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Mission Statement

JCDC (Jonesboro Community Development Corporation) bridges the gap to better health for marginalized communities by creating pathways through education, community development, and access to essential resources.

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Events

  • 6:00 pm
  • June 28th
  • Hilton Garden Inn
Men Who Cook Annual Fundraiser
  • Time TBD
  • Date TBD
  • Location TBD
Cooking Matters Class
  • Time TBD
  • Date TBD
  • Location TBD
Annual Health Fair
  • Time TBD
  • Date TBD
  • Location TBD
Diabetes Support Group

Bridge the Gap—Join Us in Creating Healthier Communities

Get Involved

Brenda Butler

Arkansas Community Corrections - Board Member

Brenda A. Butler is a 1983 graduate of Brinkley High School. A graduate of Arkansas State University, from which she earned degrees in both Criminology and Psychology. Brenda is a licensed minister at Fullness Of Joy Ministries in Jonesboro, AR. She is a Notary Republic, She is a writer, author, poet, playwright and monologist.  

She is a member of AAADAC Arkansas Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors. She serves on the board of NEA Divine Intervention (founder Shalinda Woolbright) and In His Wings Ministry (founder Jennifer Tarwater). 

Miss Butler is presently employed by The Department of Correction where she holds the position of Assistant Treatment Program Manager. She has been with this state agency 27 years serving as a treatment coordinator, substance abuse program leader and drug court advisor.

Lillie Fears

Arkansas State University – Chairman of the Board

Coming soon…

Emma Agnew

Founder & CEO

Emma Agnew is a seasoned community leader and social justice advocate with over 30 years of experience championing equity, health, and economic empowerment for underserved populations in Northeast Arkansas. As the Founder and Executive Director of the North Jonesboro Community Development Corporation (NJCDC), she leads initiatives that address social determinants of health, promote financial literacy, and support the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population—working individuals who struggle to afford basic necessities despite being employed. 

Before establishing NJCDC, Emma served as the Program Coordinator for the City of Jonesboro’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, where she managed federal funds aimed at improving housing and community development for low- and moderate-income residents. She also coordinated the North Jonesboro Neighborhood Initiative (NJNI), fostering community engagement and organizing events like the “Spread Your Change” Festival to unite and uplift local residents. 

Emma’s commitment to public service extends to her involvement in local governance; she has dedicated seven years to local government and nonprofit community service, advocating for the needs of marginalized communities. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her a place on the Community Advisory Board of the Delta Population Health Institute, where she collaborates with other leaders to address health disparities across the region. 

Driven by a passion for social justice, Emma Agnew continues to work tirelessly to ensure that all voices in her community are heard and that equitable resources are accessible to those in need.

Shamal Carter

CRDC – Board Member

Shamal Carter is a dedicated community leader, public health advocate, and champion for equity and education. He currently serves as Chair of Concerned Citizens of Jonesboro and President of the Craighead County NAACP. Shamal holds a Master’s in Public Health from Liberty University and is a proud alumnus of Arkansas State University. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Arkansas Early Learning, where he helps guide initiatives that support children and families across the state. With a strong commitment to social justice, Shamal has led numerous grassroots efforts focused on youth empowerment, health equity, and civic engagement.

Corey Mills

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation - Treasurer

Corey Mills is a native of West Memphis, AR, and a graduate of the West Memphis Blue Devils Class of 1994. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing Management from Arkansas State University, where he also became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Corey has a diverse background in business, finance, and community development. As an entrepreneur, he has owned and operated several businesses in the entertainment and music industry, tax preparation franchises and service bureaus for tax preparation companies, real estate acquisition and management. He also spent time working in the nonprofit sector during the Obama Care era where he helped expand healthcare access to those in need.

His career in mortgage banking began as a Community Development Mortgage Lender for Cadence Bank (formerly BancorpSouth), where he helped individuals and families achieve homeownership. He is now a Mortgage Loan Officer with Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, licensed in Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas.

Beyond his professional work, Corey is committed to community engagement. He founded the Black Professionals Network of Jonesboro, which supports networking and growth opportunities for black professionals in the area. He also serves on the Land Bank Commission of Jonesboro, working to revitalize and repurpose vacant properties for community benefit.

Corey is a devoted husband to Ruth Hegwood-Mills and a proud father to Chance and Jayden Mills. He values family, community, economic development, and helping others achieve financial stability.

Sharon Johnson

ASU-Newport – Secretary

Sharon Johnson is a member of the Refreshing Springs Ministry Church of God In Christ. Sharon serves as a licensed Evangelist Missionary. She is a teacher, youth leader/mentor, and intercessory prayer warrior.

She is an active member of her community. For two consecutive years, she received the City of Jonesboro Volunteer Award for her work in the community. She has assisted with the development of low-income housing for underprivileged and marginalized communities and worked as a volunteer in the Church of the Highland Dream Center’s After School Enrichment Program for several years. 

As an educator and businesswoman, Sharon has excellent communication and leadership skills with proficiency in student academics, retention, and student support. Sharon is an interdisciplinary individual with experience in teaching, academic administration, recruitment, academic counseling/advising, student performance, and mental conditioning with both youth and adults.

Sharon is a proud alumnus of Arkansas State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources and later her Master of Science in Education. 

Sharon is presently employed at Arkansas State University-Newport Adult Education, where she serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator.