Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, spoke about his journey to becoming one of the most influential nonprofit leaders in America during the 2024 James P. Elder Lecture. On Thursday, April 4, Reckford gave his lecture to roughly 150 Elon alumni, faculty, staff, students and Alamance County community members in Whitley Auditorium.
In a Q&A-style interview, Reckford discussed the success of Habitat for Humanity. The nonprofit operates in more than 70 countries and is responsible for helping over 13 million people in the last year have access to affordable shelter.
Reckford discussed his role models who ranged from his grandmother to former President Jimmy Carter. Reckford said he hoped his speech would help more people understand what Habitat for Humanity actually is. Not only do they help low income families get affordable mortgages, but they also help establish affordable communities in underdeveloped countries.
Reckford estimated that the United States is up to 6 billion housing units short, leaving thousands of Americans unhoused. With the price in supplies going up, affordable housing is a prominent topic of discussion in America.
“The housing market is broken,” Reckford said.
According to Reckford, Habitat for humanity is political but not partisan — with support for the non-profit in both parties. He said he thinks Habitat for Humanity can help solve this through uniting people through service, and he stresses the importance of young people getting involved.
“It’s so important to me that young people want to incorporate service into their lives, so I look forward to the chance to engage with students,” Reckford said.
At the end of the speech, the floor was open to audience members to ask questions. One Elon student asked what piece of advice would Reckford give his 20-year-old self. He said that he wished he could tell himself to focus more on finding his mission and less on figuring out his career.
“Who before what,” Reckford said.
After the speech, a reception was held at Snow Atrium where audience members could talk and reflect on the lecture over dinner. Beverly Sheets Pugh, who serves on the board of directors for the Alamance County chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said she was extremely impressed with the lecture and she admired how down to earth Reckford was.
Pugh brought along her 15-year-old granddaughter Rachel, who said she enjoyed that the lecture was more of a story about his life rather than a business presentation.
Two students were able to speak with Reckford after the speech. They attended the lecture for their class “entrepreneurship for the greater good.” Mj Lazo-Murphy attended the speech after finishing the book “Evicted” by Matthew Desmond which touches on the affordable housing crisis in Wisconsin.
“It was a great replacement of class,” Lazo-Murphy said.
Reckford encouraged students to get involved with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity by volunteering for weekly building projects.