Meet Jeannette Eason-Mayfield

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jeannette Eason-Mayfield a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jeannette, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Starting a nonprofit wasn’t my first career choice, but it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. Looking back at my journey, I can now see all of my past intentional encounters and how they connected me to my purpose. Everything I felt forced to accomplished in life gave me tools that I needed to position me into my purpose of starting JTK Youth Empowerment Services. Every job I applied for that I didn’t get, every house, car and all of the other no’s” in my life were all a part of keeping me where I needed to be to walk in my purpose. My rejections prepared me on how to motivate youth when they feel rejected by life. My successes prepared me on how to help youth celebrate their victories. Every day I’m reminded that programs like JTK Youth Empowerment Training program offers youth access to opportunities and skills that they may have never encountered if it wasn’t for our team. I am so proud for being a part of their Intentional encounters

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am Jeannette Eason Mayfield, the founder and CEO of JTK Youth Empowerment Services. JTK Youth Empowerment is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that was formed to support low-income youth business dreams. We offer tools to support leadership and business ownership through our business training program. As a college Director of Student Finance for more than 15 years, one thing I knew for certain was that college wasn’t for everyone. I realized that our youth didn’t have a place to explore their business ideas or business dreams. Our public school systems introduce business concepts through fundraisers, girl/boy scouts, candy sales and even PTA raffles. There is no place for youth to explore their own business dreams. I remember watching the news and a group of youth were out selling water bottles to make money. People were saying how frustrating the youth were, how they were creating an inconvenience in their neighborhood. They were so quick to point out the negative impact the youth were causing by selling water on the streets. Noone asked why or how they could help those youth organize their business concept.. JTK Youth Empowerment begin polling and pulling data from statewide reports, we realized that our youth had never been offered opportunities to explore their business ideas. Today, we know that by creating and supporting youth business dreams, it will open doors and access to stronger financial independence for low income communities. Our youth business owners are being taught to become leaders in their community to aid them in their growth to becoming change agents. This in turn will give them the influence to demand better housing healthcare and educations.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities, skills or areas of knowledge that were the most impactful on my journey was having the ability to be resilient in my efforts to overcome obstacles; know that rejection is not defeat; and growth in my servant leadership skills. It took me a minute to understand that some people will automatically reject your ideas simply because they don’t like change or are intimidated by your strength. Just because people are not comfortable with change doesn’t mean that change shouldn’t happen.
Being resilient in your efforts to overcome rejection and obstacles in your path is key to being successful., No matter what comes your way. Even if no one else understands the change you are creating, including family and friends, you have to have remain resilient in your efforts. Keep your faith and know that you are living your purpose.
Use your rejections as a tool to help you better prepare for other obstacles that may impede in your success.
Lastly, being a servant leader keeps you true to your purpose. Having the ability to maintain your compassion and empathy for those around you will always keep you grounded and reminded to never compromise your values.
Just remember, never sacrifice you on your life journey. Know that the people you meet along the way are intentional encounters. Intentional encounters help shape and form you for your positioning, so always treat people the way you would want to be treated. You never know who may become your biggest supporter.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The number one obstacle that our organization faces today is getting companies to support our cause. JTK Youth Empowerment’s focus is to provide our youth with a safe space to explore their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. We’re creating a path where low-income youth will be able to level the playing field in areas of financial independence and business ownership. We know that without JTK Youth Empowerment some youth would never have been offered opportunities to explore this path and some may become first time business owners. Our path to success contradicts previously taught methods of staying in school and getting a degree. Convincing people to support our organization can be difficult because it redefines society’s definition of necessary steps to success. We know that by creating more minority youth business owners, we will in turn create strong future community leaders that will be able to use their influence to become change agents. They will be in positions to use their financial independence to demand changes in areas of housing, healthcare and education. Our goal is to teach and support youth business ideas so they can become successful business owner and community leaders.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,