Jahrell Thomas

Jahrell serves as the Chief Operations Officer at the Coalition for Responsible Community Development. He successfully developed comprehensive workforce development programs rooted in trauma-informed care and reinforced best practice programming across CRCD Workforce Development Departments, including youth programs such as South LA YouthBuild (YouthBuild USA), Jobs for Los Angeles Graduates (Jobs for America’s Graduates), VCN YouthSource Center, and Project Tipping Point for current and former foster youth and the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department funded Vernon-Central/LATTC WorkSource Center for residents 18 years and older. During his 18 year tenure at CRCD, Jahrell has held a variety of positions at CRCD including youth advocate, program manager, associate director, director of youth development, and chief programs officer. He has been an advocate for workforce development and education inclusion/diversity since joining CRCD in 2005. Since then, he has developed and designed proven model programs for CRCD and expanded services to youth and adults in Los Angeles that experience the greatest barriers to education and employment. After witnessing and personally experiencing social and economic injustices, he decided to prioritize focusing on creating opportunities and alternatives to reduce incarceration, homelessness, and unemployment.