OCCCDA Welcomes New Executive Director, Shante Antrom
The board is delighted to announce the next Executive Director of Oxford Circle Christian Community Development Association. Please join in welcoming Shante Antrom!
We received 25 applications and were impressed with the high caliber of the candidates screened and interviewed. It was wonderful to meet called and qualified leaders who are invested in Christian community development.
Shante Antrom stood out to the Search Committee, staff, and Board, in that, in addition to her comprehensive professional experience and qualifications, Shante radiated her faith: she was genuine, cheerful, open about her relationship with God, answered difficult questions directly and thoughtfully, and demonstrated the values which guide the mission to “extend healing and hope in the Oxford Circle community believing that God’s purpose of reconciling all people to Jesus leads us to minister on spiritual, physical, social, and economic levels.”
Shante’s family has long been engaged in ministry and her heart for education that is accessible to all community members led us to affirm her leadership as the best fitting for OCCCDA during this season. The vote to offer Shante the position was unanimous.
Shante’s first day as Executive Director of OCCCDA was Wednesday, September 15, 2021.
Shante comes to OCCCDA with a range of professional experiences which complement the breadth required by the E.D. position. Shante’s notable strengths include: a discipline of prayer and reflection, collaborative leadership, relational warmth, the ability to listen carefully and manage multiple processes, and knowledge of local leaders and programs in education, funding, and local government. Shante is an accredited Financial Counselor and holds a BA in Business Administration (Temple University), an MA in Organizational Leadership (Eastern University), and is pursuing her Doctorate in Education Leadership (St. Joseph’s University). Shante has taught at the Community College of Philadelphia and also facilitated staff and faculty discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has prior experience as a substitute teacher in the Philadelphia School District and was tapped to serve as Interim Director with the Urban Affairs Coalition. As founder of her own LLC, Shante assisted nonprofits and international NGOs to strategize, develop infrastructure and sustainable funding, and helped individuals move toward financial independence.
As excited and pleased as we are to welcome Shante to this position with OCCCDA, it is not without some sadness, saying goodbye to Pearl. We are so thankful and grateful for Pearl’s leadership and guidance, particularly through the past 18 months during the Covid-19 pandemic, through which OCCCDA was able to grow organizationally and financially. Most importantly, our amazingly-dedicated staff continued to provide high-quality consistent care and programming. Pearl will be missed and we wish her rich blessings in her new position as Business Advisor at CCP.
This is an important transition for OCCCDA, as for the Oxford Circle community and we often think of the founding volunteers and board members, along with faithful investors. “…thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of [Christ] everywhere.” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Jill W. Sinha, Chair | Sam Kuttab, Vice Chair | Mary Wong, Secretary | Bryant Keal, Treasurer
decisions just like Queen Esther. Just like Esther had a great mentor in Mordecai, I appreciated that I did not have to make those difficult decisions on my own. I’m so thankful for my staff, Board, property committee, OCMC, and all OCCCDA partners and supporters who were willing to work with me as I adjusted and learned to lead in a new role and changing environment.