Connected to Community

This month we are highlighting some of the social entrepreneurs who have been a part of NBA’s Social Entrepreneurship (SENT) Cohort. Today, we are pleased to feature Deborah Jackson, a member of NBA’s 2026 SENT Cohort and founder of Heart to Soul Becoming Whole. Heart to Soul Becoming Whole offers spiritually grounded, clinically informed restorative care for clinicians, family caregivers, and spiritual leaders through licensed clinical support, board-certified chaplaincy, & moral injury competence.

Deborah recently joined us to share what inspired her to apply for the SENT Cohort and what it was like to participate in the program.

What inspired you to apply for the SENT Cohort? 

I believe the most accurate words would be motivated and thrilled. I found out by accident about SENT through someone within my denomination who had asked me to write a recommendation for them. As I wrote the recommendation, I could not believe that something so perfectly aligned with my goals and dreams was available to me through my own denomination. I was newer to my denomination through my journey to become a Board-Certified Chaplain and coming through CPE (oddly through the same person) I immediately applied myself upon learning about the Cohort. It represented more than an opportunity to advance my vision, but also a welcome opportunity to connect with others and be part of a community.

Can you describe the impact the SENT Cohort had on you? 

SENT has impacted me so far in several ways. It has been a long time since I’ve been able to laugh and meet other entrepreneurs (especially within a faith context) pursuing their dreams. From the first retreat in Atlanta, the relational impact has been meaningful to my life and timely to my own healing journey. Additionally, the impact has encouraged me as an entrepreneur and framed with greater precision and understanding what the journey not only looks like, but also feels like in reality. I am not alone. SENT has also supported my depth and hopefulness of what is possible through the organizations that have presented and served us as new Cohorts. Even during difficult times, organizations are still moving and flowing and thriving. Although each organization is uniquely different, it still places concreteness to what is possible and the resources that are available.

What was your favorite part of being involved with the SENT Cohort?

The in-person retreats and the presentations from experts. Another favorite part was the demeanor and consistency of the leaders Ashley and Darnell. They are sincere, kind, and committed to creating the space for not only our development as entrepreneurs and supporting our vision, but also our personhood and sustainability through it as humans.

If someone in your network was considering applying for the SENT Cohort, what advice would you give them?  

I would share with them the significance of becoming connected to a community such as this to support their own psychological and spiritual process. The program is unique in this way. I would also share that life happens and is so incredibly unpredictable. There is no magic pill to success, but SENT becomes a foundational piece to moving forward, becoming equipped, making progress, and developing the knowledge and tools to succeed. SENT also brings real connections to specific areas that will be helpful along the journey – during and after.

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Applications are currently being accepted for NBA’s 2027 Social Entrepreneurship Cohort. This 12-month program leads faith-rooted social entrepreneurs like Deborah Jackson through a journey of active process of formation and conversation and provides the opportunity to receive specialized coaching to help support and strengthen their social enterprise. Learn more and start the application process at https://nbacares.org/secohort. Applications will be accepted through August 1st.