Meet the Founder

Jacqueleen Sykes | Founder & Visionary, Hart Communities

Jacqueleen Sykes is a trailblazing housing advocate, community strategist, and the unstoppable force behind Hart Communities, a mission-driven organization transforming how underserved families access stable, dignified housing. With a career spanning over two decades in public service and community development, Jacqueleen has redefined what it means to stand in the gap for those navigating the complexities of urban displacement, gentrification, and housing insecurity.

She launched Hart Communities in 2007 with a bold vision: to ensure that no family is left behind in the face of redevelopment and relocation. Her grassroots expertise, coupled with strategic acumen, has helped thousands of families—particularly residents from Barry Farm, Park Morton, and the CIRCUM neighborhoods—transition from vulnerable housing situations into safe, supported homes. Through her leadership, Hart Communities has built one of the region’s largest affordable housing vacancy databases and forged powerful partnerships with landlords, developers, and policymakers.



Jacqueleen is not only a fierce advocate for equity—she’s a builder of systems, a voice for the voiceless, and a heart-forward leader who transforms policy into real-world impact. Whether she’s mentoring staff, mobilizing resources, or sitting at the table with city officials, Jacqueleen brings integrity, innovation, and an unshakeable commitment to justice. Her work has made Hart Communities a trusted anchor in the housing ecosystem—and a lifeline for families seeking more than just a place to live, but a place to belong.