Sep 30, 2006 9:41 am US/Central
New President Of Urban League Makes History
Cheryle Jackson Is First Woman President Of Civil Rights Or
by Suzanne Le Mignot
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Sunday marks an historic day for the Chicago Urban League when the organization's new president, Cheryle Jackson, becomes the first woman to head it up.
As CBS 2's Suzanne LeMignot reports, Jackson, who was chief press secretary for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, says she is ecstatic about her new challenge.
"When that phone call came, it was incredible; it was incredulous," Jackson said. "I was having an out-of-body experience!"
Jackson was talking about learning she beat out more than 30 candidates to become the new president at chief executive officer of the Chicago Urban League. Jackson is now the first woman ever to lead the 90-year-old organization, replacing James Compton. He was at the helm of the social service agency for more than three decades.
"It's stunning," Jackson said. "You know, you want it, but it's hard to believe that you actually got it, but you're so glad you got it."
Jackson is a person of many firsts. She is the only African-American woman ever to serve as chief press secretary for an Illinois governor. She joined Gov. Blagojevich's staff in 2003.
During her tenure, Jackson was forced to deal with scandals. Chief among them was the ongoing federal investigation of corruption within the Blagojevich administration. The scandal involved conflicting statements – was the governor questioned by federal agents? First, she said publicly that he was not, but then later both she and Gov. Blagojevich admitted that he was.
Jackson was the public face, and through it all, she persevered. It was during that time that she learned to navigate a crisis and make a difference.
"I got a chance to be reminded of the struggles that minority businesses and in particular, African-American businesses go through," Jackson said.
Jackson said her childhood is what prompted her to go after the Chicago Urban League position. Born in Chicago, she grew up in Memphis, Tenn. There, she saw firsthand how her own father would struggle with discrimination.
At one organization, Jackson said, "He was told point blank that they don't hire African-Americans, and if they did, it would be one from Memphis, not from the north."
Her father ended up starting his own accounting firm. Her mother composed classical music. Jackson's father has since passed away, but she said her parents' determination to succeed is what inspired each day.
"I'm a product of the civil rights movement," Jackson said. "I benefited from everything that the civil rights leaders and my parents fought for."
Jackson was the first African-American woman to hold the position of vice president of communications at National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. At Amtrak, she was also the first African-American in the senior government affairs department.
Jackson said her past job experience will help her achieve her goals for minority business owners.
Those goals include "access to capital, to financing, growing your business – basically, how do you grow and become bigger and stronger," Jackson said.
The Northwestern University graduate also has a vision of the organization teaming up with business leaders to rebuild communities and create opportunities for minorities.
"Areas like Bronzeville, and some parts of the West Side, and even the Stony Island corridor, are ripe – on the precipice of change – and they're undergoing rebirth," Jackson said. "Is there a role for the Urban League in that development?"
Jackson said the first thing she will be doing is working on increasing membership in the league. She wants to focus on getting her generation involved in the organization.
She says members of her generation are the people who have benefited from the civil rights movement, and she says it is time for them to give back.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
