Emerald's Jewels, Inc.

From fast-food restaurant crew member to licensed psychologist who owns his own practice, I must credit my start to Denise Jackson’s ability to see and speak up about the potential she saw in me. I will forever be grateful for the trust and boost of confidence she gave me when I had yet to build a track record worthy of that trust. This generation of youth needs more Denise Jackson(s).

Emerald's Jewels is the eyes of God seeing needs in the community, the hands of God reaching out to touch humanity, and the feet of God taking community members to new experiences and expanding horizons.

Being an educator, Emerald's Jewels was the vehicle through which I was able to expose some of my underserved students to great speakers and advocates of education, such as Dr. Ben Carson. Taking students to Johns Hopkins University Hospital was an experience that my students would not have had if not for Emerald's Jewels. They were transported from a suburb of Philadelphia to the University in Baltimore, had lunch provided, and toured the African American Wax Museum for a very reasonable cost! Experiences like this helped my students to see the value of education and to foster an appreciation for the accomplishments of minorities. Hands of God reaching out to touch humanity, and the feet of God taking community members to new experiences and expanding horizons.

Honestly, I don’t know where to begin. Words can’t express the admiration and appreciation that I have for Ms. Jackson. She was there for me at a time in my life when I needed her the most. As a young lady on the brink of adulthood, I had no real family, no home, and no education, Ms. Jackson opened up her home to me and offered me stability, guidance, and love. When she opened her home to me, she also opened her heart. I wasn’t just a teenager living in her home. She provided guidance spiritually and naturally. She never treated me as if I was “roomer”, she treated me as if I was her family. She is an example of what a true lady and woman of God are. She worked hard and provided not only a home but a sanctuary of hope and ambition to not just settle in life, she gave my confidence and faith that I could be successful. She taught me budgeting and time management. She also encouraged me to want the most out of life. I honestly don’t know where I would have ended up had she not been such a giving and loving person. I appreciate you more than you know!