Reverend Jesse Lewis Jackson was a son of the South and a proud NAFEO North Carolina A & T University Distinguished Alumnus. North Carolina A & T is a NAFEO founding member and is the largest HBCU in the country. It is the # 1 public HBCU in the nation, the #1 producer of the nation’s African American engineers and agricultural scientists, and is one of the top three public research universities in the State of North Carolina.

Reverend Jackson did more than perhaps any single individual to transform the economic fabric of 21st-century America by championing “silver rights,” economic justice, corporate accountability, and service to humanity. Through Rainbow PUSH, he provided a graphic example of the interconnectivity and interdependence of humanity and how beautiful life could be if all of humanity came together as one.

In the pre-social media days Reverend was the quintessential “Influencer” who moved the masses. He optimized what Theodore Roosevelt called the “bully pulpit” better than anyone of his generation. It was said that he optimized the “attention economy” to influence policy and practice. Indeed, he did. He used it to improve the lot of workers, and to get the major fast-food corporations, like Burger King and McDonalds to open franchises to black and brown entrepreneurs who had been denied them. In so doing, Reverend Jackson expanded the black middle class and spawned many black millionaires. When people became more health conscious and called into question the fat and other unhealthy content of some Burger King and McDonald’s menu items, Reverend got his team to meet with the corporations and negotiated the addition of healthier food options. Influencer Jackson opened doors of opportunity in the automobile industry as well. His efforts and those of the National Rainbow Coalition drove major auto manufacturers, e.g., Ford, GM, and Toyota to increase African American dealership and supplier contracts.

Reverend’s work extended beyond the borders of the US. As an Independent International Diplomat, he organized “Aid & Trade” missions to areas of abject poverty, including war-torn countries, frequently taking with him small and disadvantaged business owners. He was responsible for hundreds of aid and trade contracts. He leveraged his stature and diplomatic prowess, to secure the release of prisoners and hostages, protest injustice, and foster dialogue in conflict zones. Reverend used his unparalleled diplomacy skills to secure the release of hostages and prisoners. Jackson’s actions frequently led to the US adjusting its foreign relations policies and practices.

I was privileged to serve with Reverend Jackson for more than four decades. Starting as a 14-year-old high school student with a dream of becoming a justice janissary—a Constitutional Law maven.

During my decades working with Reverend Jackson, he never lost sight of the importance of economic justice training, and education opportunities for students, faculty, and staff, especially for students attending HBCUs. I worked with him to create learning laboratories for hundreds of thousands of HBCU students, administrators, faculty, and staff, because Reverend understood:

An [HBCU] is not so much a place to become Independent
As it is a place to learn Mutual Dependence
And it is not so much a Harvest Ground
As it is a Road to Higher Ground

An [HBCU] is not so much a place to go
As it is a Place to Grow.
It is not so much
A Social Place
As it is a Sacred Place,
Rich With History, Struggle, With Meaning.

An [HBCU] is not so much
A Place to Be on Your Own
It is a place to Be at Your Best
[Because of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, The Legacy Continues]
(Taken from Mahogany Card)

Good Night Sweet Prince, and Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest
HAMLET
Collogue

NAFEO Tribute to Dr. Norman C. Francis

The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
Extends its Condolences and The Peace of God to the Family and Loved Ones of
Chairman Francis on his Transitioning From His Earthly Walk.
Dr. Norman C. Francis
served as the Chairman of the NAFEO Board of Directors for Eight Years &
Chair of the HBCU Capital Financing Board for Consecutive Years

We Thank and Salute Dr. Norman C. Francis
For Fifty Years of Service to Xavier University,
A NAFEO Founding Member

Just fifty years-a winter’s day-
As runs the history of a race;
Yet, as we look back o’er the way,
How distant seems our starting place
—James Weldon Johnson 1871-1938

We Thank and Salute Dr. Francis for His Selfless, Strategic, Patient, Brilliant Leadership of the Leaders of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Legions of Other Higher Education Leaders, For Four Decades….

…For His Serving as a NAFEO Progenitor so that HBCUs, PBIs,
& Blacks in Higher Education Might Have
A Focused, Thoughtful, Data-driven, Potent, Collective Voice….

The NAFEO Nation Thanks and Salutes Dr. Norman C. Francis
For His Scholarship, Mentorship, Self-determination, Discipline, Passion, Activism, Fortitude, Rectitude, Creativity, Collegiality, and Faith; His Heart Full of Love and Graceful Spirit that have Nourished the Souls, Fed the Minds, and Filled the Hearts, of More Than 200 Presidents and Chancellors Through The Years and
Called Us All to Our Better Selves.
I thank Chairman & Counselor Francis for Being a Stalwart Leader, Wise Counsel, Confidant & Anchor.

Good Night Sweet Prince, and Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest (Hamlet)

Lezli Baskerville, Esquire, NAFEO Chief Though/Action Leader & Counsel