Jessica Renee Styles

At the core of everything I do are my children. They are the reason I kept going on the days I wanted to give up. They may be young, but they’ve taught me more about strength, resilience, and purpose than anyone ever could. I wanted them to see (really see) that where you start in life does not define where you end up. That no matter what you’ve been through or what anyone says you’re capable of, you can still push forward and build something meaningful.

I didn’t just want to tell them that, I needed to show them. I wanted them to grow up knowing they have a choice. That they can break cycles, make better decisions, and create a life they’re proud of.

And alongside them is my mom, my best friend, my foundation. I’m adopted, and she has never let me feel like anything less than chosen and deeply loved. She has been my constant, my biggest supporter, and the one person who never stopped believing in me, even when things were at their hardest.

Everything I’m building, everything I’m fighting for; it’s for them.

The career advice that guides me is simple: don’t let injustice be the referee of your soul. It’s a principle I’ve carried with me, and it continues to shape how I move through every professional space.

The reality is, the workplace is not always fair. You may not receive the promotion you’ve earned, even when you are the most qualified. At times, external factors such as politics or bias influence outcomes in ways that fall outside of merit. Those moments can feel discouraging, but they do not have to define you.

I believe in maintaining integrity regardless of circumstance. Injustice should never dictate the kind of professional you choose to be. You continue to show up, you continue to do the work, and you continue to lead with consistency and accountability. Even when things don’t go as planned, you don’t alter your standards, you reinforce them.

Because at the end of the day, your character and work ethic should never be determined by the environment around you, but by the values you choose to uphold.

Don't be afraid to use your voice. Always speak up and tell the truth, even if you are standing alone.

One of the biggest challenges in this work is bringing people together around issues that are often difficult, personal, or uncomfortable to discuss. Safe Steps Alabama Community Connections has grown beyond focusing solely on domestic violence and victim services. Our work now connects people, organizations, businesses, and community partners across a wide range of needs, while still addressing the systems and accountability gaps that inspired this work in the first place.

That growth has taught me that meaningful community work requires resilience and adaptability. Not every idea will receive an immediate yes, every partnership will not work out, and progress rarely happens exactly as planned. I have learned to view rejection as an opportunity to reassess, find another approach, and keep moving forward.

Many of the people involved with Safe Steps bring their own lived experiences, professional backgrounds, and reasons for wanting to serve their communities. Those different perspectives are one of our greatest strengths. I may have founded the organization, but I do not believe leadership means being the only voice in the room. It means listening, recognizing what others bring to the table, and creating space for people to contribute their knowledge, experiences, and ideas.

As Safe Steps continues building community collaborations throughout Alabama, I am learning that success is not measured by avoiding obstacles. It is measured by how we respond to them. Persistence matters, but so do humility, flexibility, collaboration, and the willingness to keep learning.

The goal is not to have all the answers. It is to bring the right people together, connect communities with the resources and support already around them, identify where gaps still exist, and work collectively toward something better.

I place a strong emphasis on integrity, both personally and professionally. I would rather receive honest, difficult feedback than be presented with a false sense of reassurance that ultimately undermines trust. Transparency creates a foundation for growth, accountability, and informed decision-making.

This commitment to honesty directly influences how I lead and collaborate with others. Trust within a team is built through open communication, consistency, and a shared understanding that integrity will always be prioritized over convenience.

I also believe that effective teamwork is essential to any organization’s success. True collaboration requires individuals to look beyond themselves and remain invested in the well-being and contributions of others. When a team operates with mutual respect, shared responsibility, and a collective purpose, it creates an environment where both individuals and the organization can thrive.