Lolita Browning Jackson was installed as the first African American leader of the Buckhead Business Association. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Jackson earned her MBA at Clark Atlanta University. A former journalist, she has won the first-place award for investigative reporting from The Institute of Southern Studies and a Silver Gavel Award from the State Bar of Georgia for her writings on legal issues.
Currently a manager of external affairs at Georgia Power, Jackson served in the press office for the mayor of Atlanta during the late 1990s. She serves on the boards of several local nonprofits and loves spending free time with her husband and son. They reside in the Cascade area of Atlanta. –a. robinson
How did your investigative reporting background prepare you for the role as president of the Buckhead Business Association?
Asking questions and looking at issues in an objective manner. The ability to do that has been a major boost in this role. But actually, more than that, being a participant in Leadership Buckhead (2002-2003) was the ultimate preparation. It’s a nine-month program that really stressed authentic leadership skills focusing on qualities like ethics and values. There was one assignment per month; it was pure immersion training. For instance, one particular assignment meant a trip to the Holocaust Museum. A lot of what I learned has been applied to my personal life as well. It was a great experience and really prepared me for this role.
Any unique experiences as the first African American President of the BBA?
I’ve only had positive experiences and interactions. It’s an honor when someone attends a meeting because they want to support my tenure as president of the association and end up joining! People are amazed that you don’t have to live in Buckhead in order to be a member of the Buckhead Business Association.
Tell us about Career Day at Garden Hills Elementary and Brown Bag Day at North Atlanta High.
We have an education alliance with these schools. In the past, we have brought speakers from different business sectors to North Atlanta High. Garden Hills Elementary has a math and science academic fair each year, and members of the BBA serve as judges. We are excited about doing more with Sutton Middle School this year. Our leadership team is working hard to expand our involvement there.
Do you have any advice for urban communities partnering with business associations?
I would say to them that a thriving business district is not organic. The BBA did not simply happen or appear. It thrives because of a decades-long partnership with the surrounding communities, religious institutions and educational outlets. They count on us to be supportive of their efforts and existence — a true partnership. We count on them to support the business community in Buckhead, and that support spans financial. We need them to communicate with their local officials on issues like crime prevention, public works maintenance, traffic control. The Buckhead community is a partnership that must work for all entitie, or it won’t work at all. So far, we’ve done pretty well, I think.
