Terry Flood

When the Jubilee Housing CEO position came open 20 years ago, I hosted a dinner party for Jim and his wife Wendy with all of us who’d been there at the beginning. Amazingly, we didn’t freak him out with our tales about the early days. Instead, we saw Jim’s open mind and open spirit and that he was – as he is today – a true servant leader.  

I remember a few years ago Jim came into our Potter’s House worship and announced we were supposed to buy the building across 18th Street from Tryst — the next day. It was barely anything, a sliver of building, but he saw something in it that could help our community. I love that openness to the nudges of the spirit — that’s very Jim. But it was also kind of crazy. We had to get together $60,000 to bid. We did it, and we won the auction.  

2448 18th Street came with many challenges, but thanks to Jim’s vision and capacity to see beyond what is, to what can be, we have two floors of housing for Jubilee’s re-entry program, a community room, and on the first floor, Life Assets.

Jim’s vision has kept Jubilee Housing in Adams Morgan. In 2010, Jubilee Jobs opened up an office in Southeast to respond to thousands of Southeast DC applicants. I asked Jim if Jubilee Housing could develop an apartment building in Southeast, and he said, “Terry, I believe we are supposed to be in Adams Morgan.” And he was right. Look at how Jubilee continues to make affordable housing in Adams Morgan, right where we are, where the neighborhood is thriving and there are plenty of opportunities for residents of the Jubilee buildings. 

I’m still on the board, and I love watching Jim still growing and living into servant leadership. He’s always growing in his capacities and that affects everyone around him.