Title
To honor, recognize and celebrate the life and service of Mr. Gregory Jefferson and to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends on the occasion of his passing, Thursday, January 7, 2021.
Body
WHEREAS, the members of Columbus City Council extend this resolution of expression in honor of the life and service of Mr. Gregory Jefferson, who peacefully transitioned on Thursday, January 7, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jefferson will be remembered for the love he expressed for his family, friends, and the community he was blessed to serve; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jefferson’s education included matriculating at Bishop Hartley High School, and receiving his Bachelor's in Business Administration at Fisk University, as well as earning his Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from The Ohio State University; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Jefferson walked a righteous path as an unconditional community advocate with more than 25 years' experience mentoring youth and adults - some of his achievements included his service at the Ohio Department of Youth Services and being selected employee of the year; being inducted into Who's Who of professional managers; as well as Greg proudly served as the CEO of Community for New Directions since 2007 where he served thousands of youth and families; and
WHEREAS, Greg was dedicated to the Community for New Directions (CND) and worked diligently to make CND the premier agency that it is today; and his passion was helping youth and he devoted his career to developing and implementing comprehensive strategies for prevention and suppression of drugs and violence; his impactful leadership helped youth identify critical pathways to education, opportunity, and success; and
WHEREAS, He was a faithful member of First Church of God and volunteered with various ministries in the church; and
WHEREAS, Greg was greatly appreciated by his colleagues and friends for his work in the human services sector; as well as his team at CND; and
WHEREAS, Greg will truly be missed - he is preceded in death by parents Dr. Alfred and Gloria Jefferson and survived by son, Brandon; sister, Karen (Dr. Gregory) Morrison; and brother, Bryan Jefferson; nephew, Aaron Capel; nieces, Sarah and Blaire Morrison; and great-niece, Aryiana Capel; special cousins, Elizabeth Albury and Renee Wilson; special friends, John and Angela Dawson; and a host of special relatives; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby honor, recognize and celebrate the life and service of Mr. Gregory Jefferson and to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends on the occasion of his passing, Thursday, January 7, 2021.