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THE 1954 PROJECT

2022

LUMINARY

William Jackson

Founder & Executive Director

Village of Wisdom

About the Leader

Dr. William P. Jackson is the Founder of Village of Wisdom (VOW), a non-profit organization that uses Black parent power to ensure that education decisions about Black learners support their consistent exposure to culturally affirming learning environments (CALEs) inside and outside of school. Under William's leadership, VOW has rapidly positioned Black parents as power brokers and thought leaders in education, specifically, as the prevailing voices in evidence-based culturally affirming learning. VOW launched with the support of fellowships with Echoing Green and Camelback Ventures. William's work is regularly recognized, including in 2019 as an Ashoka Fellow. Prior to founding VOW, he worked as a high school science teacher in Atlanta Public Schools and then at Frontline Solutions, a social change consulting firm, helping support organizations codify and clarify their strategies for equitable impact. William has a bachelor's degree from Norfolk State University, a master's degree from Georgia State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

About the Work

Village Of Wisdom (VOW) is a nonprofit organization that positions Black parents to influence powerful decisions that shape the spaces where Black folks learn.

THE 1954 PROJECT

Investing in Durable Leadership & Institutions

The 1954 Project identifies visionary education leaders whose work is strengthening Black communities and invests in them and what they are building with significant, flexible capital and long-term relationship.

 

Named for the year of the Brown v. Board of Education decision, The 1954 Project honors that promise by backing leaders closest to the work with resources that follow their vision. 

This is philanthropy shaped by trust in leaders and commitment to what they’re building.

Meet More of the Network

Cinaiya Stubbs

Children's Place Association

Sharif El-Mekki

Center for Black Educator Development

Jamyle Cannon

The Bloc

Diarese George

Nashville Public Education Foundation

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