Jarrett Royster

The National Director for Urban & Educational Development at YMCA of the USA

As National Director for Urban & Educational Development, Royster leads the YMCA’s strategic direction in better meeting the needs of some of the nation’s more distressed urban communities, and in particular, providing opportunities and access to help youth succeed in education.  The YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation’s 2,686 YMCAs, which serve nearly 21 million people each year, including 9.4 million children under the age of 18.

Prior to joining YMCA of the USA in September 2009, Royster served as Vice President of Urban Development & Eastside Operations for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte. There, Royster successfully worked with community leaders and members to revitalize the East Corridor, a struggling neighborhood in East Charlotte, by increasing economic development, re-engaging its community and advancing education opportunities in neighborhood schools. Royster also advanced the Charlotte YMCA’s diversity and inclusion efforts, grew Hispanic membership, and increased contributed income.

A 21-year YMCA veteran, Royster has served as the Charlotte YMCA’s Community Vice President and has held many roles as Regional Director and Executive Director at YMCAs in Philadelphia, Pa., Birmingham, Ala., Oklahoma, Okla., and Providence, R.I.

Demonstrating his commitment to advancing opportunities in urban communities, Royster developed a YMCA Urban Institute to build awareness of the work needed in distressed and struggling communities. While with the Charlotte YMCA, Royster traveled to Central America in 2007 to study issues related to immigration in order to better serve growing Hispanic communities.

Royster is a native of Providence, R.I., and holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Springfield College in Massachusetts. He is co-chair of the Eastland Area Strategies Team, a volunteer board in East Charlotte, and serves on the board of the East Charlotte Chamber of Commerce. Royster is also the co-founder and past president of the YMCA African American Executive Forum, black professionals committed to the upward mobility of people of color.