Shanteny Jackson is an Afro-Latina mother, wife, community advocate, and leader.   As an immigrant and a young mother, Shanteny had to learn to navigate and understand the US healthcare system due to a traumatic and life-changing event.   Her middle child suffered an asthmatic attack as an infant.  In an effort to find resources to nourish her child to wellness, she experienced several challenges with navigating the healthcare and insurance systems.  This experience, coupled with other innate passions, helped her calling into the field of Human Services and Community Education flourish.  Shanteny fully embraced her role as an Advocate and Community Leader once she felt “ready” to tell her story.  She was mentored by prolific women and as time went by, she gained her seasoned knowledge through lived experiences, educational opportunities, and professional knowledge.   

Shanteny serves as the Executive Director of the Virginia Community Health Worker Association. She earned a B.A. in International Studies with minors in Spanish and Education from Mary Baldwin College.  She also earned a Master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in Addiction and Recovery from Liberty University.  Shanteny was nominated and recognized as “Persona de Poder” (Radio 1380 Poder).  The Virginia Latino Advisory Board recognized her work during the Pandemic with the  “Civic Engagement” award.  

Shanteny continues to elevate and highlight the role identity and representation plays in communities of color, particularly in the Latino diaspora.  In her essay, “The Dream & Reality of an Afro-Latina,”  Shanteny explains this concept.   This piece was featured in the 2021 collection of Richmond Racial Equity Essays.

Robin Sharma eloquently said, “your environment influences your mindset.” Shanteny is the product of many environments, including the VCU Nonprofit Learning Point (2010),  Ginter Urban Gardener Program (2018), Community Trust-building Fellowship (2019), Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute (2019), Circles USA (2019), and, most recently, Leadership Metro Richmond (2025).

Shanteny has worked hard and continues to serve her community with passion and commitment by advocating for basic needs such as access to healthcare and livable wages to be available to Virginians.  She volunteers at her local church.  Most recently, Shanteny has been supporting initiatives addressing disparities in Maternal Health, particularly in the Latino/Hispanic population.  She completed training and births as a Doula. On a more personal note, Shanteny enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and sports.