Briona Jenkins joined the LSVAP board in 2020. Briona is a public speaker and development consultant. Recently given the title, “The love child of Oprah, Beyonce, and Michelle Obama”, Briona Jenkins is a public speaker, activist for the LGBTQIA+, female, and people of color communities, and has years of experience using her platform to evoke change. From 2012 until now Bri has been working at nonprofit organizations where she has been able to work with a wide variety of individuals including adults and children with development disabilities, single adults and families experiencing homelessness, and working in development at an organization that serves LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.
Why did you join the LSVAP board?
I have loved the work that you have done and wanted to offer my fundraising expertise.
What does LSVAP’s work mean to you?
As a woman of color I know how often are stories and our voices are suppressed and I know how pivotal the work that LSVAP does helps to change the lives of the women they serve.
What are the greatest challenges you face in your work?
The biggest struggles I have had center around me being a young, Black woman and feeling like I have to consistently defend myself. This has come in the form of making sure the company I work for is doing the work to be anti-racist, asking for a raise after doing amazing work and being denied because I wasn’t there long enough, and the list goes on. Just the amount of road blocks and times I have to exhaust myself in order to be seen and respected.
What empowers you?
I have learned how to use my voice and how to share my story. I am a proud queer Black woman and I am so proud to belong to those groups