Sylvia James Fortenberry serves as a board member and volunteer at Jion Academy. During a career of more than 40 years, she served as Office Manager for the UFCW Butcher’s Union and Executive Secretary for the Imani Community Church, and currently serves as the Executive Secretary of the Downs Memorial United Methodist church and part-time Administrative Assistant for the Downs Community Development Corporation.

As a University of California, Berkeley Psychology major, her observations¸ strong communication skills and support have helped build a solid informational platform for numerous parents and helped mentor and support many students throughout her 40 years of community service. She has proven to be an excellent resource in helping program participants at Jion Academy complete their college applications and draft their personal statements. Sylvia’s lifelong passion for working with children, teens, and young adults is demonstrated by her extensive work with the “A Better Chance Organization” (ABC), the NHBC Faith Outreach organization, I Have a Dream Program and other youth groups and associations. Sylvia also volunteers at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, reading to K-3 grade school students, tutoring, and providing college-bound workshops. Sylvia is the mother of twin daughters: a High School Vice Principal, and an Employment Attorney, and also has four lovely grandchildren. She lives in Oakland, California.