Jerry Saunders, Sr
Jerry Saunders Sr., is the Chief Executive Officer of Africentric Personal Development Shop, Inc. (APDS). Since 1997, Saunders has served as CEO of APDS which is an innovative behavioral healthcare agency established in 1988. APDS specializes in prevention and treatment of substance use disorders and programming for male domestic violence perpetrators. Prior to joining APDS, Saunders served ten years as executive director of the Eldon W. Ward YMCA of Central Ohio. He is a Managing Partner with The Saunders Business Development Group, LLC. Saunders is chairman of the board of trustees for Creative Housing, Inc., chairman of the board of directors for Equity Now Coalition, vice chair of the board of directors for Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity, and trustee of United Methodist Children’s Home, Inc.
Saunders previously served in executive leadership roles on the Franklin County Children Services Board, Franklin County Developmental Disabilities Board, Children Hunger Alliance Board, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., and as Commissioner with City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. He is dedicated to building comprehensive supportive communities and has a deep passion for addressing socioeconomic needs of African American communities.
The Oberlin College graduate is the recipient of numerous awards including African American Committee’s 2020 Nonprofit Business of the Year, SMART Business Magazine 2019 Medical Mutual Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year, Columbus Urban League Award of Excellence, 100 Black Men of Central Ohio Mentor of the Year, and Greater Columbus Community Helping Hands, Inc. Ambassador of Health and Wellness Award. Saunders received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow of The Rotary Foundation from Columbus Rotary.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Saunders attended Mohawk Junior-Senior High School, is a history buff, and loves listening to music. He is married to E. Gayle Saunders and they have one son, Jerry Jr.