Born in Los Angeles and raised in Rialto, California, Jonathan received a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a Master's degree in Public Administration from California State University of San Bernardino. Jonathan's expertise in collaborating with a diverse array of leaders and organizations positions him as a valuable asset in co-creating innovative solutions and resilient strategies for a future-ready world. Alongside his wife, Jonathan Buffong has played a pivotal role in founding and coordinating National Black Grads, the renowned Inland Empire Annual High School Recognition and Scholarship Ceremony, event in Southern California dedicated to uplifting and supporting Black students on their path to higher education. This initiative, the largest of its kind in the region, focuses on guiding students toward college, aiding in career development, and fostering long-lasting connections with entrepreneurial support systems.
In addition to his contributions to educational empowerment, Jonathan Buffong has established (IE-Goal Setting) one of the largest community and family Goal-setting groups in the Inland Empire. Embracing the guiding principles of Kwanzaa through Nguzo Saba, this inclusive platform provides individuals of all ages with a supportive environment to set and achieve personal aspirations and family goals.
Future-Ready Region Fellowship Program
In collaboration with the Institute for the Future (IFTF), Youth Action Project (YAP) introduces the Future Ready Region Fellowship Program, a visionary endeavor aligned with IFTF's mission to foster long-term thinking for creating equitable and sustainable societies. This fellowship is designed to equip a new generation of leaders with the foresight, skills, and innovative thinking necessary to navigate and shape the future of workforce development within the Inland Empire and beyond.
Fellows will immerse themselves in a dynamic, 9 month program that integrates futures thinking and IFTF's research methodologies with the practical goals of the Pathways to Parity initiative. This unique fusion of strategic foresight and actionable policy work aims to prepare fellows to lead transformational change in critical sectors, making them more accessible and equitable for communities of color.
About Youth Action Project (YAP)
Youth Action Project (YAP) champions the empowerment of youth and young adults by cultivating the skills and habits necessary for economic and social success. Dedicated to fostering a landscape where every individual can thrive, YAP's initiatives are grounded in education, workforce development, and community empowerment. Our mission is to create pathways that enable the youth of today to become the innovative leaders of tomorrow, particularly in underserved communities of the Inland Empire.
