Kay Jay

EMERGING FROM THE ASHES

As the late Bob Marley stated, "Every man has the right to decide his onw destiny." With this right of choice comes a time in a man's life when he must face the reality of the consequences of his actions. It is at this moment of eva lutation and realization that the weight of those actions are laid in the balance of worthiness. As the legacy of life is given application to present day situation what will be the voice of your legend; the substance of your living; or your contribution to mankind? A sadden state is that some never awaken to the reality of the connectedness of us all. Our ancestors of pass, contemporaries of present, and offspring of tomorrow are inseparably linked together in the contention of survival. Due to the connectedness of our contentions we all have something to contribute. History bears witness that with each plight of a people a voice emerges with a vision of liberation. Dr. Kevin T. Jackson in our present times is emerging as a phoenix from the ashes to be such a voice.

Dr. Jackson states, "I am a product of the many faces of Hip Hop, it flows through my veins." His story is both intriguing and inspirational, reflecting the reality that many of our young men are faced with today. But there is a twist. At the age of 19, Dr. Jackson was confronted with the reality of his life's legacy as he awaited his fate before a jury of his peers.

It all began 18 years ago in 1991. After graduating from William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 17, a young Kevin a.k.a. Kay Jay, relocated to North Carolina to join his older brother who was enjoying a successful career in the Night Club Entertainment Business. Being drawn into the joys of the parties and fast paced night life, two years later, Kay Jay was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to serve the next 27 years of his life in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. It was at this moment that Kay Jay's journey of self discovery began.

Being designated to the Maximum Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, GA, he had a lot of time to reflect on his past, present, and the distance future that he hoped to survive to. His first realization was that lack of experience and limited education resulted in detrimental decision making. It was this same lack that gave others the advantage over him. "Your ignorance is a weapon in the hands of your adversary, voluntarily sur rending your rightful freedoms and liberties," says Jackson. Discovering the empowering and liberating affects of education he soon began taking advantage of the College programs offered through the Institution. He achieved a Diploma Degree in Small Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing Management and a second Diploma in Business and Office Technology. As he continued to empower himself by walking through the doors of educational opportunities he was accepted into College and later Graduate School. He received his ABS; BBS; MTS; and D.min Degrees. He also received a PhD in International Relations.

"Ignorance is no longer an obstacle to my advancement," says Jackson. After 16 years of bidding (term for doing federal time), due to changes in Federal drug laws, Dr. Jackson is anticipating a long overdue early release. Teaming up with colleagues, alumni, and friends, Dr. Jackson has formed, THE DR. KEVIN T. JACKSON FOUNDATION, which advocates social, economical, and educational empowerment through networks and mentorship. Dr. Jackson says, "The future of society is embodied in the youth of today. As members of the community of mankind, it is our obligation to empower them with the knowledge to succeed. Emergence from any and every obstacle or hinderance is inevitable as you make the choice to emancipate your mental capacity. We are the predecessors that must advantage our successors through social, economical, and educational empowerment. The sum total of the whole is greater than the subtotal of an individual. We emerge from the ashes of ignorance together."

The phoenix is a bird of legend said to consume itself by fire after centuries and rise renewed from its ashes. Dr. Jackson has emerged from the ashes of his ignorance to become an empowering educator. He now empowers others to rise from those very same ashes as well. "We need more Thugs that think, and Divas that discern," explains Jackson. The empowering effects of his efforts are not going without notice; Dr. Jackson is now In The Know.

To learn more about the compelling story of Dr. Jackson and the vision of "THE DR. KEVIN T. JACKSON FOUNDATION" send your emails to: drktjacksonfd@aol.com or write Kevin T. Jackson 14541056, 2680 Highway 301 South, Jesup, GA 31599

Shouts out to Big Nutt and the 424 Movement. He is keeping it real within the game of life.