Jewel Patterson
Director of Organizing & Programs
Email: [email protected]
Jewel Patterson, the Director of Organizing & Programs at Congregations Organized for Prophetic Engagement (C.O.P.E.), combines together the threads of art, activism, and community healing to create lasting change.
As a Youth Organizer in 2016, she pioneered the creation of R.E.A.L. (Race, Education, ARTivism, and Leadership), a program tailored for Black youth in the Inland Empire (I.E.). Under Jewel’s leadership, C.O.P.E. has raised the consciousness and capacity of youth (aged 14-25) throughout the IE. The R.E.A.L. program, along with other engaging activities like the Youth Artivism Retreat, Black Youth Hangout, and Black Radical Unity Hub, shows her commitment to training youth to believe in their power, their art and their ability to make change.
In 2021, Jewel earned her Master’s in Counseling, a testament to her holistic approach to community organizing. Recognized as a 30 Under 30 honoree by Assemblymember Eloise Gomez-Reyes’ office in 2020, she wields powerful influence in shaping the future. Beyond the professional sphere, Jewel is an artist and community birth worker, deeply rooted in a lineage of singers, creators, and healers. As a Black, queer feminist, her multifaceted approach combines organizing, counseling, and ARTivism to address challenges faced by marginalized communities in the Inland Empire.
Jewel Patterson embodies the spirit of a holistic leader—bridging the gap between professionalism and communal authenticity. Her journey is a celebration of collective empowerment and resilience, proving that with art, activism, and community healing, we can create lasting change that truly matters for our community.
