The Mind Trust selects Jihada Garrett as director of community engagement

INDIANAPOLIS – The Mind Trust today announced that Jihada Garrett will join the education non-profit as
director of community engagement.

Most recently, she was the director of New Programs for Banner Learning/Inquiry Bridge, which offers
educational programming for urban schools, including dropout prevention programs, therapeutic schools
and alternative education programs for at-risk students.

As director of community engagement, Garrett will work with the Indianapolis communities and
neighborhoods most affected by education change and foster community conversations about improving
and supporting public education. She also will provide support to The Mind Trust’s Innovation School
Fellows tasked with designing and launching new schools within the Indianapolis Public Schools.

She will join Kameelah Shaheed-Diallo, vice president for strategy and community development, as part
of The Mind Trust’s community outreach and engagement team.

"Community engagement is one of The Mind Trust’s top priorities, and Jihada’s diverse background is a
perfect addition to our extensive outreach efforts," said Founder & CEO David Harris. "Her experience as
a school leader, social worker and strategic consultant will help our engagement efforts immensely, which
will translate into better schools and opportunities for Indianapolis students."

Before joining The Mind Trust, Garrett worked for several educational and human services organizations
in Indianapolis and across the country. In addition to her work with Banner Learning, she served as the
executive director of St. Margaret of Scotland School in Chicago, and as a Graduate Summer Fellow with
Education Pioneers, where she created a growth strategy for expansion in five cities.

Garrett also spent time as a social worker in her native city of Detroit, a human resources specialist and
recruiter for the U.S. Department of Defense in Indianapolis, as well as a strategic consultant to the DC
Small Business Center, Howard University and SPG & Associates, all in Washington DC.

Jihada earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business
administration from Howard University. She serves on the board of directors for Forest Manor MultiServices
Center and is a volunteer and mentor for the Center for Leadership Development and Leaders of
Tomorrow programs. She is also a member of the National Black MBA Association.

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