Learn more about Keisha Harp, 2021-22 JLGNH Assistant Finance Director.

As Executive Director of the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization (WPEO) in New York, Keisha Blake overseas all outreach efforts and develops the organization’s programs and events. Her responsibilities include regional management of the WBENC Certification Program for women-owned businesses and certification committee membership, as well as recruitment and retention of Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). She joined WPEO-NY as Regional Director of Certification and Programming.

Keisha’s past work experience includes managing the Screen Actors Guild’s Commercials & Industrials Contracts Division in New York City. She also handled constituency issues for The Office of Senator Joseph Lieberman, U.S. Senator from Connecticut, in Washington, D.C.

As an entrepreneur, she managed the European market planning, trend forecasting, budgeting and sourcing for a woman-owned fashion retailer. She volunteers with The Urban League of Southern Connecticut, Habitat for Humanity, and The Junior League of Greater New Haven.

Keisha graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Spanish. She did research at Oxford University in Refugee Law, has a Master’s Degree in Latin American Studies from Cambridge University and holds a Law degree from the University of London.

She serves on the boards of the Supplier Diversity Development Council, the Connecticut Supplier Connection Roundtable and the Advisory Council for the Center for Women in Business at Quinnipiac University.

An avid traveler, Keisha has lived in Cambridge, London and Madrid.

Q: What inspired you to volunteer to serve in a leadership role for JLGNH?

A: I am passionate about helping the organization to flourish and grow.

Q: How many years have you been involved with Junior League?

A: 5/6 years.

Q: Many members are interested in a literacy focus for our League. Can you tell us about a book you read recently and loved?

A: 1) A Love Song For W.E.B. Dubois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers 

It is the history of a fictional African American family in Georgia from the 1700s to the present.  The author writes beautifully about the family’s experience during slavery, the American Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement to the present. The author touches on themes like feminism, racism and classism.

It is an epic American Novel.

2) Santa Land Diaries by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is one of my favorite authors. The Santa Land Diaries is a humorous account of his experience working as a Christmas Elf in "Santaland" at Macy's New York City. I love Christmas and this essay always gets me in the Christmas spirit.

Q: What holiday tradition are you most excited about celebrating this season?

A: My family loves going to Broken Arrow Nursery in Hamden to cut down a Christmas tree. We also look forward to the Christmas Pageant at our church -  Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven. In 2019, my toddler son was a lamb and I was a shepherd I can’t wait for the world to be open again so that we can celebrate in person in our Church.