Red Jacket Campaign & Gala

Our fundraising will culminate with the our virtual Red Jacket Gala on May 6, 2021. City Year Philadelphia’s annual Red Jacket Gala is a special event that brings together City Year champions for an engaging evening of inspiration. Join us virtually as we celebrate Philadelphia’s students and the work of City Year AmeriCorps members who dedicate one year of their lives to serve alongside teachers in our city’s systemically under-resourced schools.

The event also honors individuals who have shown extraordinary leadership in their communities as Idealist of the Year. Read more about this year's honoree below. 

Aldustus (A.J.) Jordan

Senior Vice President & Community Relations Co-Head for Wells Fargo

Throughout his career Aldustus (A.J.) Jordan has served as a strategic advisor, funder, and champion for City Year.  In his current role as Wells Fargo’s Senior Vice President and Community Relations Co-Head, A.J. is leading the transformation of the company’s national Community Relations function and managing a team of geographically based philanthropy professionals working to increase positive societal impact across the United States. 

A.J. has dedicated his career to developing highly effective partnerships that have empowered communities by harnessing the resources and influence of the private sector to benefit children and families.  He began his career as a social worker for Head Start and a children and youth advocate, organizing community coalitions to push for equitable public school funding and educational opportunities for underresourced communities.  A.J.’s professional impact has included working as a government relations leader in the healthcare sector to expand Medicaid services for low-income residents and helped implement an award-winning national philanthropic and employee volunteer program for a Fortune 500 hospitality company headquartered in Philadelphia.   

Throughout his career A.J. has received dozens of awards and professional recognition for his commitment and service to strengthening communities, including being named among the Philadelphia Tribune’s Most Influential African American Leaders for each of the past five years, the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Minority Business Leader Award, the Friends of the Urban Affairs Coalition Community Empowerment Award and the Maternity Care Coalition’s Driving Fatherhood Award. 

A.J.is a graduate of the University of Delaware and the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Social Policy and Practice.  He is a proud husband and father of two girls.