Janai N. McKissick, Board Secretary

Janai N. McKissick is a proud native of Jacksonville, Florida; a classically trained vocalist and an educator born and raised in Duval County as the daughter and granddaughter of prominent leaders on her maternal and paternal sides. 

Growing up, Janai always found herself at the intersection of ministry, education and community engagement through initiatives with her home church’s children and youth departments, at school, and around the Jacksonville community. She has volunteered with various educational programs like Saturday School (B.E.S.T. Academy) and Summer school through her home church, Bethel Baptist Institutional Church, tutoring children and youth around the city, and volunteering time with organizations such as Hope’s Closet and Clara White Mission, Inc. 

Janai graduated from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Florida and went forth to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Hampton University. Upon graduating, Janai was accepted to perform at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia as part of an Honors Performance Series with various young artists and vocalists from across the nation. Janai began teaching at Woodland Acres Elementary School in Jacksonville, Florida as a literacy tutor with AmeriCorps, Inc. through Communities in Schools, Inc. She continued to teach during her move to Orlando, Florida and later began working at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts as Administrative Assistant to their Programming department, later, as a Coordinator with their Education department. 

Janai currently serves as District Aide to State Senator LaVon Bracy Davis for Senate District 15. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated by way of the Orange County (FL) Alumnae Chapter as well as Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity through the Orlando Alumnae Chapter. Additionally, she serves as Interim Secretary for Pine Hills Community Council Board of Directors.