Jeanelle Austin
I’ll never forget my first few months in seminary. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say; I was a mess. I was entering into a new space, just lost my main community, and needed all the support. That’s when I met Jeanelle; a super smart, high energy, candy demolishing, white board dominating, administrative powerhouse. We met working in the same department, and quickly became close friends. Put quite simply, Jeanelle is a treasure. A force of nature, with a acute genius for administration and systems, and a spirit of unbotheredness when speaking truth to power. Yet even in her power, she holds such compassion for those in her care (ever see a mama bear, yeah, then don’t get in between her and her students). Her work extends from leading the William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies at Fuller, to starting her own consulting firm helping people on their path to racial agency and solidarity. She is a lifelong friend, and I am honored to feature her this week. She’s dope yall!
Jeanelle Austin , Owner of Racial Agency Initiative
Tell us who you are!
I am Jeanelle Estella-Marie Austin. I am the daughter of Rev. Ted and Rev. Dr. Judy Austin. I am the fourth of 7 children. I am a child of God. I am pursuing racial justice with joy.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by the simple things in life. I am also inspired by people. I have always been one to pay attention to my experiences and learn from them. My father taught me that lesson growing up. So, I guess I am inspired by the act of paying attention.
What are one or two lessons you carry with you each day?
Listen to my body and love my neighbor as I love myself. Just as much as I am inspired by the things around me, I have had to learn to pay attention to what is happening in me. I have learned the practice of self-care. I have learned that the more I respect myself, I grow my capacity to respect others.
What are you working on?
Multiple things. I am building my company, Racial Agency Initiative, where I coach people and companies to leverage their agency for racial justice. Tea with the People is a collaboration with my friend Justine Lee through which we host conversations on race and democracy. I am also developing a pilot program called Business Talk, a curated space for women of color entrepreneurs just starting out. During the month of June, I have been volunteering in my hometown of Minneapolis, helping to hold space for the public grief and healing. I am always working on something. I love to create.
How do you connect spirituality/religion in your work?
I don’t. It already is. I believe my work flows out of my spirituality, faith, and religion. In the same was a baby grows in a womb connected to its mother, the work I do is connected to my spirituality. My life’s practice is to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Therefore, any work I create will (or should) be in alignment with my spiritual practice. If it is not, I would want someone to check in on me and make sure I am well.
What is bringing you joy in this moment?
What is bringing me joy in this moment is witnessing my community come together to take care of each other, keep each other safe, and take responsibility for our collective wellness and wellbeing without losing sight of our goal for racial justice. I think it is easy to become comfortable when we feel cared for and to forget about justice. It is also easy to pursue justice so hard that we forget to take care of ourselves. We are finding the balance together. This brings me joy.