We recently connected with Jeannette Eason-Mayfield and have shared our conversation below.

Jeannette, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I worked with youths most of my adult life, from counseling troubled teens in youth facilities to preparing high school graduates for college as a Director of Student Finance for more than 15 years.
In working with youth, I would always ask them about their career goals. Most would respond in the same way that they wanted to get great jobs, buy a house, car and make lots of money.
I will never forget the day, the light came on for me, my purpose, my reason for creating JTK Youth Empowerment Services. It was a normal workday. There was a young lady that sat in my chair and of course, I proceeded with my usual question of, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Her response was different, it wasn’t rehearsed, it was like she was delivering a message directly to me, validating what I had been struggling with my whole life. See, I have seen so many missed opportunities with our teens, so many potential leaders that we as adults overlooked because we didn’t want to challenge the system. Society was no longer preparing our youth to become the best version of themselves; we had started teaching our youth to become followers. We were no longer grooming inventors. writers, pioneers or dreamers. We had started creating Stepford Adults, who believed that money and material possessions were validation for success.
But this young lady response to my question of what she wanted to be when she grew up was jarring to me. She said, “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but what I do know is, I want to change the world, I want to leave my imprint so people will know that I was here”. She said, “I want to make my own choices without being called a failure because they’re different”.
At that moment, I knew the importance of creating a safe space where youth could make perfect mistakes without judgement and become the best version of themselves was not only important but vital, hence the development of JTK Youth Empowerment- a place where leaders are born.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Ga, and I am a divorced mom of two young adults: Jeffrey and Kalya. I have always tried to provide them with the best opportunities life offered, which of course came with many sacrifices and struggles. I believe that hard work pays off and I am a firm believer in my faith, which is the foundation of my core values love, forgiveness, humility and integrity. I feel strongly that JTK Youth Empowerment is a part of God’s purpose for my life.
When I joined the church and became a part of the ministry, everything changed for me, my life was no longer mine. I move differently; I try not to judge people or place value on titles, degrees, social status, or one’s life choices. I’m not looking for earthly validation or to be placed in a category that’s filled with restrictions and ridicule. My goal is to always remain focused on what I am called to do (his purpose). So, with that, I didn’t choose to develop JTK Youth Empowerment, God chose to birth the idea using me as vessel and because of that, I know without a doubt I will never sacrifice or jeopardize what he has already given the victory.
JTK Youth Empowerment has always been a part of me but in 2019 the actual idea was brought to life as JTK Youth Empowerment Services Organization, a 501(c3) nonprofit organization whose main purpose is to work with low-income youth offering them skills and opportunities to become tomorrow’s business leaders and business owners. As the CEO and Founder, there have been some challenges, some missed opportunities and even some failed attempts, but I am learning that even in those moments I remain humble and steadfast in my belief that JTK is still making a difference in our community. Our goal is to identify low-income areas in our community and help those youth through training and skill building to help them with access to better job and career opportunities. We know that as a nonprofit, our success is sometimes driven by the support of the community and we welcome your support, so please feel free to visit our website to volunteer and donate. It is vital that we remember that our youth are the brightest part of tomorrow’s sunrise.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons learned on the journey to birth JTK Youth Empowerment Services is that, sometimes the journey to create your business may require you to travel alone.
The saying that reminds us that everyone may not be able to go to the next place God is taking you, stands true. I now realize that all my previous failed relationships and bad business ventures were not punishments but just delayed moments preparing me for my purpose.
I recall the first year, JTK Youth Empowerment was developed there were so many people trying to slow the process. I was frustrated and even questioned the process myself. I received more rejections than approval for grants and at times I was exhausting my personal monies to continue the business. It was only after; I prayed and asked God to show me my shortfalls so I can take accountabilities for why the business wasn’t working.
Later, I begin to see business partners dismiss themselves from the process only to realize that they were never supposed to be a part of the process; soon after it felt like everything changed, JTK Youth Empowerment begin growing and receiving invitations to participate in so many nonprofit events that we had to decline because we didn’t have enough time to participate. So just remember, if you believe, I mean truly believe that your business was meant to be then stay faithful to the promises of God because he does provide and will deliver on his promise.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media is an exciting piece to your business presence and it’s free!!
The one thing that I have learned about social media is that it’s better for you as the business owner to control the narrative of how your community sees and accepts you and with social media you can become a part of community.
By sharing daily events, funny stories and reels it gives the community access to you as a person and not just as the business owner. Sometimes if people don’t feel connected to you, they tend not to give you the opportunity to show them what you offer. As a non-profit on social media, we give insight into what we do, things we offer and just plain entertainment to the community to bring a smile.
We even use social media to monetize our content and make extra money to help pay for small events and we run ads to gain public attention. So, make sure you use all the resources available to you because you never know who’s watching

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jtkyouthempower.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtkyouthempowerment/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jtk.youthempower/
• Twitter: https://x.com/jeannette020
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybuip5-jRcrKlzBQHw4zuw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jtk-youth-empowerment-rex
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/easonfields/