Jataun Rollins, LCSW is a native Chicagoan and a proud produce of the Chicago Public School System. Jataun is also a graduate of Eureka College in downstate Illinois. She speaks lovingly of Carol Gearing, a loving mentor who introduced her to the literary classics like Chaucer, Shakespeare, Richard Wright and countless others. Her parents, along with her mentor, made sure that she was well read and exposed. Her career trajectory has included working in a variety of capacities in child welfare, senior services and social welfare policy. Jataun is known in the community as a Subject Matter Expert and the “go to person” as it relates to children and family services. She also made a commitment during the early part of her work career that she would not remain working at someone’s desk for the remainder of her life. She knew at some point she wanted to draw on her entrepreneurial gifts and her intense desire to make a difference within the African American community. After having taken on a whole new job, where she hoped to add to her repertoire and skill set, Jataun lost that job and was unemployed for quite a bit of time. Her faith in God was really tested, and just as she was at her lowest point financially, she was notified that a grant that she applied for had come through! It was then that she founded 1863FWD, LLC along with its non-profit arm called 1863 Care 2 Care. The mission and focus of 1863FWD is to empower and prepare the formerly incarcerated with the ability to bring their strengths to their communities. Although Jataun realizes that many of these clients will secure traditional job opportunities, she is highly committed to grooming entrepreneurs where their often hidden talents can come to the forefront. Jataun, along with her parents, siblings, children and other extended family members have always found themselves engaged in a number of

entrepreneurial pursuits. As if being a renaissance woman were not enough, Jataun, is a doll maker. Her dolls have been commissioned by Therapists who work with children who are greeted with positive images of themselves during counseling and therapeutic sessions. She is also a published author of books that also speak to children’s positive self-images. Her words of wisdom to women age 50+ include JUST DO IT! She wants us to operate within our passions and not listen to those voices that don’t uplift our vision. Her mantra is “You are packaged perfectly!” She also feels it is imperative that we identify what is important to us first and foremost. “I feel the first half of my life went to rearing children and fulfilling the expectations of others,” says Jataun. JUST DO IT! You can connect with Jataun on 1863FWD.org, as Jataun Rollins on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.