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JANICE ELAINE McKINNIE

Janice Elaine McKinnie serves as Executive Director for True Community Development Corporation, the development arm of True Bethel Baptist Church which she was instrumental in creating, a former (pioneer) Administrator of True Bethel Baptist Church where she served in her role as the church’s first administrator for 10 years as well as served as the Executive Assistant to Bishop, Darius G. Pridgen. Janice is currently an active member an officer of the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she is on the board for the Parent Network of WNY as well as The Resource Council of WNY.
Janice has been the organizer of many important initiatives in Buffalo to include, but not limited to administrating the first multi-million dollar “Technical Assistance” grant from NY State for the clean-up efforts of 858 E. Ferry Street a hazardous waste site with oversight from the Department of Environmental Conservation. The clean- up efforts of this East side property along with community support and collaboration has enabled Janice to successfully redevelop this site now called True Bethel Town Homes a 30 unit multi-family project, True Bethel Senior Estates- 50 units of senior housing and Woodlawn Housing Development- the new construction of single family homes creating home ownership on the East Side of Buffalo, E. Ferry Homes the second phase of single family homes are completed and sold. In 2012 Janice stepped into entrepreneurship creating Developments BY JEM a consulting firm specializing in pre development planning, business development and consultation for organizations looking to reinvest in building sustainable communities through housing, retail and workforce development.

Awards and honors received Community Service Award for the coordination of the City-Wide “Safe Summer” Stop the Violence initiative from Buffalo Weed & Seed, YWCA WNY Girls, Inc. award, Building Women and Communities Award, Inaugural Class of the Mayor’s Citizens’ Participation Academy, Women Making History Loyalty Award as well as featured in Black WNY- September 2014 issue as the “Quiet Builder”. Janice loves to share with young women, focusing on pregnant and parenting teens to instill in them the will and confidence to succeed against all odds.

Janice was born and raised in Buffalo, NY attending Buffalo Public Schools and Mount St. Joseph Academy High School. Janice graduated from the State University College at Buffalo, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Communication and receiving her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Medaille College. She is also a licensed real estate agent with Barnes Real Estate Group.

Janice lives in Buffalo with her husband Sean and is proud of her 6 daughters and 4 grandchildren. In the words of Oprah Winfrey: Don’t worry about being successful but work toward being significant and the success will naturally follow.
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