Senior Director of Place-Based Initiatives
Jesse Villalobos is the Senior Director of Place-Based Initiatives at the new Race Forward. The new Race Forward is the union of two leading racial justice non-profit organizations: Race Forward and Center for Social Inclusion (CSI). As Senior Strategist, Jesse works with the program team on strategy, communications, and technical assistance toward structural racial equity.
Informed and inspired by movements for social change, Jesse has worked for racial justice in partnership with numerous grassroots groups, community-based organizations, and colleges and universities. His former roles include leading regional policy and programmatic efforts at the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) and heading the university’s social justice initiatives at The New School. As a seasoned consultant, Jesse has provided strategic support among activists and organizers, artists, policy makers, youth and students, educators, and media leadership, working to advance movements for transformative social change.
Jesse holds a B.A. in Social Work and an M.A. in Media Studies & Communications.