The objective of this session is to help YPCs understand that their voice in arenas of change are necessary. The importance of having a stake in our community can dynamically change the environment.
Commissioner Senita Lenear
Senita Lenear is an alumnus of GR Creston High. She is also a summa cum laude graduate of Cornerstone University with a Bachelors in Business Management and minor in Ministry Leadership. She is a mother, community volunteer and a member of New Hope Baptist Church where her husband Dallas Lenear serves as Executive Pastor. Senita Lenear has over 20 years of business experience, which includes working in corporate America and owning her own consulting firm. She is the founder of the My Body is a Temple program, which helps teens and young adults to discover the benefits of sexual abstinence before marriage.
Senita is a trailblazer. She was appointed to the GRPS Board of Education in October 2007 and the District made history of being a majority minority board of education. In 2009, she was elected to the Board of Education by the citizens of Grand Rapids to serve a four year term, which she’s currently completing. During her tenure on the board of education, she was elected, unanimously by her colleagues, to serve as the Vice-President for one year and President of the board for over 2 years.
Senita has passion for serving the community and is always putting the 18,000 students first in her work on the school board. Her service on the board has opened her eyes to more needs in the broader community. Senita has expanded her service beyond the 18,000 students of GRPS to serving as President of the Kent Intermediate Association of School Boards, where the goal of providing educational experience for Board Members in the Kent Intermediate School District is their focus.
Senita has been honored with a number of community awards, including her most recent YWCA Tribute! Community Service, Zeta Phi Beta Woman of the Year, NAACP Presidential and Legacy awards.