Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer L. Hodges.
Jennifer, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a nonprofit professional and describe myself as an relational leader, instinctive creator and strategic builder.
My interest in community development and nonprofit began in my childhood. I was raised by my mother and my grandmother in three economically contrasting neighborhoods in the heart of Detroit, Michigan. As a result of living in these contrasting neighborhoods, I understand the interconnections of education and financial stability for the advancement of underdeveloped communities and individual success.
My mother and I lived in a community that was riddled with violence, rampant unemployment, and theft. My mother stressed the importance of higher education as a means to an improved quality of life. After four arduous years as a full-time employee, late nights completing homework and helping me with mine, while juggling the responsibility of being a single mother, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Detroit. I recognize, her ability to complete an undergraduate education was a privilege not afforded to many without significant sacrifice. Our living environment was a temporary sacrifice. When she completed her Bachelor’s Degree, our economic condition considerably improved. Her degree translated to a job promotion, which increased our socio-economic status and resulted in our ability to relocate to a new community.
This new community was a traditional middle-class neighborhood with a choice school district, college-educated residents with dual income households. It was a complete improvement from our previous residence. As we comfortably settled in our new environment, four years later, at the age of eleven, I experienced the untimely death of my mother. The comforts of my family and my surroundings shifted in a traumatic way. Completely devastated, I became withdrawn, depressed, insecure and often I often felt isolated.
Following my mother’s passing, my grandmother became my legal guardian and I moved with her to a historic neighborhood of Detroit. The neighborhood was populated with college professors, physicians, artists, and attorneys. The transition to my grandmother’s home was grief-stricken but her care and support was the consistency needed to begin my healing process, Like many African-Americans, she viewed counseling as an unnecessary invasion of privacy and did not pursue counseling services for me (and her) to heal from our loss.
What my grandmother lacked in emotional support, I was able to find in her culturally vibrant and artistic community. In high school, while learning about the Harlem Renaissance, I was introduced to the poetry of Dudley Randall who was my grandmother’s neighbor. Exposure to his poetry inspired me to explore creative writing. I began writing poetry to express grief, rhythmic composition by writing rap, theatrical dialogue through prose. Through poetry, I developed coping tools that built my communication skills, improved my self-confidence, self-awareness, self-esteem social and emotional intelligence and a resounding pride in my lineage and African-American heritage. Artistic expression improved my life and my mental health. Throughout high school, I continued to write poetry and was featured in anthologies and won slam competitions. Poetry was a gateway to a world of creativity that offered a tool for self-regulation in times of turmoil and aided in my ability to express intimate thoughts and feelings.
Following high school, I attended Western Michigan University (WMU). I was happy to begin a new chapter in my life and fulfill a desire both my mother and grandmother had for me but terrified of what to expect. I did well my freshman year, adapting to the new environment of a college campus, as well as the new expectations of being an undergraduate student, but following the first semester of sophomore year, I was without the financial resources to continue. Without another source of financial revenue, I became an independent student. I juggled two part-time jobs in addition to managing a full-time class schedule. My grades suffered and I did not earn enough funds to keep up with my tuition payments.
I returned home to Detroit embarrassed, frustrated and feeling helpless, but instead of being defeated by this setback, I returned to Detroit and over the course of 18 to 24 months, obtained a Michigan Real Estate License, sold cars at an auto dealership, worked retail positions and sold my original artwork and with support from my grandmother, I was able to re-enroll in school .
My return to Western Michigan University (WMU) was rewarding but also proved to be my own resilience and determination despite adversity and uncertainty. I returned to WMU with a clear vision: to become an influential and credible professional. I began working as a bank teller, volunteered as a board member for non-profit organizations, served as a peer mentor, obtained mentors, built a strong rapport with my professors and marketed my art business.
I initially perused a real estate license because of the revenue possibility however, I learned about community development and how I could influence decisions to improve the living conditions and of residents in neighborhoods. I learned that I could educate individuals on financial literacy skills a spark was ignited and I began to consider a career based in educating people in leading financially stable lives. Following my passion, I declared my major as Finance with a Real Estate emphasis. My goal was to influence decisions that would improve communities, as well as create and advocate for affordable housing and real estate development. Although my return home was an unexpected detour, it was a fundamental step in the identification of my career path in community development.
