Meet Jacquetta Van Zandt of Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Framingham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacquetta Van Zandt.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story?
I kind of fell into politics. The path that was laid for me was very simplistic, I would go to law school and become a corporate lawyer, but I changed all of that.

In college, I volunteered for different local campaigns. I began to listen to how the process of electing candidates worked. I knew instantly, this is where I belong. I belong in jeans, a t-shirt and chucks knocking on doors and convincing people to come out and vote for their own well-being.

That led to an internship in a political office which led to Capitol Hill. I loved the movement of policy and I learned how to write in a convincing way. I was lucky enough to have someone to teach me how to get my message across without being unnecessarily disagreeable. “Listen more, take notes, keep a calendar, be on time, don’t over promise and under deliver”.

There are so many young minds in DC, all with the same goal….. get to the top. It was healthy competition but not really my cup of tea. I knew my calling was local government, on the ground floor tackling real issues and producing tangible results.

One day, a friend I met in DC called me and asked “If I heard about a guy named Barack Obama, a Senator from Illinois, who was running for President? I said: “Yes, I’m not sure how far he will go, but I like his wife”. My friend said they really needed people on the ground in Iowa during the caucus and would I like to come down. I said how much does it pay? He said: It pays in EXPERIENCE! I packed a bag, put my dog in the car and drove to Iowa. We won! Long story short, that led to a campaign job in Ohio and that set everything else in motion. However, while I liked D.C. I always knew I wanted to get back home and work in local government.

After my work in Virginia with Terry McAuliffe, I came home to work on the gubernatorial campaign of Steve Grossman, which led to working with Deb Goldberg in her administration and that is how I met Dr. Yvonne M. Spicer. I was totally absorbed in her story and her work in the STEM, I went to a high school that focused science and math so I was thrilled to see another woman of color who “geeked” out on Science. When she announced she was running, I called her up and said I will work for free to help you get elected.

I had found my dream candidate: An accomplished woman, running for local office, who looked like me! This was my chance to make history. After we won, she asked me to join her administration.

Has it been a smooth road?
No, in politics it never is and it never should be. Being a woman of color in politics is a challenge. Yes, we see a new wave of black and brown faces on the political scene these days, but the truth is we have always been here we just now have the spotlight. Women of color are constantly fighting to be a respected and valued voice at the table. We walk into a room where we are often times the “only”. In these rooms, we often receive no support, no warmth, no audience. We are encouraged to run and when we do, those same “voices” are slow to fundraise, advocate, or publicly support. We have to fight for every inch of ground we walk on. We are not given opportunities, we have to MAKE them for ourselves.

When we are up for jobs, we have to provide 3 degrees, 6 resume’s, and 10 years of experience only to be relegated to an entry level role with no path to advancement. When we work on campaigns we are relegated to “field roles”; outside knocking on doors, or phone banking. We hardly get a chance to bring our voices to the table on policy. Others come out of college and get to be Campaign Managers, Policy and Communication Advisers, no experience necessary. It’s a delicate balance and we seem to do it well.

But we face real challenges and we are organizing as a group and harnessing our power as a voting block. Congress should ready itself for the surge of female power that will be legislating in that historic building very soon.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Framingham – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My role in the Spicer administration is Senior Advisor to the Mayor for External Relations. Simply put, I provide advanced support to the Mayor in developing and recommending the implementation of major policy and programmatic initiatives with citywide impact. I liken it to building and maintaining effective relationships with all internal and external stakeholders. I think what sets me apart is my ability to build relationships and brand the city with a fresh pair of eyes. It takes a certain kind of moxie to be a woman in politics. You constantly have to keep your head in the game and reinvent your thoughts and ideas to help shape policy.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Everything about being a Bostonian is dope! We deliver preppy chic like no one else. We can pair a red sox tee with a tulle skirt, chucks and accessorize with a set of pearls. Bostonians have a wit that is devastating and a dry sense of humor that catches many off guard. We are immortalized in the likes of every Amy Poehler character to grace our screens on a Saturday night. I like that our city is full of history and culture. Roxbury is such a cool place to hang and absorb all that you can. From the Black Market that gives you a sense of pride and of course amazing finds from various vendors to the rich food in the North End. I wouldn’t trade Boston for anyplace else. What is also amazing is the wealth of expertise and mentors in the Boston area. My mentor Gail Jackson Blount is not only an icon in my mind, but she is a sought-after voice in my community and the city of Boston as a whole. She pushes me to bring the best of myself to the situation and encourages and guides young professionals like me to think community first. That is important. This city is filled with many gems like Gail and even Lois Smith.

Lois is a Higher Education development professional and really speaks passionately about being charitable and investing in the community. With women like this leading the way and encouraging me, I am headed in the right direction.

The only challenge I see with the city of Boston and I am speaking strictly as a resident is that we aren’t retaining young people. Yes, it’s expensive to live here but if you choose to stay here, what kind of incentives keep you here? We are on our way, I am not worried.

Contact Info:

• Address: 150 Concord Street
  Framingham, MA 01702
• Website: www.framinghamma.gov
• Phone: 508-532-5400
• Facebook: @City_of_Framingham
• Twitter: @Framingham_MA

Image Credit:
Dr. Yvonne Spicer, Mayor of Framingham, Gail Jackson Blount, President of the MWPC, Lois Smith, Private Development Consultant, Gloria Steinham

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