Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jocelyn Stephens. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jocelyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

My initial career plan was to be a fashion designer. I entered East Carolina University (ECU) as Fashion Merchandising Major and Business Administration Minor. My mentor at ECU introduced me to this after school program called Safe Haven. This was my first time ever working with kids/the community but it came so naturally. So much so, that within 2-3 years I was the Executive Director as a student in undergrad. I was also the Community Outreach Chair of our Black Student Union and Community Relations Specialist with my employer ReStart. I used each one of those opportunities to pour into the youth at Safe Haven and the community in which they lived. Had I not have had that exposure my Freshman year, I would not have changed my major to Family and Consumer Science and continued on to obtain my Master’s in Social Work.

Since my experience with Safe Haven, I knew working with kids was my calling. While my professional career has transitioned my work from larger community settings to individuals and families and macro-level systems impact, my passion and purpose remains the same, to make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and the communities in which they live.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was raised in a single parent household. My mother was and is amazing! And I appreciate my father being present, caring, and loving when he could in spite of his addiction. I have always been a sensitive person. It hurt my heart to see my father’s struggle and every other person who was battling with homelessness and substance use. When I was younger I always wanted to help. I envisioned at that time riding around in a minivan picking up the homeless off the side of the street (I know it sounds sketchy but, hang with me). I would then take them to a facility where they can get food, clothes, treatment, and work for money. This was when I was in elementary/middle school. So it’s always been in me to want to help and serve. As you read earlier, I started out in fashion and that was because creativity was my escape, that was something I had control of. But God continued to align me with my purpose, hence the reason I am a social worker today.

I have worked with individuals and families, however my work now is geared towards education and systems/community.

Education: In one of my career roles I served as a Care Coordinator and often worked with facilities who served youth with complex behavioral health needs. In discussing one client with what some would consider unimaginable trauma, this provider stated “they keep blaming everything on their trauma. They need to get over it!” With this youth having been out of that traumatic environment for less than 3 months, my heart sunk. Here I am working with a provider/facility that is supposed to be treating this member but they don’t understand trauma. I also worked with parents who were villainized for not wanting their child on medication.

This led me to learning more about trauma, neuroscience and becoming a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional so that I can provide easy to digest information to parents, youth, stakeholders, and clinicians.

I have also started a non-profit to move forward with a “Safe Haven” afterschool program of my own focused on academics, STEM, financial literacy, mental well being, agriculture and community engagement/support.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker it is imperative that you have a heart to serve and a passion to connect. I remember several years ago, a court counselor referred to “us Social Workers” as hug a thugs lol, meaning we weren’t quick to give up or in. There was this one member I met in juvenile detention and I assessed, listened, validated, and saw that individual for who they were and not what they did (I am so almost certain that this individual was with a group that had stolen my car the year prior). I met with that individual 2-3 more times until their permanent therapist had started. Fast forward a year or two and there is this legal representative at the office looking for me. She referenced the member who I had assessed and said the member was adamant in stating “You need to find Ms. Jocelyn. She is the only person who gets me.” The legal shared that all she had was my first name but made a concerted effort to seek out “Ms. Jocelyn” because of the impact I made. That moment still moves me to this day and is a reminder that your name, work, passion, and commitment is your reputation and legacy. In the words of Dr. Maya Angelou “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Any advice for managing a team?

Early on in my leadership journey, I thought that I had to be a certain image and know all the answers (or at least appear to know all the answers). What I have found is authenticity is key. When you are your authentic self and accept your team for who they are there is a strong foundation of connection, openness, and investment. Of course it is important to have a clear vision, team goals, expectations, creativity, follow-through and accountability, but when you have that AND a solid team foundation, the sky is the limit. “Everyone wants to have a committed team, but you will never have commitment without connection. Connection is what leads to commitment.” -Jon Gordon

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-stephens-9772b1226
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Jason Shelton Photography