Constance L. Jackson "Encouraging black leaders in industry, who espouse black self-determination, to invest in the medium of film that depicts the lives of wonderful and aspiring black folk of our past, will build a sense of pride and belonging within our culture." Company: Permanent Productions, Inc. and Publishing Co. Location: Rolling Hills Estates, CA Website: www.permproductions.com

Biography:
Constance L. Jackson is President/CEO of Permanent Productions, Inc., a film and book publishing company established in 2002. The most recent films recognized by the Pan African Film Festival and the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum that Jackson wrote, directed, produced, and co-funded is Over the River…Life of Lydia Maria Child, Abolitionist for Freedom (OTR). OTR, narrated by Ms. Diahann Carroll is an epic documentary about the first civil rights movement in America to abolish slavery and also about the life of one of America’s leading white female abolitionists who never wavered in her convictions to empower blacks and free them from the chains of indignity. Ms. Jackson’s publishing company distributes Over the River to media outlets, universities, schools, and libraries.

Ms. Jackson is also a speaker on issues pertaining to substance abuse and family dysfunction. Her films, Blitz Attack: The Andrea Hines Story (Parts I and II) are used as course material that is recognized by NAADAC and CAADAC for continuing education in behavioral sciences and drug and alcohol education and counseling. Ms. Jackson’s films are also shown in tandem with her speaking engagements.

Since 1986, Ms. Jackson has been an independent entrepreneur, running her own companies in the field of nutrition, medical practice management and marketing, and film and book publishing. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Ms. Jackson was the marketing manager for the well-regarded House Ear Research Institute, bridging the communication gap between the deaf community and the research institute that developed the cochlear implant. While working, she studied to become a registered dietician, later changing her degree, graduating with a degree in Speech Communication with a minor in Health Sciences.

After successfully running her health care management and marketing firm since 1986, Ms. Jackson decided that she wanted to do more for the community by making documentary films that would effect change.

Ms. Jackson is no stranger to struggle. The last child of eight from divorced deaf parents, whose mother raised them single-handedly, at 20-years-old, Ms. Jackson experienced great loss when her mother, the only person whom she believed loved her unconditionally, died. Struggling to find meaning in her life, at twenty, Ms. Jackson moved from Cleveland, Ohio to attend college in California with just a hundred dollars in her purse. Although she was without children, Ms. Jackson sought social services to help her get on her feet before entering college to study dietetics. Not stopping there, Ms. Jackson partnered with Steven Kaye, a physician and co-founder of Pritikin Longevity Center in Venice, California, starting one of the first nutritional counseling services in Los Angeles, second to the Pritikin Longevity Center.

Ms. Jackson continued pursuing her goals and also was among the first independent black-owned corporations that owned and operated the assets of a major occupational medical center in Los Angeles, California. Besides promoting her films and speaking on issues affecting people of color, women, and children, Ms. Jackson is completing her master’s degree in public health leadership.

Constance Jackson has a long list of community service leadership accomplishments: education committee member for Speaker Karen Bass of California State assembly, past state coordinator of public relations for the California National Organization; past president and board member of Soroptimist International of Los Angeles; education chair for Soroptimist International Region; and legislative committee member and speaker for Soroptimist International Legislative Workshop. Ms. Jackson also contributes to the Southern Poverty Law Center, NAACP, United Negro College Fund, and various community and national organizations.

Statement by Jackson:
Black Women’s Roles as Agents for Change

“...taken from many people’s points-of-view and not only just black people, historically, industry and black social conditions are perceived as being in congruence, with most employers denying our black children opportunities that are usually reserved for other groups. As agents of change, we must learn how to balance the two— empowering black children to have the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual fortitude to seize opportunities that are available.”

Availability:
Upon Scheduling.