About JJ, our new systemic change director

This week, we’ve been sharing the stories and backgrounds of our new team members, Nicki, JJ, and Katie! Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to JJ, our systemic change  director.

JJ brings a deep passion for advocacy, organizing, and strategy to their role at Sisters of the Road. Rooted in the belief that Black liberation is central to collective freedom, JJ has dedicated their career to building sustainable systems that bridge direct service, mutual aid, organizing  and policy change.

Originally from Barbados, JJ migrated to the U.S. as a teenager and has since grown up  and worked in New York City, with brief stints in Austin and Houston. They moved to Oregon in 2020, craving its lush landscapes they can hike and the roaring coastlines.

Their experience spans building queer, Black housing and economic empowerment programs at  New York City Anti-Violence Project, leading the NYC Chapter of  Black LGBTQIA+ Migrant Project, designing a trauma-informed direct service to organizing program from scratch at Unite Oregon, and training impacted individuals to advocate for housing justice at the Welcome Home Coalition.

As Systemic Change Director, JJ envisions expanding organizing capacity across the city, building up the organizing knowledge, skills and capacity of the people most impacted by homelessness and housing insecurity. JJ will also explore employment opportunities for people with lived experience, using the community health worker model, where community members serve as a bridge between social services and people who need them.

Coming up next, we’ll share about our Systemic Change Organizer Katie. Stay tuned!