Meals on Wheels Atlanta (@mealsonwheelsatlanta) Creative Director Brandon Jenkins (@a_doseofb) brings a fresh energy and innovative spirit to his role that is impacting lives across the city and creating a paradigm shift in the nonprofit scene.
PHOTO BY PATRICK HEAGNEY
Where are you from originally, and what led you to Atlanta?
I’m originally from Lincolnton, a very small town east of Atlanta with three traffic lights and a population of less than 2,000 people. I moved to Atlanta to attend Clayton State University, where I earned a BA in political science.
What sparked your interest in the nonprofit sector?
Whether I was organizing coat drives with my twin sister at a very young age or volunteering at our local soup kitchen, I’ve always had a passion for giving back. Because of my eagerness to make a social impact, coupled with my desire to bridge the access to justice gap, my original plan was to take a year off post-undergrad and pursue a law degree. However, after landing a role at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and later that year working as a field organizer for Jason Carter’s gubernatorial campaign, I realized that my true interest was in the nonprofit space, specifically relating to expanding access to food and creating more equitable and thriving communities, which led me to MOWA—an organization leading the charge in providing nutritious meals and home repair services to underserved seniors and veterans across Atlanta communities.
How did you land the groundbreaking position of MOWA’s creative director, and what are some ways you are helping the organization grow and thrive in this role?
During the onset of the pandemic, I was promoted to the role of our first-ever creative director, which was the perfect opportunity to refresh and elevate the MOWA brand, shed preconceived ideas about connecting with supporters, [and] lean into the power of celebrity influence and brand partnerships while staying true to our mission. From live experiences to social media strategy, we’ve completely changed how we engage with our current and potential donors, volunteers and social enterprise consumers. As creative director, I lead our firstever internal creative agency, SZL, which is comprised of a team of talented graduates from the world’s preeminent creative university, SCAD. This internal agency has enabled us to design and print over 90% of our digital and print collateral in-house, saving the organization thousands of dollars per year. This summer, we will launch a print production company, with all revenue going back to feeding seniors.
PORTRAIT BY PATRICK HEAGNEY
How have you inspired more young professionals to get involved with philanthropy?
Recognizing the importance of acquiring and engaging diverse younger supporters to establish a donor base that has the ability to grow alongside the organization into its future, we launched a new event last year called TASTE. This event was created to raise awareness of MOWA’s mission of fighting senior hunger; highlight Atlanta’s rich culinary scene; and recognize young tastemakers who are creating, connecting and making an impact in our community! We are gearing up for our second annual TASTE event in April, which will be a must-attend experience in our brand-new event space, 1705WEST. I am really excited about a new monthly event series, MOWtion, which will be launched in May, designed to inspire more young professionals to get involved and bring Atlanta’s favorite DJs, artists and music lovers together for a night of food, fun and music. Additionally, I am very proud to lead our largest and most impactful Young Professionals Board to date with members from corporations like Red Bull, Mercedes-Benz USA, EA Sports and more.
Exciting! Tell us more about 1705WEST. What can we expect?
About two years ago, we started and have since completed an extensive renovation and expansion of the entire MOWA facility, which will enable us to feed more senior Atlantans for many years to come. A part of this renovation includes the transformation of one of our spaces into a state-of-the-art indoor-outdoor venue, 1705WEST. The space is the perfect backdrop for wedding receptions, social gatherings, cooking demos and more. The best part about this space is that every single dollar goes back to filling the empty plates of our senior neighbors.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I am not going to sugarcoat it: Being the creative director for a nonprofit leading the charge of fighting senior hunger in our city is no easy feat. No day is the same (a part of my job that I love) and my team and I live deadline to deadline with more projects going that I can count. A key component of my job is to nurture creative people who make creative things that align clearly with the broader strategic goals of the organization. As a leader, I foster and demand a culture where people feel empowered, inspired and respected. I believe that these key drivers are directly tied to one’s self-confidence. And without self-confidence, it’s hard to think outside the box and do creative work.
Outside of work, where can we find you?
Some of my favorite go-to spots include the bar at Bar Vegan (the best lemon drop martinis in the city, if you ask me), The James Room (I’m so excited about the new Buckhead location) and Rock Steady (upstairs is such a vibe). And for shopping, you can always find me at curbside pickup at Neiman’s or Nordstrom.
What is up next for MOWA?
There’s a lot happening at MOWA this year! We are gearing up for event season with TASTE being up first, our new MOWtion event series, our popular Women’s Power Luncheon, annual Golf Classic and our 35th annual A Meal To Remember, which is our signature and largest fundraiser of the year. Last year’s A Meal To Remember event had the youngest and most diverse crowd and record-breaking dollars raised to date, so we definitely plan to accelerate our efforts this year.
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