Claudette J. Spence
Ms. Claudette J. Spence is joy, peace and creativity with a desire to “seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” She has worked in community development for more than 30 years advocating with and for marginalized communities to improve on the quality of life.
In living into her life's mission, Claudette Joy works to create an environment where people feel comfortable to recognize our growth in wisdom, knowledge and a better understanding of self and life. In her public life, she has worked as a journalist, managing editor, community organizer, volunteer, lay leader, an adjunct assistant professor, anti-discrimination facilitator, and executive director of non-profits. She is adept as a manager and a program development and implementation specialist. These skills and experiences leveraged success and fulfillment which earned her recognition by New York City Council, New York State Senate, and a former employer – Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush where she led her team to unprecedented goal achievements.
As director of a woman’s empowerment program for a major women’s organization in the USA, Claudette Joy was fortunate to have experienced the love and desire women and men have to succeed, collectively. Her compassion, knowledge and peace grew. They guided her leadership. Her communication knowledge, skills and experience created, maintained, grew and navigated fruitful relationships – WIN-WIN-WIN. Material from her book Nurturing the Garden of Joy: Provocative Essays on Relationships was a practical tool that participants affirmed in its benefit to them. Claudette Joy is the author of three other books: Garden of Wisdom & Faith; Not
My Mother’s Daughter; and Sunday Afternoon Energy. Her workshop series JoyTalks™ is designed to strengthen our inter-personal communication skills towards success, fulfillment and confidence.
She earned a Master of Science in Communications through the City University of New York. Her undergraduate degree is in Political Science and Communications. She has put those lessons to use for the past 30 years.
Claudette Joy’s work in the local church, parachurch, state-wide ministry and in the national settings has been fueled by her love of people and love of God. Her ministry as a teacher of church school both for children and adults is one of her many joys. In her home church she has served as Moderator, Trustee, Stewardship and Prayer Ministry team member, and she often sings on the choir for Women’s Day.
And she enjoys living - amidst life’s challenges and joys. She is praised-filled for God’s mercy and grace in her life and for all the people whom God has sent to be a blessing to her. Her hope is that she is a blessing to you.