Yolanda Jackson Inspires Columbus through Resilience and Passion

Photo courtesy of Yolanda Jackson

Name: Yolanda Jackson
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Age: 41
Profession: Associate Vice President of Economic Mobility at The Columbus Urban League
Neighborhood: East Columbus
Education: Bachelor’s of Art in Social Work from Wright State University, Master’s of Science in Marketing and Communications from Franklin University
Favorite local spots in Columbus: Upper Cup Coffee, Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen, Yelo Aple, Black Art Plus, and The Royce
Community Involvement: Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated -Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter, Board Member of Steps of Love Corporation-Poverty Alleviator and homeless prevention 501c3, 2022 Graduate of CYP Columbus Impact Academy
Quote: “People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.” -Unknown
Connect: LinkedIn

At 41, Yolanda Jackson is not just the Associate Vice President of Economic Mobility at The Columbus Urban League; she is a beacon of inspiration and a product of the resilient Linden community in Columbus. Raised primarily by a single mother, Yolanda’s journey shaped her into a passionate leader dedicated to inspiring others to reach their highest potential.

Each morning, Yolanda embraces the grace of a new day and follows a routine that includes a crucial cup of coffee. Her career advice emphasizes the importance of self-care, recognizing the need to keep one’s cup full to effectively support others.

A lover of music and art, Yolanda finds solace in the vintage sound of vinyl albums and the therapeutic act of painting. Her favorite local spots in Columbus, including Upper Cup Coffee and Ena’s Caribbean Kitchen, reflect her love for unique and vibrant places.

From a childhood fascination with international business to following a calling in social work during college, Yolanda’s diverse experiences have led her to a career focused on community upliftment. Engaged with books like “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek and “The Deeper the Roots” by Michael Tubbs, she values continuous learning.

Recognized with the Next Up Columbus award, Yolanda sees it as validation that her work is valuable and necessary. Her vision for the “pulse” of Columbus is vibrant and pulsing with life, where connectivity, ease, and access form the lifeline of urban activity, inviting more people to contribute to the city’s flourishing spirit. Yolanda’s path is not just led with intention but also paves the way for generations to follow with impactful action.

The Next Up Columbus Awards highlight emerging leaders who are connectors and ambassadors in central Ohio and who are making a positive impact on the future of Columbus. The Columbus Young Professionals Club would like to offer special thanks to our 2023 co-presenters, Discover Financial, Ohio Dominican University and Quantum Health for their support of this year’s awards program. Meet the entire “Class of 2023” »