A Calling, not a Career
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What if I told you some of the most grotesque inequities we see are by design. What if I told you that no matter how hard some people work, some folxs are positioned for poverty and limited liberty by design. What if I told you none of this has to continue?
In over 15 years in working on equity in corporate and educational spaces work I have heard a lot: "You are the first Black man I have seen in my educational journey" - 12th grade student "The teacher told me I was not one of the smart ones and should be grateful I am here" - 11th grade student "I just don't see color" - corporate employee "Honestly, I just have no idea how to talk about this. It's hard." - corporate employee Jordan Harrison is an educator working to transform antiqued systems and the inequities that stem from injustice. A firm believer that the right words, to the right people, at the right time can change the trajectory of their entire life. Since winning his first speech contest in 8th grade, Jordan recognized the power words have to facilitate change on an individual and system level. He now dedicates his life to using words to inspire change at every level to every person possible. His father imparted words on him that he takes to every person and place. "Face the condition. Change the conclusion." Before we can even discuss what we can change, we need to understand the conditions that have allowed inequities and injustice to persist in our world. From that understanding, we can begin the beautiful yet challenging work of re-imagining the world that can exist. Jordan firmly believes that we can change the conclusions we have placed on our own personal lives and people groups. Through engaging workshops, consultations, and keynote speeches on leadership, equity, and anti-racism Jordan invites you to step into a place of questioning "truths", and celebrating future possibilities all while understanding the daily work we all must do for progress. "Face the condition. Change the conclusion." Jordan J. Harrison is a professional speaker, educator, and social entrepreneur based in San Diego, California. Jordan was the first Director of College Town and Vice President of Impact serving first generation college bound students at Reality Changers, what the former secretary of education Arne Duncan called "an example for the nation." Over his nine years he worked with over 10,000 8th-12th grade first generation college students throughout southern California, and northern parts of Mexico. He played a pivotal role in assisting students in San Diego, Mexico, Los Angeles and beyond to become first generation college graduates. His work specifically focused on students in 8th grade with a 2.0 and below in jeopardy of dropping out- and often gang-affiliated students. He works with students, educators, and working professionals to provide solutions to one question, How do we create environments where every person can succeed, no matter where they come from? Harrison is committed to changing the outcomes of low-income, underrepresented and first-generation students from under-served communities worldwide and across different contexts. Jordan has worked on creating solutions to urban education challenges with the U.S Attorney's office, Rotary international, U.S News and World Reports, San Diego State University, UC San Diego, Harvard University and many others. Jordan is a proud alumnus of San Diego State University (SDSU) where he earned a bachelor's degree in business marketing with a minor in social and personality psychology. While at SDSU, Jordan was recognized as a top student leader and he decided to invest his time and his life in the community working alongside students in urban education as an advocate for educational justice. He continued his education journey and earned his Master's in Education at Harvard University ('18) as an Urban Scholar Fellow focusing on Prevention Science and Practice and positive youth development. His passion for community, making a difference, and transformation through education has led him to be an inspirational speaker and community advocate who lives a mission driven life to change the world. |