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Jerome Underwood
Jerome Underwood
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Jerome Underwood
President & CEO, Action for a Better Community, Inc.
Years in current role: 5
What was your biggest challenge in 2022?
Without any doubt, our most significant challenge in 2022 was dealing with the impact of an unprecedented number of vacant positions at ABC. We, like many, experienced staffing shortages across the agency. However, our vacancy rates were highest in our Early Childhood Division, where we operate our Head Start and Early Head Start programs. In particular, our shortage of required certified teachers and teachers’ assistants meant that we were unable to open some classrooms. As a result, we were unable to serve approximately 400 children, depriving them of the critical development they need.
What are your priorities for 2023?
Priorities for 2023 are: 1) completing ABC’s next strategic plan; 2) addressing our staffing challenge; 3) continuing to advocate for systemic changes in laws, policies and practices which would lead to a more just and equitable Rochester and Monroe County; and 4) to collaborate with others on various violence prevention initiatives. The level of violence we saw in 2022 is unacceptable. We must do better. We will continue to be part of that work with a focus on youth development and strengthening families.
What is your favorite way to relieve stress?
My favorite was to relieve stress is not to allow it in the first place. For the times that human frailty leads to stress, there are a couple go-to strategies that work well for me like cycling with our crew, the ROC City Riders, which is something I look forward to if the temperature is above 50 degrees. Probably the most effective stress reliever for me is spending time with my family here in Rochester and in Antigua & Barbuda and Jamaica.
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This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power 100 list for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net. |
