Our Team
Jeremy Morris, Ph.D.
Position: Consultant/Project Director - Climate and Equity Jobs Act (CEJA)
E-mail: jeremy@jmorrisenterprises.com
“When we decided to make Decatur home in 2016, we were welcomed with open arms. It is that same welcoming spirit that keeps us here; to be more invested, more impactful. Early on, Juanita and I knew that we wanted to be a part of a philanthropic community that works to support all of its people. I am proud and excited to work with the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation for that reason. The donors, leadership and staff are connected to and genuinely care about the progress of the community it serves. This care and concern is reflected through overwhelmingly generous philanthropy, which makes the work of the Foundation truly remarkable and life changing.”
Dr. Morris joins the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation as Consultant/Project Director for the Climate and Equity Jobs Act (CEJA) grant opportunity through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He is primarily responsible for the outreach and recruitment functions and will work closely with Energy Transition Navigators to ensure the community is aware of and has access to training, apprenticeships and jobs.
Jeremy is a native of Mound Bayou in the Mississippi Delta. The second of four sons of a farmer and a career educator, he is no stranger to working hard. He also understands and champions the lifetime value of education. Dr. JK has a broad range of experiences from his work with the Ford Motor Company and Automatic Data Processing (ADP). He also works developing entrepreneurial ventures in this community and abroad, including J. Morris Enterprises, which he shares with his business partner and wife, Dr. Juanita Morris (Dr. J). Jeremy also brings significant operations experience from higher education institutions, having spent time in leadership and staff roles.
Jeremy is a certified Trauma and Resilience Practitioner, Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative Facilitator and Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile® (EMP) Practitioner. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Jackson State University, an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Jackson State University.
Jeremy serves as President of the Southside Improvement Association and as a Board Member of the Mamie D. Hayes Educational Foundation. He lives in Decatur with his wife, Juanita, and son and daughter, Kyle and Nia.
