United Way of West Tennessee

Meet Lisbon Lopes, who joined the United Way team in July 2024 as the AmeriCorps Program Director and Jackson Grown Program Manager. She recently graduated from Converse University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Art in Business Administration. With a strong commitment to community engagement, Lisbon is passionate about making a lasting impact through service projects and capacity-building initiatives. She believes in the power of service to strengthen communities and create opportunities for growth and development. In her role, she is excited to support AmeriCorps members and Jackson Fellows, foster meaningful partnerships, and help drive positive change across West TN. ??

Meet Jon Mark Walls, a visionary leader dedicated to innovation and impact. As a Wyss Center Business Development Member and TEDx Speaker, Jon Mark brings a wealth of experience in fostering growth and pushing boundaries. Passionate about empowering young leaders, he co-founded the Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship to create opportunities for emerging changemakers. Jon Mark believes in the power of community — when we listen, learn, and collaborate, we can build solutions to our shared challenges. With a drive for progress and a commitment to meaningful change, Jon Mark continues to inspire the next generation of leaders. ??

Clairen Berkley Roberts is a top-performing senior at Liberty High School, ranking in the top two of her class. As an active member of Beta Club and a multi-sport athlete involved in cheerleading, volleyball, and softball, she thrives in various environments. Berkley excels in language arts, ccience, and visual arts and aspires to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. Inspired by her mom and God, she credits mentors, Jazmine Farmer and Xavier Taylor, for shaping her journey. Describing herself as outgoing, smart, and dedicated, leadership and adaptability are her greatest strengths. Berkley sees Jackson as a community that values generosity, though she recognizes the struggles of poverty. She believes more investment in education is needed to help students prepare for the challenges of college. With her leadership skills, Berkley is committed to using her influence to overcome barriers and inspire others to thrive, no matter the challenges they face. ?? Read her profile here: https://lnkd.in/eRYZv5dS.

Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders ?? Our 2025 #JacksonGrown Expert Leader Day was a powerful reminder that young minds can create real change when given the right tools and guidance. From expanding artistic opportunities to promoting mental health awareness, our students showed incredible dedication and innovation. ?? We're so proud of their ideas and commitment to improving Jackson's future!

Our Emerging Leaders (a collaboration with the Greater Jackson Chamber) had the opportunity to meet former NFL linebacker, Avery Williamson, and tour the WOW Studios in Milan. This newly developed community space will be accessible to those who are looking for a safe, fun, and nurturing environment to work and play. We appreciate the encouraging words Avery shared with us and look forward to the impact he will make in Gibson Co. and beyond.

Meet Kemora, a dedicated junior at South Side High School, with a strong focus on math and physical education. Kemora is exploring various career paths, including real estate, teaching, or cooking as a chef. She is motivated by a deep desire to make a meaningful impact in her community. Kemora’s greatest inspirations are her mom, God, and her fifth-grade teacher, who all helped shape her personal growth. Describing herself as smart, observant, and respectful, she believes reliability is one of her strongest attributes. While she recognizes challenges, particularly balancing others' needs, she remains determined to define her path after high school. With her skills, vision, and drive, Kemora is ready to make a difference! ?? Read her bio here: https://lnkd.in/effU_wSA.

The Greater Jackson Financial Empowerment Center recently met with the staff from Save the Children and Anderson Early Childhood Principal, Jeanna Lea, to discuss how we can collaborate to better serve Haywood County and beyond. We are thankful for a community who is willing work together for the greater good. #UnitedIsTheWay

Meet Dylan Hall, a dedicated and accomplished junior from Jackson Central-Merry High School. Dylan is widely regarded as an insightful and intelligent student, consistently demonstrating a strong ability to generate innovative ideas and solutions. His contributions have made him an invaluable asset to the Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship Program, where his creativity, critical thinking, and commitment to excellence are highly appreciated. Dylan’s proactive engagement and thoughtful approach to challenges make him a standout member of this esteemed program, and his potential for future success is undoubtedly promising. ?? You can find his profile on our website here: https://lnkd.in/enEEP-By.

The Greater Jackson Financial Empowerment Center reached a huge milestone - over $1,000,000 in net gain for its clients! Since our program's launch, we have helped individuals increase their savings by over $257,000 and decrease their non-mortgage debt by over $802,000! We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help West Tennesseans achieve greater financial stability for themselves and their families. Serving our community in this space for the last three years has been a privilege, and we deeply appreciate our partners and clients who have entrusted us with this responsibility.

Congratulations to Our Jackson Home on their celebration of their 10th Anniversary! ?? We were honored to sponsor the spring edition of their journal, which focuses on the theme of endurance. While challenges are inevitable, we are incredibly thankful for a community that unites to help each other thrive. You can access the digital version of the latest edition and OJH's previous issues here: ourjacksonhome.com/journal. #UnitedIsTheWay