Jonathan Osei
Jonathan Osei is a social impact professional dedicated to advancing economic mobility across a range of social causes, including local housing and employment solutions, age-friendly banking initiatives with National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and AARP, and the promotion of job quality for economic advancement. In his most recent role at Jobs For the Future (JFF) as Manager of Solutions Design and Delivery, he worked with regional workforce leaders to modernize the public workforce system’s approaches, technologies, and processes, aligning them with the evolving dynamics of learning and working environments. Beyond his professional endeavors, he notably volunteered in Washington D.C. as the Housing Up Associate Board Chair, developing programming to support community residents’ needs.
Before joining JFF, Jonathan’s contributions at the National Community Action Partnership included providing technical assistance and programmatic support. Jonathan Osei invigorated his journey in the national nonprofit sector at the National Fund for Workforce Solutions, where he analyzed social relationships within a 30+ workforce funder network and supported initiatives to translate workforce equity data into actionable local strategies for communities, bridge the digital divide, integrate trauma informed care practices in the workplace, and expand access to work-based learning.
Jonathan’s early engagement in social impact was ignited at StepUp Durham through job coaching and offering comprehensive support to community members, underscoring his deep commitment to service and economic empowerment. Born in California and raised in Arizona, he is proud of his Ghanaian and Black Southern heritage, which has greatly influenced his dedication to community and social justice.
A Duke University alumnus, Jonathan graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, attracted to the field’s interdisciplinary approach to addressing complex societal issues. His time at Duke was marked by involvement in various roles that deepened his focus on community, racial equity, ethics, and social justice. Volunteering with the Community Empowerment Fund laid the groundwork for his social impact career, providing a strong foundation in community financial education, advocacy, and direct service. In 2023, he further enhanced his understanding of social impact frameworks through a Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania.
As a National Urban Fellow, Jonathan aims to broaden his expertise in social impact, particularly in co-creating opportunities for Black and Brown individuals to shape their futures through entrepreneurship and inclusive regional economic development, ultimately improving systemic access to economic opportunities. This fellowship represents a step forward in his lifelong commitment to promoting economic mobility and equity.