Today we’d like to introduce you to Briona Jenkins.
Hi Briona, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in CT by a very Pro-Black and Civically engaged family. I was taught that my voice mattered, that I could make a difference, and that I should always advocate for others. I grew up in a very diverse town, in a two-parent household (my parents owned our home), and had lots of access to activities and resources. In 2006, my mother passed, I was 15 (turning 16) and spiraled into depression, an eating disorder, and self-harm but I was fortunate enough to have access to a therapist at my school. I was very involved in high school (volleyball, mock trial, student government, yearbook) and balancing that schedule prepared for college. During college, my father and I stopped talking but fortunately, I was able to find a community and became an RA, orientation counselor, baseball manager, and eventually became president of the student government association while studying sociology. After graduation I worked at a bunch of nonprofits where I was able to work directly with: adults and children with developmental disabilities, a school for children with autism, and then I got my first full-time job working with adults and families experiencing homelessness. In May 2016, I moved to Austin and came out as queer, meaning I date all genders, after the Pulse nightclub shooting. I had always questioned my sexuality but after moving to Austin and telling myself that I would live my most authentic life I felt like it was time to tell my family. After reading the articles of the families who had no idea that their loved ones, who were murdered during Pulse, were in the LGBTQIA+ community I didn’t want my family to have to find out that way. I was afraid to come out but thankfully they were all supportive and loving. Since living in Austin I have served on five nonprofit boards, started a podcast, spoken at graduations and other large events, and have gotten involved in my community in profound ways.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I developed an eating disorder when I was 12, my mom died from cancer when I was 15, my dad and I stopped talking when I was 18, I lost one of my best friends to drug addiction, and much more. However, I am so grateful that I grew up in a family that taught me the bad can’t last forever and that I should always be looking for the good.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Briona Jenkins Consulting?
Briona Jenkins Consulting strives to help: organizations and companies become more accessible, diverse, equitable, and inclusive, nonprofit organizations with their fundraising and marketing goals, and share her story as a way of encouraging others to see the power in theirs.
Briona’s background in activism, social work, and public speaking has equipped her with the ability to teach and impact in a way that is inviting yet challenging.
What sets me apart from other consultants, who do this work, is my lived experience as a Queer, Black woman. I am able to pull from my own life as well as the work I have been able to do when speaking to issues around race, accessibility, etc.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I have never met a stranger. I have always been such a bubbly personality, who is super vulnerable and very upfront. I would try anything once and I think that has continued to who I am now.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@brionajenkins.com
- Website: https://www.brionajenkins.com/consulting
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brionajenkins/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brionajjenkins/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/brionajenkins
Image Credits
Gaby Deimeke |
Montinique Monroe
Shelby Sorrel
