Jackie and Jayda Peets, the visionary co-founders of POWER, share a deep-rooted passion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the transformative role education plays in empowering lives. Established in 2024, POWER is the culmination of their shared commitment to ensuring that every student has the support they need to succeed.
Jayda Peets, driven to build her own legacy of impact and advocacy, carried this commitment forward during her time at Howard University. As a senator in the Howard Senate, one of Jayda’s most significant accomplishments was the passage of the Emergency Funding for Food Insecure Students bill. In its first year alone, she secured $23,000 in extra meal swipes, directly helping over 100 students in need. Jayda’s work at Howard, combined with her current legal studies at the College of William and Mary, underscores her dedication to advocating for equality and creating opportunities for others.
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Rooted in HBCU Legacy
Jacqueline Peets began her educational journey at Florida A&M University (FAMU), a cornerstone of HBCU excellence. Graduating with honors in business in 2006, her experience at FAMU profoundly shaped her understanding of education as a vital tool for empowerment and change. This experience, coupled with her advanced education from the College of William and Mary, where she earned her MBA, fueled her passion for supporting students in need, ensuring that temporary hardships do not derail their educational pursuits.
​The founding of POWER is not just a continuation of Jayda’s impactful work at Howard but also a manifestation of Jackie’s lifelong commitment to the HBCU community. Together, they are carrying forward a legacy of support, ensuring that HBCU students have the resources they need to overcome challenges and achieve their dreams. Their love for HBCUs runs deep, rooted in their own experiences and driven by a shared mission to uplift and empower the next generation of scholars.