Von Jennings' Bio
Von Jennings has a career in governmental affairs and economic development that spans twenty-one years across the state of Louisiana as well as projects in Mississippi, North Carolina, Kansas and Ohio. Jennings established herself as a talented grant writer and project manager implementing numerous workforce programs under initiatives such as School-to-Work, JTPA, WIA, TANF, STEP, Tech Prep & Carl Perkins. Some of the highlights included working for the Governor’s Office of Women Services during the Mike Foster Administration and being elected to serve as the Chairperson of Governor Kathleen Blanco’s Louisiana Women Leaders Conference for Northeast and Central Louisiana.
Later, Jennings was chosen to serve as a project manager consultant for minority and women business participation on several multi-million-dollar construction projects including three airport expansions as well as a public transportation system. In addition, Jennings provided business consulting and outreach on a $232 million state construction project for the Louisiana Community Technical College System specifically educating minority and women contractors as well as other stakeholders through-out the state of Louisiana on constructions contract opportunities.
Jennings’ professional consulting has also taken her into the nonprofit sector as she has assisted numerous community & faith-based groups to organize nonprofit organizations and earn tax exempt status to pursue grant funding for various community projects. These projects include but are not be limited to training programs, affordable housing, youth development and housing for senior citizens. Although she has worked on numerous projects, three of her favorite projects include designing programs and securing funds for juvenile justice reentry programs, organizing youth entrepreneurship experiences and securing funds from the U. S. treasury to aid a struggling minority credit union in Toledo, Ohio.
She has also been a very engaged and active community leader. Jennings is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc; The Links, Inc, the Junior League & a life member of the Grambling State University National Alumni Association. In addition, she has served on numerous boards for various community and civic involvement. In 2011, Jennings received the U.S. President Volunteer Service Award during Obama Administration from the National Corporation of Community Service for exemplary commitment to volunteer service.
Currently, Jennings works as a consultant to governmental affairs, economic development and community development projects on projects throughout the United States.