Her Story
About Nakita
I've been in the field of education, workforce development, and reentry for almost 30 years. Currently, I serve as Senior Director of Programs and Services at the City University of New York's John Jay College, Institute for Justice and Opportunity, a position I've held for nearly 2 years. Throughout my career, I've worked for several nonprofits, including the public library and LaGuardia Community College within CUNY. A great deal of my work is in partnership with District Attorney's offices, parole, and probation, as well as workforce development training programs throughout New York City. My primary areas of expertise involve listening to the needs of those we serve, being that voice to set the table to move policy or create programming to help them advance. I am really passionate about making sure people are successful beyond the barriers of their past. I research, I listen, and I try to stay informed of what's going on in the industry so that I'm able to make an innovative impact. I approach everything I do from the perspective of 'what if that was my father, my brother, my uncle,' and I always move with integrity and humility.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Nakita
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the humbleness of my family and my beginnings. Everything that I do comes from thinking, what if that was my father, my brother, my uncle, or my own family member? I'm always humble and curious, because you never know - the same ones you try to step over and don't use integrity with could be the same ones who determine your future. So I always move with integrity, and always stay humble. Beyond that, it's about sticking to it, because there's a lot of ups and downs when it comes to funding, different administrations, and different highs and lows. But I stay consistent, stay connected, and collaborate so that I myself can thrive and keep pushing, and not be swayed by the variances that go on in the industry, education, and politics. Ultimately, it's just continuously helping people thrive, and having people reach back out with gratitude, affirming that the work I'm doing makes a difference.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay true to yourself and always be balanced. Never be defined by your title, and never sacrifice who you are by the roles that you perceive. Always stay curious, and always have a seat at the table, not on the sidelines. Always have a voice.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · New York
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.