Kendonisha Reckley, Contributing Writer
Saint Leo University recently launched a new program called Mission-Driven Leader Series: Conversations on Purpose designed to engage our community in dialogue about leadership and excellence.
On Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2022, the series began with a presentation by Saint Leo class of 1998 alumna, Cerelyn “CJ” Davis, who currently serves as Chief of the Memphis Police Department.
Davis was given a warm welcome and introduction by Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese, university president. She is a recent member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives being in a minority group.
“There are about four thousand chiefs of police in the United States. About nine percent of those are females. About 8 percent of those are African American. It’s very unique to have the honor that Saint Leo has, and her honor to be a Chief of police of a major city in the United States in Memphis, Tennessee,” Senese said. “It is amazing that Chief Davis took the time to come here and speak with us.”
Saint Leo vice president of Community Engagement and Innovation, Dr. Mark Gesner, led the conversation in an interview-style talk with Chief Davis.
Davis talked about her past and how she got to where she is today. She graduated from Saint Leo’s Fort McPherson Center in 1998 with a degree in criminal justice. She was then given the position of president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) within the 2020 year.
Davis also reflected on her personal experience being a black woman in the police force and being the only woman in her class of 11 women to graduate where there weren’t many female police in this man-dominated field.
“We were ready for law enforcement, but law enforcement was not ready for us,” Davis discussed.
As the event carried on, the energy within the room was genuine. The conversation was enjoyable as the audience was fully engaged with Davis.
Davis and Gesner joked about how she should start asking the audience members since the members of the audience weren’t asking her any questions during the questionnaire section. (Photo was taken by Kendonisha Reckley) 
Davis mentioned that following her father’s footsteps and serving in the U.S. Air Force for four years turned her into the person she is today. (Photo was taken by Kendonisha Reckley) 
Davis mentioned how there must be a balance that we must have as a community to police officers. (Photo was taken by Kendonisha Reckley) 
Davis answered a question from Chrismsa, a student at Saint Leo, who was one of the first to ask a question during the questionnaire section. (Photo was taken by Kendonisha Reckley)
Davis emphasized that all people must have equal opportunities to succeed now that she is in a leadership position.
“Learn something about everything. It’s not always what you can do, but what you do for others,” Davis said.
In the closing part of the event, the audience was given the opportunity to ask questions to Davis. Saint Leo University student, Caramia Davis, was one of the many to ask a question about the expectations we place on the police department and the expectations that we have to think that they have to take responsibility for certain things.
“We need to find balance; I don’t believe in defunding the police. Crime has skyrocketed in some major cities and the country can’t afford for police to stay home for twenty-four hours. Just give us 24 hours off the street, it’ll be a disaster,” Davis reflected. “So, we have to be very realistic about the time that we live and balance how we provide public safety.”
It was an enjoyable event with more than 100 Saint Leo students, alumni, faculty, and members of the community coming together both in-person and online to hear about Davis and her accomplishments.
Saint Leo developed this program to inspire and engage community members such as students, faculty, and anyone with a desire to learn. Mission-Driven Leaders: Conversations on Purpose is an event that features speakers who showcase the values that Saint Leo represents.
