Jacqueline Gant, the National Executive Director for the Native American Business Alliance, is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Ontario, Canada with a degree from Harvard University, Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts.  The NABA’s Board of Director’s selected Ms. Gant to serve as the National Executive Director, in January of 2004, not only for her excellent qualifications but her deep dedication toward Native American Entrepreneurship, her connection to her community and her commitment to economic growth for the next seven generations.  An example of Ms. Gant’s commitment is to her Oneida community, where she currently serves as a member of Economic Development Committee. 

As the new Director of NABA, Ms. Gant has brought a sense of stability and direction for the organization, along with her abundance of energy, which has been felt throughout the community, thus, motivating NABA into a positive new direction of camaraderie, achievement and involvement.  Ms. Gant’s goal of building a strong infrastructure within NABA has been established as priority.  Leading the way to promote the NABA as the premier Native business organization throughout the United States and Canada, Ms. Gant has recently been asked by The White House, Washington, DC to participate in a new initiative called Urban Entrepreneur Partnership where the focus is the expansion of business ownership and entrepreneurship among minorities.  The initiative involves nationally recognized organizations such as: the National Urban League, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Business Roundtable. Similarly, Ms. Gant is working closely with NABA’s Board of Directors to introduce its members with new business opportunities, additional benefits and continued promotion of Native American Culture through the Corporate Sector.  Ms. Gant’s interaction with NABA’s membership has been a guiding factor in establishing the direction of new NABA programs with the goal of meeting the needs of its members.

Education:

Aside from her Master of Education Degree from Harvard University, Ms. Gant holds an Associates Degree in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling from Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL, a Graduate Level Paralegal Degree from Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL and a Bachelor of Science Degree, Criminal Justice, from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.  In June, 2004, Ms. Gant was the first Native American featured in the Harvard Education Alumni Magazine which told of her desire and motivation to provide After School Programming for at-risk youth for the purpose of building and developing self-esteem, provide college/leadership opportunities, and to feel “equal” and proud of one’s heritage.  It is her drive and sense of accomplishment that brought an After School Program to Harms Elementary, the school she attended in as a young child and where the dream began for her.

Community Service Work:

In 2003, Ms. Gant started her own non-profit organization called Youth Vision where she currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President.  Youth Vision develops and implements After School Programs and Summer Prevention Camps for at-risk inner-city within the City of Detroit.  Prior to her departure to Harvard, Ms. Gant was also responsible for the implementation of an After School Program at the American Indian Center, Chicago, Illinois and served as a mentor to youth who resided at the Cabrini Green Housing Project in Chicago.  Aside from her commitment to youth, Ms. Gant is committed to volunteerism and has given her time to causes associated with Mentoring of Youth, Issues of Domestic Violence, Native American Civil Rights, and helping to raise awareness for the need of Specialized Treatment of Care for Native American People who are Alcohol and Substance Abuse Users.

Employment:

Prior to employment with NABA, Ms. Gant served as the Assistant Director of the Family Service and Learning Center for UAW/Ford Families and Program Director of After School Programs at The Guidance Center, Southgate, Michigan.  While at Harvard University, Ms. Gant worked as a Supervisor for Graduate Students participating in President Clinton’s American Reads Program where she was responsible for the placement, supervision and marketing of the President’s program for the Graduate School.  For ten years, Ms. Gant was employed with CNA Surety Companies (CNA Insurance Companies), Chicago, Illinois, where she was a Senior Surety Claims Representative in the area of contract and non-contract surety bond claims.  She has also worked as a Paralegal, Worker’s Compensation Claims Examiner and Surety Bond Underwriter.

Personal Facts:

Ms. Gant is very proud of her Native Heritage and takes great pride in her Oneida membership.  Although Ms. Gant is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of the Thames Tribal Community, she is a non-enrolled member of the Munsee-Delware Nation where her father was a member prior to his April, 2004 death.  Her parents were married for 43 years and Ms. Gant finds their marriage an example of a true partnership, independence, strength, and respect.  Ms. Gant has a younger brother, who is a Native Business Owner, College Graduate, and a Father of 3 children.  For fun, Ms. Gant does kickboxing, loves boating, deep sea fishing, and is an Indy and Winston/NASCAR Car Racing fan.  Lastly, she enjoys hitting the Pow-Wow Trail during the summer months and spending time with her nieces and nephew.

For additional information on the Native American Business Alliance and Fund, you can go to www.native-american-bus.org or contact Ms Gant at (248) 988-9344.