cheryle jackson – the community’s resource
photo by steed media service |
President, Chicago Urban League
When the Chicago Urban League launches nextTV in January of 2009, President Cheryle R. Jackson will be wearing another hat – on-air host. In a partnership with Fox Chicago, the Chicago Urban League will present a 30-minute television and entertainment news program geared towards the African American community.
For Jackson, nextTV is another vehicle for the Urban League to promote and support economic empowerment in the community. Covering both local and regional issues, nextTV will also document entrepreneurs of color, highlighting their stories as a model for others. “You think you’ve got it tough? These people have it extra tough,” Jackson announced during the Urban League’s 47th annual Golden Fellowship Awards Dinner. “They had it tough when times were good and now that times are really tough, they’re hitting them extra hard.”
Borrowing from President-elect Barack Obama’s historic campaign, nextTV’s motto is, “A Change You Can See.” The program will also be used an educational blueprint for African American business owners.
“The Chicago Urban League has programs we developed … building on historic programs we had to use to help [people of color] fight to change their lives and believe their lives can be better,” Jackson says.
Jackson and her team are intent on making nextTV the perfect resource for community progress. “There’s one very powerful tool that I think can do more than any combination of programs,” she says. “[And] that’s the power of positive images.” –gavin philip godfrey
For more information, visit www.thechicagourbanleague.org.
