As the Chief Operations Officer at the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Jahrell works closely with the President & CEO while supporting Director-level leadership, which includes Human Resources, Facilities, Learning and Evaluation, Marketing and Communications, and Fund Development, with an overarching goal of securing the functionality of the business and driving extensive and sustainable growth. This includes programmatic projects and other special activities that magnify the CRCD brand and family of services.
During his 19-year tenure at CRCD, Jahrell has held a variety of positions at CRCD including youth advocate, program manager, associate director, director of youth development, and chief programs officer. As the Chief Programs Officer, he successfully developed comprehensive workforce development programs rooted in trauma-informed care and reinforced best practice programming across CRCD Workforce Development Departments, including youth programs such as South LA YouthBuild (YouthBuild USA), Jobs for Los Angeles Graduates (Jobs for America’s Graduates), VCN YouthSource Center, and Project Tipping Point for current and former foster youth and the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department-funded Vernon-Central/LATTC WorkSource Center for residents 18 years and older.
Mr. Thomas has been an advocate for workforce development and inclusive education and diversity since joining CRCD in 2005. Since then, he has developed and designed proven model programs for CRCD and expanded services to youth and adults in Los Angeles who experience the greatest barriers to education and employment. After witnessing and personally experiencing social and economic injustices, he decided to prioritize focusing on creating opportunities and alternatives to reduce incarceration, homelessness, and unemployment.
He is currently responsible for the overall administration and operations of the organization. Enhancing the organization infrastructure and internal controls is a key priority for the scalability and sustainability of CRCD. He is responsible for CRCD’s policies and procedures, fund development strategies, learning and evaluation, marketing and communication, strategic planning, and facilities operations. This responsibility allows him to develop systems to scale CRCD’s workforce development, housing and support services, and education services that can be replicated in other communities and community-based organizations. As a professional with lived experience, he is personally and professionally invested in changing the lives of youth and adults who can succeed with the appropriate level of support.
Above and beyond his education and qualifications, Jahrell has extensive experience in partner and funder cultivation that leads to stewardship and commitment of resources that “changes lives and builds neighborhoods responsibly.”
