
In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.
Introducing, June Jenkins, President of Collin County Nation Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). June leads the Collin County Branch of the NAACP as they continue to promote social justice and equality throughout Collin County. The Branch strives to fight for equality through civic advocacy initiatives. Their members are committed to improving the political, educational, social and economic status of minorities and to eliminating racial prejudice through educating the public on the adverse effects of racism. Today, the strategic priorities of the Collin County Branch are to advocate for equal employment opportunities, access to high quality education, youth leadership development, voter mobilization and health. Outside of her role & work with Collin County NAACP and drawing on her 20+ years in corporate leadership, June is the owner of ECP Legacy Group and founder of Noir Lifestyles of Collin County. June has worked tirelessly to ensure the next generation moving to and living in Collin County receives the resources, education, and access to information she lacked upon arrival to Plano in 1986.She recognized the need to hear and share the stories of the Black community, culture, and perspective thus leading her to found Noir Lifestyles of Collin County. In June’s words, “Noir Lifestyles is an inclusive publication that will tell the stories of the African American community.” June is a member of the Junior League of Collin County and a 40-year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she has served in leadership roles at the the local, state, regional and national levels. She is in the current cohort of Leadership North Texas where she is expanding her knowledge of issues in North Texas and deepening her awareness on how to become a better community advocate. As a 38-year resident of Plano, TX, June’s hope and heart is to pave the way for the next generation of world leaders, difference makers, and social justice warriors. She is a force for good and we could not be more honored to have her living in and serving the Plano community.

1. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.
I am a servant leader who serves my community and seeks to help those I serve to grow as individuals. I serve along with other leaders who have similar beliefs and passions. I encourage my team to use their passion and our mission to guide them in creating goals and defining the advocacy work for our organization.
2. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?
My experience has shown me that leadership skills are developed in several ways. First, training and workshops provide “textbook” definitions of leadership skills required to lead. I greatly advocate reading books on leadership styles and stories about successful leaders. Secondly, hands-on experience allows you to exhibit your skills on the job. A 360-degree evaluation review will help identify areas of success and need for improvement. Finally, I think women must have mentors who can help sharpen their leadership skills. Finding male and female mentors who align with your career path is essential. Everyone needs at least one mentor who will tell you the truth no matter how hard it hits. Find mentors outside your job that can give you an unbiased perspective. Your outside mentor will show you another view and prepare you if/when you decide to leave your current work environment.
On another note, your volunteer leadership is an excellent way to strengthen leadership skills. Personally, my leadership in a non-profit organization provided me with some of the best experiences for my corporate leadership positions.
3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?
The nature of my role as the President of a civil rights organization presents exposure to many issues that confront residents of our community. Unfortunately, some cases resulted in the loss of life, while other issues can have a life-changing impact on the trajectory of a young child. Therefore, I must be empathetic and compassionate when listening to issues, diligent in documenting issues, and resolute in advocating for changes in the process to eliminate discrimination.
4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader? Issues regarding discrimination are never considered an opportunity for a joyful occasion; however, I think the outcomes of our cases create energy for me to continue my advocacy work. We have several issues that come before our group. One case that I would share involved a young teenage boy who was wrongfully accused. Our work on this case alongside the young man’s attorney resulted in a thorough investigation and charges being dropped. When I got in my car, tears rolled down my eyes because I realized that had the young man not had our support, he could have become another statistic in the school-to-prison pipeline.
5. What has been your greatest career disappointment? I would like to publicly recognize the leaders/members of our organization for their volunteer work in the community. However, the nature of our work requires discretion, and our impact is not always visible. As a result, the community often does not understand our efforts in working with the city leaders, school system, and law enforcement. What did you learn from it? I realize that what matters is the “thank you” we receive from the people we serve. I constantly challenge myself and the team to “do the good work anyway.” I use our annual meeting to recognize our leaders and submit our efforts for state recognition and awards. Recently, six of our leaders were recognized for their work on programs and issues in Collin County.
6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace? Leadership in the workplace must be diverse and reflect the people it serves both internally and externally. Until there is representation at every level of the organization, true inclusion will never be achieved. Inclusion must be a continuous goal of the organization that MUST be a measured, key metric. What is not measured is not done.
Some organizations spend 2-3 years putting together a DEI team/plan and are still working on recommendations for the next steps. At the same time, successful organizations have identified “quick hits” that can be implemented immediately while working to define a long-term solution.
7. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?
When I was 25 years old, I worked in Plano but did all my volunteer work outside of Plano. As I got more engaged in my local community, I realized there were opportunities in my own backyard. So, take time to enjoy the space you live in. Get involved in your areas of passion and determine how you can serve/give back to your local community. Yes, Plano is one of the wealthiest cities/counties in the country, and yes, there are people with needs and need your helping hand.
8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?
I love everything I see in our next generation of female leaders who are not afraid to go after what they want, yet they speak out if you push them down a path not aligned with their dreams. Female leaders today are climbing the ladder of success much more quickly than in previous generations and they speak up and speak out. So, continue – Reading books; they make you a better leader. Travel as much as possible – it helps you become a more inclusive leader. Take a gap year/Continue to care for your mental health– it deepens your compassion and appreciation of self-care/self-love. Continue to believe that you don’t have to wait for a 30-year successful career and family to begin to live your best life – it makes you a better leader!
9. Who inspired you and why?
My parents. My mom was a teacher, and my dad was a principal. They had a lifelong career in Education for the hard of hearing/deaf. I learned how to advocate from my parents. I often remember going with my parents to meetings with state legislators to support their students. I think my experience of growing up on the campus of a deaf school and watching how people often responded to people with a disability led me to my involvement with the NAACP and other groups that advocate for civil/human rights.
10. What do you want to be remembered for?
I did what I could to help make my community a better place.