I could make more impact outside of the classroom, I entered the field of public and nonprofit administration.

RT: What is your educational background and area of expertise?

JA: I received a Bachelor of Science in Public and Nonprofit Adminstration, with added emphases in Community Development and Planning & Public Personnel Management. While I would not consider myself an “expert” at this point, I enjoy learning and providing direct service in areas associated with child welfare. I am moved by literacy, early childhood development, and health-related issues surrounding children & kids.

RT: What is your current position and day-to-day work?

JA: I currently serve as Senior Resource Development Associate at the Heart of West Michigan United Way, where I plan, implement, and manage annual workplace campaigns with over 100 local companies. I am also the Program Manager for United Way’s Young Leaders Society, which engages the next generation of leaders to build a stronger community and improve lives. I facilitate this program, which provides leadership development, volunteer opportunities, and social networking.

RT: What kinds of leadership roles do you aspire to in the future?

JA: While I have not established a “five-year plan,” it is my hope to someday be in leadership at a college or university. I believe being active in college fueled an inner passion to work with students to ensure they are prepared to enter the real world.

RT: Do you think young people of color are involved enough in the nonprofit sector, or are we around, but just “working in the background’? How could we get more involved?

JA: Based on my experience and knowledge working/living in Grand Rapids (the 2nd largest city in Michigan), there are not enough young people of color in the nonprofit sector. Again, my observation is rooted in tunnel-vision due to the fact that I am speaking from a West Michigan perspective, but we can definitely be more visible. I think young people of color are critical to the strong foundations of faith-based organizations, but that same passion has not extended beyond the walls of the church. At minimum, we can become more involved at seeking out a passion and giving our time. To have more of an impact, we can serve in capacities to ensure our voices are not only being heard, but making a difference in the community ( i.e. local forums/panels, social networking groups, conferences, board service, etc.).

RT: What would you like to see changed in our communities of color? How could nonprofits or foundations contribute to that change?

JA: If I had the power to change the philosophy of young people of color, I would change our attitudes regarding materialism and selfishness, the two-headed monsters ingrained in us by America and pop culture. We are taught to define ourselves by the “things” we can accumulate (cars, clothes, jewelry), thus spending the disposable income that could be re-routed back into the community. America, rooted in racism & discrimination, has provided communities of color with opportunities “less than” those for the majority. As a result, we hoard our time & resources, so volunteering becomes less attractive.

Nonprofits & foundations can contribute to changing the myths and mentalities through continuous outreach and education. It is exciting that the nonprofit sector is billion-dollar field, and that more young people are seeing it as a rewarding career option, but the term “nonprofit” has not become mainstream. I feel that students are aware of the work of YMCA or Big Brothers/Big Sisters, but they do not know it falls under the auspice of the nonprofit world. Nonprofits should reach out to higher education students, high school students, etc. and build relationships. Nonprofit professionals should speak in classrooms and host panel discussions. Nonprofits should utilize Facebook & Myspace, YouTube and other modern forms of communication. It is incumbent upon our generation to bridge these gaps; and as young leaders poised to carry the torch, we are more than up for the task.