Sitting in a meeting of the City of Greensboro’s Community Safety Department (CSD), Jeremiah Jett sticks out.

Among the handful of department staff, he’s easily the youngest at only 19 years old. Despite being (at least) a decade younger than most of his colleagues, Jett offers an integral perspective to the CSD’s work.

Now in his second year as the youth engagement director for the department’s Community Safety and Violence Intervention Program, the rising High Point University (HPU) senior and contracted City employee connects young people to helpful City resources and opportunities.

“Community violence isn’t about criminals, it’s about people,” Jett said. “Sometimes people using violence are afraid. Sometimes they need someone to talk to. Sometimes they need someone to confide in. If I can be that person who can stop that cycle before it begins, then I’m doing my job. I can be in the high schools, middle schools, and even colleges talking to the young adults and give them options other than violence.”

A SECOND CHANCE

Jett knows about second chances. The experience helped him to his present position.

Growing up down the road in High Point, Jett was expelled from his elementary school as a fifth-grader. After trying to find another school, he landed at The College Preparatory and Leadership Academy, a charter school in Jamestown also known as The Point. He studied there from sixth through 12th grade, splitting time between the school and Guilford Technical Community College during his later years.

Local radio personality Busta Brown taught a radio class at The Point and noticed the troubled young man right away.

“I remember walking into [Brown’s] class, and my mom said, ‘Just try it, you may like it,’” Jett said. “I remember I sat in the back with my hood on and he came up to me and said, ‘Jeremiah, you’re going to be great someday,’ and my first thought was, ‘I think he’s crazy, because I just got expelled – there’s no way I’m going to be great someday.’”

From there, a budding mentorship developed, and by eighth grade Jett was helping Brown put on community events. He found himself thrust into a world of public speaking and advocacy work. He was making connections and his hard work was paying off.

“My mom told me that when I was young that she always believed I would be a communicator,” Jett said. “She said, ‘When you were a kid you struggled with being able to speak, you were like a mute, and even when you did speak, you would stutter and I didn’t understand why. It took a lot of prayer, and a lot patience and being there, but through God’s grace alone you were able to communicate fully.’”

Jett’s experiences with Brown developed an affinity for community service, particularly in his own community.

“As I kept going, my name got out there more,” Jett said. “I got connected with more and more people, from the City Council, to the Mayor, to school boards. In my senior year of high school, I got connected with (former CSD Director) Ms. Latisha (McNeil).”

REACHING YOUTH

Jett attended the 2024 Community Violence Intervention convention in Seattle, one of the biggest highlights of his young career. He also earned a spot on Black Business Ink Magazine’s “40-Under-40” list at just 18 years old.

“My world had just changed, and I immersed myself with the service for people,” Jett said. “From there, Ms. Latisha offered me the job and I said, ‘You know what, let’s do it!’”

For his first City initiative, Jett took his “Youthful Conversations” podcast on the road. He planned, produced, and hosted four assembly events at local high schools where students discussed their lives. Topics included relationships, maintaining good friendships, and mental health.

“There are so many topics that young people want to talk about,” Jett said. “To host a program where young people felt vulnerable enough to be heard and talk about things that were on their heart was great.”

Now in his second year, Jett supporting the CSD’s Comprehensive Community Safety Plan, launched in 2025. It focuses on important strategies like violence prevention, intervention, and interruption. His vision calls for more programming for Triad youth, including a monthly town hall, which he hopes will surface issues to present to local government and advocacy organizations.

Let’s not forget Jett hasn’t turned 20 yet. He’s about ready to enter his final year at HPU where he majors in communications and serves as the second vice president of the school’s NAACP Youth Council. He tries to maintain a healthy work-life-balance, but knows he may miss some parts of a “normal” college experience.

But he doesn’t regret it for a second.

“I’ve always been a person who believes work now, play later,” Jett said. “Out here doing this work, I’ve seen so many young people’s lives change. Seeing things like that reminds me there will always be time to go out to play basketball or try a new restaurant.”