Today we’d like to introduce you to Buffany Hunter.
Hi Buffany, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Since childhood, community, empowerment, and equity are values that have long defined who I am and how I see the world. When I was five, my mom left Arkansas searching for better outcomes for her daughters, and she found those opportunities in California. Other family members in Arkansas were not as lucky. This reality created in me some guilt – why us, but not them. It has also caused me to wonder why some people have to abandon their communities in hopes of better outcomes. I have tried answering this question in so many spaces and ways, but I have realized there is no simple answer. Despite this, it is an issue that I continue to give attention to by celebrating communities, empowering others, and doing work around equity.
Eleven years ago, my interest in community from a public policy perspective brought me to the Junior League of Los Angeles (JLLA), a women’s civic leadership organization. My time with JLLA has been well spent. I have grown as a civic leader, have a deeper appreciation for Los Angeles, witnessed women leading change, and understand that meaningful change happens when communities collaborate. JLLA is undoubtedly a community of change agents. This year, the Junior League of Los Angeles is celebrating 95 years of supporting the Greater Los Angeles Community. The ability to pivot during a global pandemic and continue to respond to the community’s needs speaks to how relevant JLLA is and why we have such a rich history in Los Angeles. JLLA has a history that includes springing into action and providing aid during the 1986 Los Angeles Library Fire, the 1992 LA Riots, and sponsoring critical legislation like SB 1065: CalWORKs Homeless assistance. I am proud and humbled to be serving as the JLLA President.
Some days, I wonder, “how did I get here?” When I reflect on my JLLA training, acknowledge our rich history, and express gratitude to those that came before, I remember. The world around us is shifting, and I believe organizations also have to start to shift if they want to remain relevant. But for organizations to do this, the individuals that make up that organization have to be open to that cultural change. I am finding myself in this place with different institutions I work with, and I am learning. I have discovered cultural shifts are about acknowledging differences and figuring out how we work together. This interest in figuring out how we work together has encouraged me to explore storytelling – creating a message that resonates with others. Words and language matter. As JLLA President, I share JLLA’s story, my story, and, when appropriate, the story of others. I am grateful for the platform that JLLA has offered me, but as I think about equity, I am starting to wonder what platforms and tables are others offered to do the same. I have learned that as much as we want to talk about building sustainable communities, and economic empowerment, it means nothing if there is no platform to carry that message. This reality is why I am committed to storytelling.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, things are not easy, but I imagine they could be more difficult. COVID-19 and the light being shone on racial injustice have made this an unprecedented year. Many people have asked whether I’m sad and overwhelmed, but I’m so focused on trying to be the leader that JLLA needs that I don’t have time to be sad. I’m human, so of course, there are days where I am upset, frustrated or overwhelmed, but I step back when that happens and focus on me. As a woman of color, DEI has always been top of mind for me, but now I’m in a space where I’m having to process intimate feelings and lead. It’s not always easy, but I am thankful for the many people, both known and unknown that have paved the way for me to do what I do. In JLLA’s 95 year history, I am the 2nd Black President; the 1st Black President was only four years ago. I am appreciative of all the women of color that came before me. And I am grateful to those presidents and members that have made diversity, equity, and inclusion a priority. JLLA has taught me so much about leadership and community. But I know that my appreciation for JLLA has to be reconciled with the Junior League’s exclusionary history and my confidence that there have been more than two qualified Black women or six women of color to lead JLLA. The murder of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor and the civil unrest that followed has helped create space for these conversations.
Before the civil unrest of last summer, JLLA had already committed to DEI, so I know JLLA wants to be a place where all members feel respected, valued, and heard. However, JLLA is an organization of more than 900 women leaders who are used to making things happen and seeing results immediately. This will be JLLA’s challenge with its DEI work – setting a pace that is sustainable and results-driven. As I think about the pace JLLA is moving, I also ask myself, “what can I do versus what can JLLA do?” Some of the questions I have started to ask myself are around gatekeeping, respectability politics, mentoring, as well as systems and processes. Considering all of this, I do think some of the work can be emotionally intensive, but I think about those that helped me get where I am and remember it is not easy, but it’s worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Nothing can quite prepare you for leading like the Junior League. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric from UC Berkeley, a Master of Public Administration from USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy, and more than 15 years of work experience with UNCF, UCLA, and the City of Santa Monica. However, it has been JLLA that has provided me with unmatched leadership development training. It is this training that inspired my move into consulting. As a Rhetoric major, I love words, but I do not enjoy writing. I do, however, enjoy helping others tell their stories. This is what I now do professionally.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am always open to anything that will teach me about myself and the communities I exist in. For this reason, I love history, experiencing it from different vantage points, and trying to understand how things are interconnected. Most of the books I read are autobiographies, and biographies. I’ve enjoyed the autobiographies of some of our most recent Secretaries of State – Albright, Powell, Rice, and Clinton. In autobiographers there is a lot of introspection, which I appreciate. A recent read that I enjoyed was Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall because it challenged me to see where I was unintentionally perpetuating -isms and being a gatekeeper. I’m currently reading Stacey Abrams’ Lead from the Outside and it’s inspiring a lot of self-reflection.
This isn’t officially a podcast, but I’m enjoying Clubhouse. I have the opportunity to interact with people that I typically wouldn’t get to connect with and it’s just an overall enlightening and encouraging space, if you find the right rooms. Within a three day span, I learned about Shoah/Holocaust survivor stories, Disabilities & Allyship, self care, black women in politics and skin care. It feeds all of me.
Pricing:
- Active member $266.00
- New member $298.00
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: JLLA.org
- Instagram:@JLLosAngeles
- Facebook:@JLLosAngeles
- Twitter:@JLLosAngeles
Image Credits:
Ed Carreon Photography – photos in front of JLLA step and repeat