After declaring my major in finance, I was selected as the recipient of a “Minorities in Finance Scholarship”, offered by Greenleaf Trust, a prominent Wealth Management company based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The scholarship award lifted the burden of paying tuition, but it also affirmed my new career choice. Following the scholarship, I was selected for an internship with the company, which provided exposure to the corporate office environment and served as an introduction to the field of wealth management.
In 2007, following graduation, I was offered a full-time position with Greenleaf Trust. Over the course of three years, I was promoted throughout the company, eventually working my way up to the president’s office. Working in the president’s office, I was privy to conversations about community development, education and talent acquisitions. The president of Greenleaf Trust was interested in implementing strategies of success that would improve the education gaps, wage gaps, and segregation in the Kalamazoo community. Witnessing his ability to influence these strategies, affirmed and gave a greater awareness of what I aspired to become in my career- just not in Kalamazoo.
I relocated to Chicago in 2010, joining the investment consulting firm, Gray & Company. I actively monitored client investments and helped develop strategies for their changing financial goals. I also, partnered with the CEO to create the Gray Foundation, an arts and education nonprofit established to provide scholarships to inner city youth. I led the development of the mission, vision, and values, as well as the building of the website, obtaining 501c3 status and branding. The philanthropic nature of the president of Greenleaf Trust and the CEO of Gray & Company, allowed me to further explore the type of impact I could have in the community and deepen my commitment to fully aligning my passions and talents with a mission-focused organization.
The opportunity to do just that presented itself in 2015 when I joined United Way of Metropolitan Chicago as a Corporate Development, Relationship Manager. United Way’s core pillars of Health, Education, Income and Basic Needs align with my desire to build healthy communities that produce successful individuals, and families. I now serve as Senior Manager, Corporate Partnerships where I interface with corporate partners and convene discussions that align the social responsibility goals with United Way’s mission of improving communities. I educate employees on the philanthropic work United Way leads in the community, promote year-round engagement, and identify mutually beneficial approaches to investing in the community for positive outcomes. Moreover, I advocate for strategic investment in our Neighborhood Networks, an initiative that specifically focuses on improving Chicago communities of greatest need. Outside of my role as a Relationship Manager, I co-chair the Diversity & Inclusion Employee Resource Group, which focuses on increasing racial and cultural inclusion within the organization and improving corporate culture. I further my involvement in community service by volunteering as a board member for several arts and education focused nonprofit organizations, while continuing to create, exhibit and sell my original artwork out of Bridgeport Art Center.
I am living my passion and purpose by elevating art as much as possible! I draw on my past experiences to align my work in art, education, financial education, housing, and diversity. In many ways, art saved my life. As my story continues to evolve, I use art as the crux for my well-being. I teach the fundamentals of acrylic painting and mixed media to children.
While I experienced the trauma of losing a parent, there is any number of psychological, physical and emotional traumas that affect communities and its residents, from food insecurity and homelessness, violence and poor health. I believe having basic needs met, coupled with an effective tool for self-expression, such as artistic outlets, can create lasting solutions for the individual and for the community. Therefore, I am inspired to teach children creative methods to communicate their needs and relish in their imaginations to help fulfill their full and holistic potential.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about J Hodges Art – what should we know?
J Hodges Art offers creative products, resources, and experiences to people and businesses. I specialize in mixed media and acrylic abstract works of art. My clientele includes businesses and individual collectors. I have been featured in a number of exhibits in the Midwest, mainly Detroit, Kalamazoo, and Chicago, and my collectors span the US. My body of work features large scale (6 ft.) mixed media and acrylic abstract paintings, caricatures that reflect the diversity of Black masculinity and femininity, and unique mixed media works utilizing unconventional materials (glass, mirror, fabric, etc.).
While in college, I completed an independent study focused on the importance of art in the classroom. I learned the positive effects of art coupled with academics and how it elevates the academic performance and confidence of the student. Additionally, I learned there is a difference between children in lower socio-economic classes and children higher socio-economic class specifically having equal access to art programs or simply exposure to cultural events. Children of lower socio-economic class have less access, exposure, and awareness to the arts. This impacts the use and embrace of their creativity, critical thinking, and reasoning. Moreover, with shrinking school programmatic budgets, art programs are usually the first to be cut. The class divide and racial inequity inspired me to draw from my own experiences and passions to create a curriculum to teach children the fundamentals of art, Drawing from this knowledge, I created My Dimensions Art Series.
