Recognizing Jauqua Wilkins

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jauqua Wilkins for her induction into the Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City. Jauqua is passionate about empowering the underrepresented, improving access to quality education, and strengthening diversity and inclusion efforts. She understands how systemic inequality disproportionately affects minority families by providing fewer opportunities for economic mobility. Consequently, she has devoted her time and energy to building a more just equitable world.

As a child, Jauqua and her mother attended events that celebrated Black culture in the United States. These events gave Jauqua a strong sense of belonging and a positive self-image. After earning a bachelor's degree in biology at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a master's degree in education at American International University, Jauqua began teaching biology and algebra in special education classrooms. She believes that educating her local community is a way to close wealth gaps, and her teaching experience includes work at Southwest Charter, Hickman Mills C-1 school district, the Economic Opportunity Foundation, and the Full Employment Council. While teaching at the Economic Opportunity Foundation, she was awarded the mentor of the year award for 2009-2010.

In 2013, Jauqua became a career development specialist at MINACT, Inc., where she assisted students in developing the skills needed to find meaningful job opportunities. Jauqua later served as the Vice President of Programs and Operations at the Urban League of Greater Kansas City from 2016 to 2021. She crafted policies and programs, set strategic goal-setting initiatives, and conducted evaluations within the Urban League. In 2021, Jauqua became the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Manager II at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri. In this position, she helped implement new programs and policies that highlighted disparities of accessibility and outcomes. Jauqua was promoted as the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at the Oracle Cerner Corporation. In addition to creating cultural and diversity programs, she now develops and implements procedures with an inclusive decision making process. Jauqua's experience as a Diversity and Inclusion officer will serve as a powerful asset not only to the Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City, but also to the greater Kansas City community.

Moreover, Jauqua has been a very active member within her community. Her service experience includes being a part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,--Mu Omega Chapter. She currently serves on the University of Missouri Extension and Engagement Advisory Committee. In this role, she serves as a catalyst by building connections between people, communicating the value of the committee's work, and receiving feedback from others on how to improve Missourians' lives. She was also a part of the KC Chamber Centurions Leadership Program and Steering Committee of the Apex Class of 2022. Jauqua served as a council member of the YMCA People Service Council and as a secretary of the Kansas City International School Board. In addition, Jauqua has been recognized by the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Societas Docta for her advocacy in Civil Rights. Jauqua has served in numerous leadership roles within the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Jauqua has shown time after time that she is a mission-driven and visionary leader who does exceptionally well while in leadership roles. There's no doubt in my mind that Jauqua is a great addition to the Black Achievers Society of Greater Kansas City. Mr. Speaker, please join me in applauding Jauqua Wilkins for all her contributions to our community and the great work that she will continue to do.

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