Michele Jones Galvin
Michele Jones Galvin, Director of Community Initiatives, is responsible to assist the Commissioner of Social Services with coordination, data management and evaluation of special projects. Ms. Jones Galvin is responsible to assist the Commissioner of Social Services with data management, coordination and evaluation of community based, special projects. She works closely with administrators of community based organizations, schools, and health and social service programs to provide families the greatest access to medical care and support services. Ms. Jones Galvin specializes in program design, implementation and evaluation. In support of the county’s commitment to valuing diversity in the workplace, Ms. Jones Galvin is a member of the diversity training leadership team and a certified Bridges Out of Poverty facilitator.
Ms. Jones Galvin was awarded a Master’s Degree in Psychological Research from the New School for Social Research, New York City. She received a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Psychology and African American Studies from Fordham University, New York City.
Ms. Jones Galvin serves on the Board of Directors of the George and Rebecca Barnes Foundation, Central New York Health Systems Agency, and Syracuse Corinthian Club. She formerly served as a board member for Centers for Nature Education, Chadwick Residence, Consolidated Industries, Cultural Resources Council, Everson Museum, HOME, Inc., Juneteenth, Inc., Independent Living Services, Junior League of Syracuse, Loretto Nursing Home, Meals on Wheels, North East Community Center, Partners in Education and Business, PEACE, Inc., Regional Learning Services, Syracuse Stage Guild, Transitional Living Services, Vera House, Volunteer Center, and Women’s Fund of Central New York.
Ms. Jones Galvin is also affiliated with Community Wide Dialogue On Race, FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Junior League of Syracuse, Lambda Kappa Mu, Inc., Leadership Greater Syracuse, National Coalition Building Institute, Professionals of Color, Syracuse Citizen’s Academy and Thursday Morning Roundtable.
She was the recipient of the Onondaga County Martin Luther King Award in 1998 and the Lambda Kappa Mu Service Award in 2001. In 2002, Ms. Jones Galvin was awarded the Thursday Morning Roundtable Award for Meritorious Community Service and the YWCA Diversity Achievers Award. In 2007, she was inducted in to the North Side Hall of Fame. In 2008, Ms. Jones Galvin was recognized as one of the founders of the Women’s Fund of Central New York. In 2009, she was awarded the Bethany Baptist Church Harriet Tubman Spirit Award.In October of 2011, Ms. Jones Galvin was awarded the American Red Cross Women Who Mean Business Award.
In 1999, Ms. Jones Galvin and her mother Joyce E. Jones began collaborating on an historical novel. Told from the perspective of a relative, Beyond the Underground. Aunt Harriet, Moses of Her People portrays the life, times and accomplishments of the famed abolitionist. The book culminates as it speaks to the pivotal role of race, color and discrimination as counterpoints in the lives of Tubman and her great, great grandniece, Joyce E Jones. Publication is expected in the very near future. Connect with Michele by emailing her at mjgalvin@mosesofherpeople.com.