Still Learning. Still Leading. Still Becoming.
September 2026 Newsletter
Hello Friends,
Before I go any further, I want to welcome the all of the new subscribers who have joined this community since my last newsletter. I’m glad you’re here!
Since my last newsletter, I’ve had the opportunity to stand in rooms as both a leader and a learner.
I was chosen by my peers as the valedictorian of the 2026 Dream.org cohort. I presented at the American Probation and Parole Association’s Annual Training Institute. And now, I’ve begun another leadership journey through JustLeadershipUSA’s Leading with Conviction+ program.
Each experience has reminded me that leadership isn’t about reaching a point where you no longer need to grow. It’s about being willing to keep learning, keep stretching, and keep showing up—while bringing others along with you.
So, this month, I want to share a little about where I’ve been, what I’m learning, and where I’m headed next.
2026 Dream.org Cohort Valedictorian
From Tanaine's Desk
Chosen by My Peers
Being selected for the 2026 Dream.org cohort was already an honor. But being chosen by my fellow cohort members to serve as our valedictorian meant something even deeper.
These were the people who learned alongside me, shared their experiences with me, and watched me grow throughout the program. To know that they trusted me to represent our collective journey is something I don’t take lightly.
This experience reminded me that leadership isn’t always about having the title or being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes, leadership is reflected back to you through the people who have witnessed how you show up.
I’m grateful for everything I learned, every relationship I built, and every person who saw something in me worthy of this honor. To my fellow cohort members: thank you for choosing me. It was truly an honor to represent us.
Beyond Recidivism at APPA
In August, I had the opportunity to present *Beyond Recidivism: Measuring Success in Community Supervision* at the American Probation and Parole Association’s 51st Annual Training Institute.
During the session, I challenged participants to think beyond the numbers we traditionally use to determine whether someone is succeeding. Too often, our systems are better at counting failure than recognizing progress.
Success can look like securing stable housing, maintaining employment, reconnecting with family, engaging in treatment, rebuilding an identity, or simply making a better decision today than the one made yesterday. Those victories matter—even when they don’t fit neatly into a report.
What made this experience especially meaningful was the opportunity to bring lived experience into a room filled with community-supervision professionals. These conversations are necessary if we want to build systems that don’t just monitor people, but truly help them move forward.
When a Recoding Feels Live
Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the privilege of leading a six-week workshop with women inside Indiana prisons through Televerde.
Recently, one of the facilities couldn’t join our session live, so the women watched the Zoom recording later. When I heard how they responded, I had to sit with it for a moment.
They interacted with the recording as though I were right there with them. They answered the questions I asked, completed the exercises in their workbooks, and participated as if the session were happening live.
One of their instructors told me that was the sign of a really good trainer and speaker. And honestly, that meant a lot to me.
As speakers and trainers, we don’t always know whether our words are reaching people—especially when we aren’t physically in the room to see their reactions. Hearing that the women felt connected enough to engage with me through a recording reminded me that presence isn’t only about proximity. It’s about creating an experience that makes people feel seen, included, and invited into the conversation.
That moment made me feel like I’m doing something right.
What’s Next
The next few months will be full—and I’m grateful for every opportunity ahead.
I’ll be completing the final weeks of my six-week workshop with the women inside Indiana prisons, continuing my leadership development through Leading with Conviction+, and building new resources through my Grassroots Policy Change Series.
I’m also continuing to accept speaking, training, and consulting opportunities for fall 2026 and 2027. There is still so much work to do, so much to learn, and so many conversations waiting to happen. I’m excited about what’s ahead—and I’m grateful to have you on this journey with me.
Speak Boldly. Lead Strategically. Change Everything.
Atlantic Beach, FL
🌐 TanaineJenkins.com
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