Helping Others Win: Jordan Singleton

By: Arquelle Shaw, Senior Vice President, Americas Sales at Equinix

At the core of my being, I believe everyone is important and everyone has potential to lead the way to help others. I also believe in rewarding good work, sharing best practices and celebrating success. In that spirit, today I am launching a leadership series called Helping Others Win to celebrate talented people who use their skills to make the world a better place.

The first spotlight features Jordan Singleton, Director of Sales, Americas at Equinix. Equally important, Jordan is part of the Board of Directors at an organization called Summer Search, designed to empower young people to create futures with purpose and equity. Jordan and I recently sat down to discuss his inspiration, success and vision for Summer Search:

What is the mission of Summer Search?

We believe that all young people should have the support to pursue their purpose and secure their financial futures.

Summer Search is a year-round program that empowers young people to confidently pursue their vision of success during and after high school through mentoring, summer experiential learning opportunities, individualized college and post-secondary advising and career supports.

How did you become involved in Summer Search?

I was a Summer Search student myself! I applied to Summer Search Boston my junior year of high school and was accepted into the program. My summer trip was a 30-day National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) expedition through the Wind River Range in Wyoming. It was the first time I had spent that long away from family and friends, as well as city life! I learned a lot about myself... and the leader I could become. I still keep in touch with my mentor, Emily Edwards, who was instrumental in helping me navigate some of the challenges I faced as a first-generation college student in my family.

After obtaining my degree from Boston University, I moved to New York City where I started my professional career. I had lost touch with Summer Search for a few years, but was invited to the Summer Search NYC Young Leaders Gala where I was able to reconnect and meet the leaders of the New York chapter. I joined the Young Leadership Committee six years ago before being asked to join the Summer Search New York Board of Directors which I’ve served on for more than three years.

Why is the mission important to you?

In addition to having a direct impact on my own life, Summer Search makes a difference in communities.

The biggest thing that our young people need is opportunity. There is so much talent out there.

When you throw in some of the challenges our young people face whether it be financial, systemic, or educational, you produce extremely resilient young leaders. Summer Search gives these young leaders opportunities to learn more about themselves and gain the confidence and network they need to be successful.

?How does Summer Search inspire you?

When I read the stories in quarterly Summer Search newsletters, or hear directly from students at the various Summer Search galas, I get goosebumps. (Shameless plug: Summer Search NYC’s upcoming gala is March 8th.) Their stories of resiliency and overcoming obstacles are truly inspiring. I’ve also had the chance to directly manage Summer Search students via the Equinix internship program. They REALLY show up each summer. In fact, the Sales team recently hired two former Equinix/Summer Search interns to full time positions! Fabian Cabrera will start Jan. 24th after obtaining his degree from Dickinson College, and Khadidiatou Ba will start in June 2022 upon graduation from the University of Buffalo.

Not only do Equinix leaders support Summer Search by engaging (and even hiring!) the students as interns, Equinix employees also support Summer Search by providing two things all non-profits need: time and money. We have a program called Equinix Impact where Equinix employees can volunteer their time to support a cause, and then the company donates money to the cause in the volunteer’s name. I’m proud to say that Summer Search is part of the Equinix Impact program and has received donations in the names of many of my colleagues.

What is your most important accomplishment?

My most important accomplishment would be providing opportunity for young people. Once you’re able to do that, they’ll do the rest!

How can others get involved to advance the mission of Summer Search?

Summer Search continually needs funds to grow operations and take on more students year after year. Direct donations go a LONG WAY toward keeping this great program running across all five metros they serve (San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston and New York).

I also encourage anyone with open internships to think about Summer Search when hiring. We have a tendency to help young people in our network… whether it be a friend’s child, our own children, or others. Most Summer Search students don’t have that professional network in fields they want to enter, please help me give them a foot in the door. I’d encourage you to use Summer Search’s own internal professional search engine and post open positions/internships to the Summer Search network of resilient and hardworking young people looking for that big break.

If you are not in the position to support the gala or hire an intern, please consider making a donation to Summer Search by visiting the website and clicking on the donate button.

What is your favorite quote to inspire other leaders?

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” – Bobby Unser?

Bobby Unser was a race car driver, and here's why I love this quote: leaders should always be prepared, so that when an opportunity does present itself... you’re ready.

About Jordan Singleton

Jordan Singleton is a Sales Director at Equinix, the world’s leading digital infrastructure company. Jordan lives in Brooklyn with his wife Stephanie and their infant son Theo. He’s a member of the Board of Directors for non-profit Summer Search, an organization he was part of as a young adult. When not spending time with family, Jordan enjoys cooking, watching and attending live sporting events, and traveling around the world, specifically Greece where he and his wife have family. If you are interested in learning more about Summer Search, please reach out to him directly: [email protected]

Thank you, Jordan!

Please join me in thanking Jordan for sharing his leadership experience. His dedication to help kids in the way he was helped – and his desire to support the organization that supported him – is inspiring. I am proud to see a valued member of the Equinix Americas Sales team using leadership skills on a mission to Helping Others Win.