Shenita Jefferson

A bridge builder who considers herself a lifelong learner, Shenita believes she is meant to be an advocate for the underdog, something she’s using to change the way black men and women exist in Oklahoma City.

What makes you feel proud?

I feel proud to be an influencer in my own right and to be a connector for good.

What keeps you up at night?

What keeps me up at night are the injustices people (marginalized communities) face when getting caught up in systems created to re-traumatize the traumatized. I am plagued with concern for the children who go fatherless and motherless due to the same system, and who get caught up in that system - perpetual cycles of poverty and imprisonment that started after slavery ended. I stay up thinking about the health of families.

Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?

Currently, the biggest influencers in my life are my counterparts at Flourish OKC because we share a vision and passion for seeing everyone flourish and we work together to create pathways for that to happen.

What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?

The biggest obstacle in my life so far has been victory over mental, spiritual and physical health.

One year from today, how do you hope you’re different?

I hope to fulfill the destiny God has for my life.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I have ever received came from my parents and the scriptures: to always seek wisdom in all I do.

“I hope to fulfill the destiny God has for my life.”

What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?

I would like to create a pathway for good fathers to flourish and become the men they need to be for their families. I believe fathers are just as important as mothers and that mothers were not meant to parent alone. I think our society has demonized men and failed them in offering opportunities for success, especially in the black community.