The Jeremiah Program (JP) Brooklyn celebrated the graduation of 15 mothers and 10 children on June 27 at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
Among the program successes was Nickiesha Salmon, a recent graduate of Medgar Evers College with an associate’s degree in teacher education. Salmon, a single mother of two boys, joined JP Brooklyn in January 2024 after discovering it through immigration resources. Her journey began at an open house event, where she felt an immediate sense of belonging. The support and sisterhood she found within the program, particularly from her family coach, have been pivotal in her educational journey.
The JP was founded in 1993 by Michael J. O’Connell, who recognized the need for coordinated support for single mothers in college and their children. The program, which started its first campus in Minneapolis, Minn., has since expanded to serve nine cities across the United States. JP operates as a national nonprofit with a proven strategy for disrupting generational poverty by empowering families to achieve economic independence and transform their life narratives.
JP Brooklyn, launched in 2017, is making significant strides in supporting its community. In 2024, JP Brooklyn supported 341 mothers and children through its two-generation programming, with 170 children benefiting from JP-funded summer enrichment opportunities and 117 mothers pursuing their post-secondary education journeys.
Initially, Salmon pursued a nursing degree, but she soon realized it wasn’t her calling. After discussions with an English professor, she shifted her focus to teacher education, inspired by her involvement in her youngest child’s life, who is on the autism spectrum. Now, she is set to continue her education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in education. Her ultimate goal is to give back to her community, especially to families with children on the autism spectrum.
Tiana Stowers-Pearson, executive director of JP Brooklyn, can attest to the success of Salmon and many other mothers. Stowers-Pearson, who holds a JD but does not currently practice law, has dedicated her life to human services and nonprofit work. Her experience spans various roles in organizations such as the Manhattan Child Advocacy Center and New York Communities for Change.
For Stowers-Pearson, working at JP Brooklyn is a dream job: It combines her passions for law, policy, and service to mothers and children. Coming from a lineage of strong women, she understood the importance of education and the value of community support. Her grandmother had 13 children, all of whom eventually earned college degrees, setting a precedent for Stowers-Pearson when she became a mother at a young age.
Reflecting on her journey, Stowers-Pearson said, “When I had my son as a young teenager, I never questioned whether I would go to college. That came from me seeing other strong, resilient women hold up their families during trying times but also pursue their own goals.” She emphasized the vital role of community, stating that “it takes a village” to raise children successfully.
JP Brooklyn’s mission focuses on economic mobility, addressing challenges faced by many mothers, such as the fear of losing housing assistance if they accept full-time jobs. To address these issues, JP Brooklyn has initiated new focus groups involving staff and mothers to identify service gaps, working collaboratively to co-create effective programs.
“At JP Brooklyn, we want to build that sisterhood and that network and that supportive community for moms,” Stowers-Pearson said.