His paternal grandparents were sharecroppers, so Demetrius Jordan said he knows what home ownership can mean to those who have never owned a house. Not only does it build generational wealth, it also stabilizes a family, a neighborhood and a community.
The chance to help provide affordable housing is one of several reasons Jordan wanted to be the new executive director of the Athens Land Trust. He described himself as a “business guy who worked with nonprofits and who wants to do mission-driven work.”
A graduate of Morehouse College, Jordan grew up in Southwest Atlanta, where his father worked for Delta and his mother worked for Bell Labs. After he graduated, a Morehouse connection led Jordan to the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in Washington, which sent him to Cambodia.
He and his wife, Maryam, lived for three years in Japan, where they taught English before returning to Atlanta. They currently live in Gwinnett County, but plan to move to Athens after their youngest child graduates from high school in the spring.
Jordan has worked for the United Way of Gwinnett and the United Way of Greater Atlanta. He has co-owned Inside Gwinnett Magazine. And he’s done private consulting with a variety of public and private groups that focus on leadership, strategic planning and executive coaching.
“He’s a great person, super engaged with the community,” said Nick Masino, CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce. “I’ve hired him as a consultant and have had him on retainer at times. He’ll be great in that job.”
According to Jordan, the Athens Land Trust “has stood the test of time, and people involved with it are passionate about the work of land conservation and affordable housing.”
One of his first tasks, he said, is to listen to the land trust’s many stakeholders—elected officials, donors, people living in the community—to find out what people want and what they need.
“I think Demetrius really has a servant’s heart,” said Dave Williams, senior vice president for public policy and talent at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. The two men met years ago through Leadership Gwinnett and have followed each other’s careers. “He’s compassionate, very thoughtful and very smart. He listens and learns. I think he’s going to listen to people and then build trust.”
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