The State of Collin County…is “Cautionary”
…. notes from our video chat with June Jenkins
Since February, Collin County has captured the attention and headlines of incidents involving three black males, ages 13- 26. With over one million people and a 2.86% growth rate in the last year, we wondered what type of social impact it could have on the county.
To have a conversation, we sought a “voice” to help frame a discussion and perspective from the lens of a social justice and equality advocate. June Jenkins, President, Collin County NAACP, visited over coffee, to share her outlook on The State of Collin County.
With over 37 years in business, she was named a 2020 “Girl Boss”, Plano Magazine. An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and Junior League of Collin County, Jenkins serves in a volunteer capacity, as president, of the local NAACP chapter.
Before we could get her viewpoint on Collin County, we needed to know how the “call to action” leader was doing personally.
How is June Jenkins handling the relentless pressure of fighting for social justice?
“I’m doing okay, as well as can be expected. Like you said, it’s a lot going on right now and I’m just in prayer a lot. I take time to just stop and smell the roses. Stay involved with Church.”
“The thing is a lot of times the first place you go is to prayer to seek out God for guidance and wisdom when dealing with all that we’re dealing with right now. What’s unique right now with COVID, church is not traditional right now, and you’re meeting on zoom. So, that makes it difficult with all of the other things going on right now.”
“And spending a lot of girlfriend time. I have three other women that have been there with me at all times, and we all had our vaccinations. So, we went out and ventured and did a lunch together. That was relaxing.”
What do you feel is the State of Collin County right now?
“Well, I feel that the state of Collin County is Cautionary. I think that there are some good things that happen within the county. More recently, you might have seen where Chief Ed Drain just issued a statement policy where he is no longer doing an arrest of individuals with less than two ounces of marijuana. That was a result of our Community Conversations.”
“So, two things came out of that. In addition, the other thing that came out of that is an Expunction Initiative we just launched with the Collin County District Attorney”.
What can people who look like me who aren’t Black but are feeling outraged at what they’re seeing do to participate, either as individuals or organizations?
“So, when it comes to what we as a community can do, I say the number one thing is get engaged, get involved.”
“…go to a school board meeting when we look at the issue that happened with a 13-year-old bullying, listen to what’s going on, get engaged, get involved.”
“We’ve got an election coming up, go out and look at the records of those individuals who are running for your school board. Pick the person that’s going to best address the needs that you have, call the individuals that are running for office, or send them an email, find out who they are and what they’re about. I think you have to get engaged in the process.”
What is your 2021 plan to positively impact social justice and equity?
Check out https://www.collincountynaacp.org/ and FREE RESOURCES to jump start a call to action.
-Pamela Zeigler-Petty
PS: If you have not watched our interview you can watch it here: Pamela Zeigler-Petty Interview with June Jenkins, the state of Collin County