Dr. Carlenia “Jackie” Jackson holds a Ph.D. in Human Service with a specialization in Counseling Studies from Capella University, a Master of Arts Degree in Community Agency Counseling as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Psychology both from Hampton University. Dr. Jackson has worked in non-profit management for over 11 years as Executive Director of Girls Incorporated of the Greater Peninsula. As a non-profit leader her major role is to empower and educate girls and young women to make strong, smart and bold decisions. As a non-profit leader she also advocate for equality for girls and young women in an inequitable society. As part of her advocacy she recently testified before the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Committee on Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives on Girls in the Juvenile Justice System: Strategies to Help Girls Fulfill Their Full Potential. In addition, she delivered the keynote address at the 2009 Federal Women’s Program Strategies for Your Future Conference at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. She further provided her expertise as a panelist for the Alonzo Mourning Zo’s Youth Summit in Chesapeake, Virginia on “The Black Doll White Doll Experiment: A discussion about race,” with over 500 youths in attendance. Dr. Jackson’s dissertation is titled, “Forgotten victims: Mothers of sexually abused girls.” Through a qualitative basic interpretive research designed study, her research explored the lived experience of mothers whose daughters were sexually abused by a trusted adult. The study findings revealed that the mothers who participated in the study developed ineffective working models of self as well as others; therefore, mothers need treatment options that will empower them by assisting them to understand how their own childhood experiences influenced the way in which they view sexual abuse, the trauma and psychological effects of sexual abuse, and how to parent a sexually abused child.

In addition to her work at Girls Inc, Dr. Jackson is a professor at Capella University in the School of Public Leadership. In her role as a faculty member at Capella University, Dr. Jackson mentors doctoral researchers through the dissertation process. She also serves as a doctoral comprehensive examination reviewer. She has also served as a grant reviewer panelist for the Administration on Children, Youth and Families Discretionary grants. Dr. Jackson has received many acclaim for her achievements. Among her many accolades she received the Humanitarian and Excellence in Ministry Award from the Kingdom Bible Institute, an appreciation Award for serving as Arts & Humanities Judge for the Continental Societies, Inc. Health, Education, Employment and Recreation (H.E.E.R.) Program, awarded the Robert C. Ford Human Services Scholarship for three years for her work toward her doctoral studies (2004-2007). Dr. Jackson was inducted in the Delta Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society (2000), she is a 2000 Hampton University Summa Cum Laude Graduate, recognized in the National Registry of Who’s Who In Executives and Professionals (2005-2006 editions), recognized on the National Dean’s List of Outstanding College Students (2001-2002), recognized in Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges (2001-2002 edition) and was appointed to the Atlantic Regional Local Human Rights Committee by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. She is a member of the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) Advisory Board, Newport News, VA and serve on the executive committee as the assistant secretary for Friends of Hampton Roads, Incorporated, a non-profit organization that have raise and awarded over $500,000.00 in scholarship to college bound deserving African American students.

She is married to Mr. John Burton, International Security Contractor in Afghanistan, and the proud parent of two daughters, Kissie 34 and Faith 23, and two grandsons, Tyrese 12 and Omari 9. Dr. Jackson is a native of Tarboro, North Carolina and resides in Yorktown, Virginia.