Jillyan Sylvia McKinney

Racial Equity Specialist

As Racial Equity Specialist at Sacramento Steps Forward, Jillyan provides leadership, guidance and professional development for racial equity driven initiatives. Her responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing the ongoing racial equity strategies of the Sacramento County Continuum of Care (CoC) and of Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF), which manages the CoC. 

Jillyan brings extensive knowledge in racial equity tools and frameworks, professional development, project management, community engagement and relationship building. Prior to joining our team, Jillyan spent 17+ years as a High School Social Science teacher and Equity Lead. As a multi-racial Latinx woman, her passion and drive for this work derive from her family and their experiences with racism and discrimination. Her parents and siblings serve as her “why” for this important and necessary work. 

Jillyan is a graduate of California State University, Chico and National University. Her life is brightened by her 3 amazing children, incredibly supportive partner and being an auntie. As a family they enjoy travelling, snow skiing, water sports, and intensely competitive game nights. 

Reach Jillyan at jmckinney@sacstepsforward.org.