Jerusha

I am a white woman who grew up in an upper middle-class town in Massachusetts back in the late 1960's. There were no black children in my elementary school, and if my memory serves me correctly, there was only a smattering of black students throughout my entire High School at that time. I never had a black student in my class, nor did I have a black friend or role model, until I met Jerusha.

Fast forward to when I got married and moved to a small community in New Hampshire with my husband. It was definitely more diverse than where I grew up; but still, I lived in a white world. It was there at my place of employment that I met Jerusha, a woman who deserves to be recognized in this challenge.

I work in a mid-size non-profit organization that provides integrated care and housing for the mentally ill and homeless population, including veterans. The agency has grown substantially over the years, but at the time I began it was a smaller, very client focused organization. I had only worked at for-profit companies prior to this, so it was a new world for me.

As a young mother I started out as a part-time receptionist in the admin building where staff and clients would come in and out all day. it was refreshing to see how an organization could make such positive changes in the lives of under-served populations.

Jerusha was the one employee specifically who made quite an impression on me. I remember the first day I saw her come into the admin building, her arms filled with folders and papers, followed behind by one of her mentally ill clients at her heels. She was a beautiful black woman with perfect facial features, flawless skin and eye-catching hair. She immediately stopped in front of my desk, and with a huge sparkling smile she introduced herself to me.

At that time she was a residential coordinator who worked directly with the mentally ill clients, often with substance abuse issues, who were part of our housing program. Residential coordinators help care for those clients by assisting with necessary life skills and everyday activities. They are often involved in crisis control when situations arise, a calming presence in the face of chaos, or sometimes just a shoulder to cry on. They monitor medication taking, take clients to the grocery store, doctor appointments, help them write up a budget - the list is endless and it is challenging and tiring work, but certainly rewarding when you see that the clients are thriving despite their disability.

As the years went on Jerusha and I became very friendly and I would look forward to our chats when she came in the admin building. Each time she would come in with a different, beautifully styled African hairstyle, sometimes with braids and colorful beads. She laughed easily, and she was a good listener, always interested in what others had to say. She was one of the most positive people I had ever met, never expressing any type of negativity whatsoever.

I learned she was from Kenya, South Africa where most of her family still lived; however, she had settled in New Hampshire with her husband and two sons. She was a college educated, smart and articulate woman with a heart of gold and a love for God. She could have succeeded at any career she chose and made a lot more money; but instead, she chose a career where she could make a difference and help others.

Jerusha excelled in her position and eventually was promoted to Program Manager where she now supervises a staff of residential coordinators, and is responsible for the budgeting of her program, and making sure that the program follows State regulations. Her position is stressful and can sometimes necessitate that she work through her shift and then through someone else's if necessary. Even so, no matter how over-worked or tired she is, she always has a smile on her face and never complains or has anything bad to say about anyone. She exemplifies the spirit of giving.

So why have I told you all this? What does this have to do with the challenge of shining a spotlight on influential Black entrepreneurs and creatives or innovators?

The answer is simple. Jerusha may not be an entrepreneur or innovator in the for-profit business world, but she is an essential and crucial part of a non-profit business where she has worked tirelessly over the last 20 years and has made a difference in so many lives. In that way, you could most certainly call her an innovator. I admire her greatly, not only for her success, strength and fortitude in her work, but mostly for her humble, radiant and loving spirit.

To me, Jerusha exemplifies the spirit of a triumphant, innovative and beautiful Black woman. I am grateful for the opportunity to have met her and to now be able to call her a friend.