I am most proud of My Dimension Art Series. My Dimension Art Series offers creative resources and experiences to underserved communities. I teach an annual, free community pop-up class for adults and children at Learnapalooza (serving south and west side communities), and I offer a five-week art focused course to children ages 9-15. In the course, I teach children the fundamentals of acrylic paint and mixed media. I incorporate the lessons of resilience, free thinking, critical thinking, communication, and public speaking into the lesson plans accompanied by the basic principles of art. My goal is that the students physically leave the course with two works of art, but spiritually have identified a new tool to nurture and express their creativity, and build the foundation of business skills.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I must acknowledge that my desire to do good and help elevate purpose, stems from my immediate experiences. My Mother’s tenacity, my Father’s candor, my grand mother’s drive, and the love, commitment, and support of my godparents is unmatched.
My “who deserves credit” looks like a web chart! There are at least 20 people I share credit with who have poured into my life, redirected me, ushered me through my vacillation, propped me up, or protected me. My career path has not been linear, nor has it been smooth, or seamless transitions. Along the way, I have been greeted with mentors, advisers, coaches, and supporters. I like to say that I have my own board of supporters.
The people who set my foundation begin with my god-father, My first and biggest supporter was my god-father, James Sutton. He was my mother’s best friend. Following the passing of my mother, he said “I am your god-father, father and uncle. I love you and I’ll always be here for you, I ain’t going nowhere.” 30+ years later, he proves to be the longest source of consistency and love in my life and my home base when I need to reset.
Sherrie Fuller- I adopted her as a surrogate mother. She was my first professor at WMU. She taught me how to use introspection to find my purpose, the power of vulnerability to strengthen relationships, and the responsibility to advocate for self. I began school with suppressed emotions about my childhood. Her mentorship and nurturing helped me find my voice and live in my truth no matter what it is.
Tim Scheu and Bill Johnston – at the peak of my financial dilemma in college, Tim was my real estate professor. After confiding in him that I was working three jobs to pay tuition, he recommended me for the Greenleaf Trust Minorities in Finance scholarship.
Bill Johnston was the founder of the scholarship program and the CEO of Greenleaf Trust. The scholarship changed my ability to matriculate through school without the burden of working multiple jobs to pay tuition. After being awarded the scholarship, Bill hired as an employee of the organization and allowed me to explore different business lines to determine my passion. The last year of my employment at Greenleaf I was privy to Bill’s passion and investment in Kalamazoo’s north side communities. He exposed me to a corporate environment, the importance of financial education, and community development.
James C. Palmore is my one and only art mentor. He teaches me the fundamentals of art, the principles of art and perspective. He is a master of his work and while I can only dream to paint at his level of execution, he provides me the tools and knowledge to follow my vision, After a lot of asking, pestering, and persuasion, he finally agreed to become my mentor. I studied in his classes and he provided private lessons as well. He introduced me to my first color wheel, “scumbling”, tryptics and all the things an emerging artist should know. Currently, we share a studio in the Bridgeport Art Center.
Larry and September Gray- Together they have been the biggest supporters of my overall success. Larry was the CEO and Founder of Gray and Company. He hired me at Gray and Company to help me transition from Kalamazoo to Chicago. I learned more about financial services, helped him establish the Gray Foundation, and provided connections to professionals in the nonprofit field. Being at Gray and Company helped me solidify my desire to pursue nonprofit as my career.
September is the Founder of September Gray Art Consultancy. She helps to expose me to the art industry, and leading artists. Most importantly, she is my biggest cheerleader always tells me to believe in my abilities and to keep growing and learning. She is also candid in helping me identify the strengths in my work.
DeVon Robertson – my husband is my anchor. He is practical, pragmatic, warm and mostly linear. I am creative and dreamy at times. and as long as we have been a couple, he has supported me in finding my way and helping me shape the impact I want to make, while gently grounding my decisions and making space for me figure it out.
Pricing:
- Acrylic and mixed media paintings rage $200-$1500
- My Dimension Art Series Program: $2000 for 10 students (max)
Contact Info:
- Address: Bridgeport Art Center
Jennifer L. Hodges
200 W 35th St, # 4D4430
Chicago, IL 60609 - Website: jhodgesart.com
- Email: iamjhodgesart@gmail.com
- Instagram: iamjhodgesart
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