BALTIMORE - South Baltimore Learning Center (SBLC) has hired Tanya Jones Terrell to lead and direct operations as its executive director.

Bringing more than 15 years of economic and workforce development experience, Terrell will create and oversee the execution of SBLC’s strategic and business plans, manage an operating budget of $1.5 million, and cultivate donor and partner relationships to put more adult learners on a pathway toward economic self-sufficiency.

Additionally, she will work with SBLC’s 32 faculty and staff members, board of directors and more than 50 volunteers to promote the Center’s programs and services in the community.

“In a city where more than 100,000 residents do not have a high school diploma, SBLC has a proven track record of providing quality educational services to address this significant barrier to employment,” Terrell said.

“It is a privilege to join SBLC, where I will continue to raise awareness about this issue and garner broad support for the Center,” she added. “I want everyone to know that SBLC is the critical link to help adults gain skills that will prepare them for work and educational advancement.”

Terrell joins SBLC after most recently serving as workforce strategist and former COO at Associated Black Charities. Previously, she was director of special projects and executive director of Empower Baltimore Management Corporation,coordinator with the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers and training manager with the Citizens Planning and Housing Association.

Recognized earlier in her career as a young leader in Baltimore, Terrell received a Baltimore Business Journal “40 under 40” Award. She continues to contribute her time and talent to the community as vice chair of The Creative Alliance board of trustees and as a member of Open Works board of directors.

A Boston native, Terrell earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Framingham State University. She then was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Fellowship to pursue graduate studies at Northeastern University, where she graduated with a master’s degree in counseling and development. After relocating to Baltimore, she earned a certificate in nonprofit studies from Johns Hopkins University.

About SBLC

The South Baltimore Learning Center is a community-based nonprofit organization providing functional literacy and life skills training in addition to career preparation services to educationally disadvantaged adults in the Baltimore area. It has been in operation since 1990 and now serves over 1,000 adults annually. For more information on services and class locations, to volunteer or to make a donation, call 410.625.4215 or visit www.southbaltimorelearns.org.