Jacki Kelley’s Post

Check out Good Morning America's feature on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 2023 Bigs and Littles of the Year!

The power of mentorship is so worth the small amount of time it takes to make an impact. Sign up now at to be a Big at https://lnkd.in/gyr6bBuQ

Mirroring & Magnifying 5/16: I’m grateful to NPQ for lifting up a conversation on Black women’s leadership in the social sector, and loved reading each of the pieces in the latest magazine. James Baldwin said: “The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other's light.” Here’s to #mirroringandmagnifying the light of all the authors in this issue. To Dr. Yanique Redwood: I deeply appreciate your call for restorative/transformative justice practices in the third sector. People have trauma from the workplace just like they have trauma from their childhoods and relationships — and yet we never talk about it, and as you said, don’t have the interventions and infrastructure to help us repair that kind of harm. I love the way our pieces are in conversation with each other on that front. Curious for others out there: what infrastructure have you seen or used that has helped repair harm in the workplace? https://lnkd.in/eSem5D5m

Today, October 22nd, holds special significance as it marks National Stuttering Awareness Day. It's a day to shed light on the challenges faced by those who stutter. For some, this might be common knowledge, but for those unaware, I'd like to share a piece of my own journey. I, too, grew up stuttering, and for a significant part of my life, I allowed it to hold me back from becoming the best version of myself. Stuttering led me down a path of low self-esteem, a lack of self-confidence, and a genuine aversion to hearing my own voice. It was this personal struggle that prompted me to start my own nonprofit organization, Every 1 Voice Matters. Initially, my aim was to support children who, like me, struggled with stuttering. However, I soon realized that my organization could extend its reach to assist at-risk youth and families dealing with various challenges throughout their lives. The goal was clear: to empower them to become the best version of themselves. Every year on this significant date, we come together to discuss the challenges of stuttering. We celebrate the famous individuals who have faced these challenges head-on and persevered, proving that one's voice is powerful, no matter how it's expressed. Our mission is to help children who stutter realize that the length of time it takes to say something does not diminish the importance of their voice. Their voices matter, just like everyone else's. On this National Stuttering Awareness Day, let's come together to support and encourage those who stutter, to let them know that they are not alone, and that their voices are a valuable part of our diverse tapestry. #stutteringawarenessday #speechtherapy #lifecoachforkids #childrensbookauthor

Corporate Social Responsibility is a simple model. In practice, initiatives run the gamut from purely transactional to transformational, and I'm glad that my employer did it right with this partnership by leasing office space in the Urban League of Greater Madison 's new Black Business Hub, an enterprise center devoted to incubating, accelerating, and networking Black and other BIPOC entrepreneurs. This is top-of-mind because I'm working in the new space today, but also because I just finished "From Generosity to Justice" by Darren Walker of the Ford Foundation, an incisive call to action for funders for self-examination and rethinking philanthropy. What are some inspiring CSR partnerships you've seen? Books/studies that you'd recommend?

Leadership can be both compassionate and connected.  Let’s celebrate another inspiring instance where female entrepreneurs are paving the path. Remember, as a leader, it’s not just about the Dollars; you can create value without being solely focused on profits. #Leadership

Such an inspiration, Jim Rudicil! Check out this video of Jim sharing more on his impact on Muskegon and the Lakeshore through United Way of the Lakeshore!

Lewiston, Maine has a chip on our shoulder. But what the world has come to learn this past week is that chip is made from grit and grace; heart and hard work; toughness, tenacity; authenticity and love. Having a chip is often viewed negatively but it can also be a catalyst to be the very best version of ourselves and that is how Lewiston has always harnessed its chip power. Having a chip on your shoulder can instill a sense of resilience and perseverance compelling you to work harder and refuse to be labeled by anyone’s preconceived notions. It can fuel a “ I’ll prove you wrong and love doing it” attitude of epic proportion. Having a chip on your shoulder can spur creativity, innovation and a driving pursuit for excellence. That chip is a fierce sense of competition in all the best ways. Like in 2010 when Lewiston transformed the Bates Mill into the most stunning venue for The Governor’s Conference of Maine’s Creative Economy. All at once, we became the epicenter of innovation and creativity and who did we think we were? Lewiston. My dad also had a wicked chip on his shoulder. Lewiston was his haunt and mostly he took that chip-energy out on the ice at the (now) Colisee or when he racked up at The Cage or on the softball field or in the bowling lanes. There was not a league in Lewiston that man wasn’t compelled to join. If you knew Fred Davis, you knew he occasionally ignited that chip on his shoulder for one other reason. To stand up for the underdog. If he felt someone had been wronged or belittled, out came the chip without hesitation (and sometimes his inner Muhammed Ali). Later, his kids would get an important life lesson that you never, ever stand by. You always, always defend the little guy. You speak up every time. You always tell the truth, and you use that chip on your shoulder for good. Having a chip on your shoulder can be a powerful force of empathy. It can spur a genuine source of kindness and love and a deep, unwavering commitment to community. It can allow us to use whatever trauma or pain we have endured to fight for what is right and true. That chip is a big part of why Rinck chose Lewiston-Auburn (LA) as our home-base and headquarters. Twenty-two years ago, when we considered locations for the agency including Portland, Boston or New York, we set our intentions on LA for one reason only – its people. There is really nothing we cannot accomplish as a community when we come together. We have always been Lewiston Strong. We need that chip on our shoulder more than ever to harness energy of compassion over the coming days, weeks, and years. To stand up for those who need us most. To never give in. And by using our chip-energy as empathy, we can empower our community to heal and rebuild and take care of the families who were tragically impacted forever. Lewiston has a chip on our shoulder, and it is our superpower.

As National Black Business Month comes to a close, I can’t help but recognize, celebrate and support the multitude of #BlackOwnedBusinesses and #entrepreneurs across the country.     For generations, Black businesses have made countless contributions to the US economy. However, for a large part of history, Black communities have endured systematic racism, inequality, wage gaps, and violence. One of the worst cases of this injustice that comes to mind is the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, also known as the Black Wall Street massacre, where one of the wealthiest black communities in the United States was destroyed, resulting in the loss of nearly 200 businesses, several churches and over 1,200 homes. Today, many #minority communities still encounter obstacles and systemic racism, with Black business owners continuing to face a disproportionate number of challenges, including a lack of access to capital.    Recognizing the need for and importance of supporting our communities, PECO and our parent company Exelon, launched a Racial Equity Capital Fund (RECF) to expand access to capital to minority businesses so they can create more jobs, grow their companies, and reinvest in their neighborhoods and communities. The fund builds on our longstanding history of supporting underserved and under-resourced communities and further reinforces our commitment to driving economic #equity and opportunity for our communities. Some local Philadelphia partners in this effort include United Bank of Philadelphia and RockCreek.    Earlier this year, PECO identified Around The Clock Home Health Care Services, a local Black women-owned home healthcare provider, as a RECF grant recipient who will receive an investment of $250,000 to support the agency’s efforts to assist senior and disabled individuals and allow them to remain in their own homes while receiving around the clock #healthcare.      I am looking forward to seeing the #RacialEquity Capital Fund serve as a continuing resource to help grow businesses, create jobs, and strengthen the communities across our region and beyond. Moving forward, whether through finances, advocacy, or other efforts, let’s continue to support diverse small businesses in our communities and close the racial wealth gap.  #SmallBusiness #BlackBusinessMonth #CommunityDevelopment