Gena Gunn McClendon

Gena Gunn McClendon

Director of Community Engagement,
Director of the Voter Access and Engagement initiative,
Codirector of the Financial Capability and Asset Building initiative

The late Gena Gunn McClendon, PhD, was director of Community Engagement at the Center for Social Development, director of CSD’s Voter Access and Engagement Initiative and codirector of the Financial Capability and Asset Building initiative.

Dr. McClendon’s program-development and policy work focused on issues related to voter suppression and civic participation of low- and moderate-income households and marginalized populations. Through her research, she sought to identify and advance strategies for supporting inclusive democracy, training social work students in financial capability, and developing a postsecondary curriculum in financial social work. She also worked to create structures for addressing the racial wealth gap and developing coalitions.

Dr. McClendon earned a PhD in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. She received her Master of Management and Leadership from Fontbonne University in St. Louis and Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Dr. McClendon passed away on October 21, 2023.


Projects

Financial Capability & Asset Building​ (FCAB)

Financial Capability & Asset Building​ (FCAB)

Asset Building

We are building a body of evidence in financial capability, defined as both the knowledge to make optimal financial decisions and access to appropriate and beneficial financial services. 

Financial Capability & Human Services Education

Financial Capability & Human Services Education

Financial Capability

We address the gap in professional FCAB training of social workers and other human service practitioners who serve low- and moderate-income households.

State Assets Policy Project

State Assets Policy Project

Asset Building

Our research informs development of asset-building policies at the state level and is designed to include traditionally marginalized groups. 

Voter Access & Engagement

Voter Access & Engagement

We use our expertise to assess and test innovations that remove barriers to voting and enhance voter participation.

Wealth Building in Rural America Project

Wealth Building in Rural America Project

Asset Building

We research asset development in rural America with a focus on underserved populations