Jennie Patterson

Program Manager

Jennie Patterson is the Program Manager for the National Racial Equity Initiative (NREI) at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF). She will be responsible for the day-to-day planning, coordination, and implementation of NREI and CPAR programming. Jennie will collaborate as a thought partner to the Senior Director and will be responsible for coordinating the activities and events of the Initiative and Department, giving detailed attention to program strategy, and developing sustainable systems to ensure the execution of high-caliber programs.

Before joining CBCF, Jennie served as the Policy & Advocacy Manager at the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). In this capacity, she played a crucial role in advancing NBCDI’s policy and advocacy work to realize the organization’s mission of creating an equitable and just future for Black children and families. Jennie managed NBCDI’s Policy Fellowship program as well as national advocacy campaigns focused on Prenatal-3 and Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Care.

Jennie’s educational background includes bachelor’s degrees in International Studies and Spanish from Spelman College and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. During her time at McCourt, she held leadership positions in several student organizations, including serving as President of the Georgetown Black Graduate Student Alliance and Director of Social Programs of the McCourt Student Association. She was also selected as a McCourt Leadership Fellow, participating in intensive training in the Foundations program focused on leadership, community, equity, team-building, and coaching. She mentored and guided first-year students in the Foundations program during Orientation.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Jennie is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Her passion for advancing racial equity through policy and advocacy extends beyond her professional work. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Advocate for Social Justice Committee for her sorority. In her free time, Jennie enjoys movies, yoga, and long walks.