OUR MISSION
Changing lives by providing quality youth and community programs in STEAM+Ag, food production, nutrition, and physical activity in ESTL and beyond.
OUR VISION
To become a nationally recognized innovation center that empowers youth and communities to grow through urban agriculture, food innovation, entrepreneurialism, and career readiness.
This project is the most important, exciting thing I’ve been involved in in 43 years of higher education.”
– Robert J. Jones, Chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
GUIDING VALUES
SUPPORT OUR CAUSE
COLLABORATION
We build upon the strengths of our three organizations united in our collective mission.
EXCELLENCE
We are committed to celebrating our differences while building dignity, fairness, respect, equity, and caring in all we do.
STEWARDSHIP
We lead with integrity while taking a holistic approach to the management of resources guided by science.
LEADERSHIP
We champion the importance of effective leadership and action while embracing transparency.
INCLUSIVITY
We are committed to celebrating our differences while building dignity, fairness, respect, equity, and caring in all we do.
JJK FAN TEAM
Amy Funk, JJK FAN Director
Email: afunk@jjkfoundation.org
Phone: 618-515-5450
Kurly Taylor, Strategic Partnership Manager
Email: KTaylorJr@danforthcenter.org
Chad Warner, Urban-Ag Coordinator
Email: ABrazelton@danforthcenter.org
Antonio Brazelton, Senior Research Partnership Coordinator
Email: CWarner@danforthcenter.org
Laquitsha Bejoile-Hayes, UIUC Extension/ACES Outreach Associate
Email: Lb3@illinois.edu
Grace Margherio, UIUC Extension 4-H Educator
Email: gracem@illinois.edu
Tiffany Brown, JJK Foundation STEM Educator
Email: tbrown@jjkfoundation.org
Zach Stafford, Danforth STEAM+Ag Educator
Email: ZStafford@danforthcenter.org
Andrew Grull, Lansdowne UP Grow Manager
Email: andrewg@lansdowneup.org
Reach out to us
Our Leadership Committee
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee, JJK Foundation Founder and CEO; JJK FAN Founder and JJK FAN Co-Chair
- Dr. Kim Kidwell, UIUC Associate Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives and JJK FAN Co-Chair
- Mark Scholl, J and M Scholl, Inc.
- Dr. Kris Callis-Duehl, DDPSC Executive Director of Education
- Mark Mestemacher, Lansdowne UP Board President & JJK Foundation Board Member
Our Advisory Committee
- David Bruns, UIUC Senior Executive Director of Principal Gifts
- Lecia Rives, Esq. JJK Foundation COO
- Laquitsha Bejoile-Hayes, UIUC Extension/College of ACES Extension Outreach Associate
- Mark Fryer, JJK Foundation CFO
- Michelle Sherod, JJK Foundation Board President
- Stephanie Regagnon, DDPSC Executive Director, Innovation Partnerships