about frontline Solutions
Frontline Solutions was founded to ensure an equitable recovery and support grassroots innovation in the Gulf Coast region after Hurricane Katrina. Shortly thereafter, the firm helped launch a renewed national effort focused on Boys and Men of Color. At the time, building a consulting firm was the last thing on our minds. We simply saw an urgent need that we had the vision, skills, and authentic relationships to fill. But, as more opportunities came our way, we became energized by the idea of creating an enduring Black-founded-and-led institution that would be uniquely positioned to foster connections between communities, nonprofits, movement organizations, and institutional philanthropy, challenging the status quo and accelerating results on racial, economic, and environmental justice.
As we mark our 20th year, we’ve been reflecting on where we’ve been, who we are, and where we’re going. One thing we know for sure is that our work is rooted in a rich legacy of Black institutions. We’ve benefited from the counsel and support of the leaders who came before us and collaborated with many incredible organizations in our peer group. Now, we’re inviting our community—the folks who have guided and sustained us to join us in celebration and dialogue. Together, we’ll imagine Frontline’s next chapter and the future of Black institutions during this critical moment in U.S. history when social impact organizations are experiencing heightened pressure and attacks.
what can you expect?
Our 20th Anniversary convening and reception will be held at The Historic Jenkins Farm in Loxley, Alabama—a place rich with heritage and meaning. Frontline Founder Marcus Littles’ great-grandparents cultivated this land, and their ten children acquired and stewarded it to become one of the most successful Black farms in the South. This land holds a remarkable legacy and promise of Black resilience and vision that is sowed into Frontline Solutions’ purpose.
The celebration will be hosted by award-winning political strategist, author, and cultural commentator Alencia Johnson and Xavier Jernigan, a trailblazer in the entertainment and culture industries and co-host of Spotify’s hit flagship daily morning show, The Get Up. They will be joined by leaders from Black institutions spanning generations, geographies, and sectors to build and unpack the shared and competing definitions, aspirations, and visions among Black institutions in the 21st Century.
The conversation will be followed by a festive evening reception and awards ceremony honoring leaders who have shaped and inspired Frontline’s vision, mission, and work.
OUR HOSTS
Alencia Johnson
Alencia Johnson is an award-winning leader at the intersection of social impact and culture change. With a unique background of corporate, political, and non-profit experience, she is a highly sought-after advisor and cultural commentator. Her debut book, “Flip The Tables: The Everyday Disruptor’s Guide to Finding Courage and Making Change,” will be published in March 2025. Pre-order here.
Alencia is the Founder of 1063 West Broad — a social impact consultancy and media company connecting brands, organizations and people to purpose driven solutions.
Alencia was a senior advisor to President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris’ successful 2020 campaign, developing popular culture and media strategies. Prior to that, she spent six years at Planned Parenthood’s national office, where she engaged political, media, entertainment and corporate organizations and influencers to shift mainstream culture with positive, inclusive and factual perceptions of gender equity and women’s rights.
Alencia is regularly seen on MSNBC, CNN, NewsOne, BET, Huffington Post Live, and featured in NPR, Washington Post, ESSENCE, Glamour and more. Her board service includes the Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation’s Social Justice Fund as well as Human Rights First, and she was appointed to the Virginia Council on Women by Governor Ralph Northam.
A native of Virginia, Alencia received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Leadership Studies from Christopher Newport University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and currently resides in the Washington, DC area.
Xavier "X" Jernigan
Xavier "X" Jernigan is the Voice of Spotify… literally. Xavier is the voice and personality of Spotify’s AI DJ, named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023. He is also a Spotify executive (Head of Cultural Partnerships) and Spotify’s go-to host and spokesperson for Spotify events and press around the world. In that role he has interviewed some of the biggest celebrities in the world and brought Spotify to the Oscars and AMAs red carpet for the very first time. Xavier has hosted several podcasts across Spotify including The Get Up (Spotify’s Morning Show) that garnered 6 million listeners and was a top 10 podcast on Spotify.
As a Founding Member of The Kennedy Center Hip-Hop Culture Council, X works to bring Hip-Hop programming to the national performing arts center. As Lincoln Center’s Guest Curator for Hip-Hop, he curated the Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary concerts and Hip-Hop programming in 2024 and beyond including his residency, “Beats, Rhymes & Sights”. Xavier was recently appointed to the Board Committee of the Trustee Impact and Engagement Committee at The Metropolitan Museum of Art as a By Invitation member where X works to help further connect The Met with the community. Prior to Spotify, Xavier worked across Def Jam, Epic, Motown, and Republic launching the careers of Future, Vince Staples, Logic, and Amy Winehouse.
Born and raised in Daytona Beach, FL, Xavier is a Brooklyn resident, a proud MBA graduate of Florida A&M University, graduated NYU as Valedictorian, serves on the NYU Steinhardt Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board, and serves as a Deacon at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY, USA.
SPONSORS
We thank the organizations below for their support of Frontline Solutions’ 20th Anniversary Celebration: Imagining the Future of Black Institutions and are grateful for their generous support of the event.
