Meet the Faces Behind the Table

You may have noticed some Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Staff members tabling at recent community events this year such as Open Streets and the Selby Ave Jazz Festival. Take a moment to meet some of the friendly faces behind the table and learn a little bit more about what drives them. 

Meet Portia

Portia Jackson is Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's Director of Programs and Services. She has plenty of experience working in the housing industry across a few of our referral partners, such as Washington, Hennepin, and Ramsey Counties. Portia earned her Master’s Degree in Health and Human Services Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. When I spoke to Portia, she talked about how important building personal relationships is to her work. According to Portia, "You never know who's gonna come up."

The unique interactions that you can only have at community events are part of what makes Portia so passionate about her work. Hearing stories and real-life experiences of the greater Habitat community is essential for improving our organization in a meaningful way.  

When asked why she decided to work for Habitat, Portia responded, "I wanted to work with foundational Black Americans, and I wasn't able to do that one the same scale with other organizations." Habitat's initiatives are making tangible progress in this area and Portia wants to expand this progress. She specifically called out the homeownership gap in Minnesota as a driving force for her work. Additionally, she stressed the importance of Habitat's rules and guidelines during the application process. They exist as a tool to aide potential homeowners rather than add another barrier to homeownership. 

Portia is a North Minneapolis homeowner and in her free time, she loves watching True Crime documentaries and listening to True Crime podcasts with her daughters. 

Meet Pearll

Pearll Warren is Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's Homeowner Development Manager. Prior to working at Habitat,  Pearll's direct services experiences include working with families in transition within Hennepin, Dakota, and Ramey County; as a Housing Manager for East African Housing Services for SMAC and GRH clients. Pearll also served as a Housing and Financial Capabilities Counselor with Urban League Twin Cities on the Wealth Development team where she obtained her HUD Certified credentials. 

She shares Portia's passion for making a positive impact in her community and hearing homeowner experiences firsthand. She firmly believes that “that the true process of wealth development and building wealth come with the understanding of how money works, and how to analyze your financial needs in order of priority to make your money work for you.”

Pearll's commitment to sharing her knowledge with as many people as possible is undeniable, as is the impact of that commitment. Pearll hopes that every potential homeowner is financially well informed and knows the full scope of the homebuying process. 

Pearll is an accomplished spoken word poet and has authored several books of poetry. When she's not working, she enjoys writing and spending time with her kids. 

Meet Preston

Preston Powless is Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's Community Engagement Manager, and he is excited to get to work. When it comes to joining the Habitat team, Preston says, "It gives me chills to know that I get to wake up every day and align my love for people with an organization that is a true bridge for hard working and deserving folks to make it into stable and affordable housing."

Preston enjoys going out into the community for tabling events and speaking with potential homeowners and members of the greater Habitat community. "What I enjoy most about tabling in the community is smiling and sharing with people something that is powerful and meaningful." Preston's determination to bring a positive earnest influence into the community is an excellent example for all of us to follow. 

In his free time, Preston loves watching Minnesota sports teams, especially the Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves (although he admits that watching them is a struggle at times). He also loves movies, rapping and writing poetry, singing and pretty much playing any sport.

Preston also expressed how much his family means to him; his mother, three sisters, and two brothers mean the world to him. He also wants to be a role model for his three nieces and three nephews. 

Twin Cities Habitat is so excited to have such passionate members engaging with the community, and they are excited to meet you! If you or someone you know would like to have Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity at a community event, don't hesitate to reach out! You can contact Preston Powless in order to get in touch.