Welcome Anikka King, Our New Economic Development Program Officer

Anikka King has joined LISC Jacksonville as Economic Development Program Officer, returning to what she calls “home” after having recently lived in Jacksonville for more than 16 years. King will lead economic development initiatives for LISC Jacksonville with a strong focus on enhancing the local network of Financial Opportunity Centers (FOCs). As part of developing LISC’s strategic economic development plan, she will also lead small businesses support, workforce development and related initiatives.

“LISC has so many capabilities nationally, and we have tremendous opportunity to leverage their playbook, create alliances and replicate mechanisms that are working in other cities to help Jacksonville improve economically for all communities,” said King. “Jacksonville is ripe for growth, and I am thrilled to have returned to be a part of it. I have been able to build so many important personal and professional relationships in this city and I feel like I have returned home.”

Most recently, King led economic development initiatives and strategic comprehensive planning for a municipality in Indiana, where she oversaw neighborhood revitalization, workforce development and nonprofit capacity building. Previously while in Jacksonville, King owned and operated ANFG, a financial services company, providing her with firsthand small business financial and operational experience as well as a deep understanding of the needs of urban communities. She has served on seven nonprofit boards throughout her career and is a Paul Harris Fellow.

“King has the direct experience we need to help drive our efforts to uplift our urban core communities and comprehensively improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Irvin “PeDro” Cohen, executive director of LISC Jacksonville. “Her unique intuition, skills and background and the initiatives she will advance help better position us to capitalize on the opportunities in front of us. We are very pleased to welcome her back to Jacksonville.”

King, originally from Indiana, will complete her Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Anderson University in Indiana in the near future. She is also the proud mother of three children, one of whom recently graduated from West Point with a second in her third year at West Point.