Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, 92.9 WTUG, Praise 93.3, 105.1 The Block, and the Tuscaloosa Thread are proud to present the 2023 Black History Makers of Alabama.

Yellowhammer State is filled with great African American leaders from the past, present, and future. We thank our West Alabama community partners, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Phi Lambda Chapter, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Xi Omega Chapter for their continued support.

Black History Maker - Karen Thompson-Jackson

Photo Courtesy of Karen Thompson-Jackson
Photo Courtesy of Karen Thompson-Jackson
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Karen Thompson-Jackson grew up in Northport, Alabama graduating from Tuscaloosa County High School.  She received her Bachelor's (1989), Master's (1990), and Ph.D. (2019) degrees from the University of Alabama.

Thompson-Jackson has served as the Executive Director of Temporary Emergency Services since 1990.  Her background in social work and her emphasis on community services have made her a critical player in meeting the needs of so many of our indigent citizens. As the director, she has made sure to keep the mission of the organization at the forefront of the heart and ears of the community.

She serves as the current Tuscaloosa City School Board Representative for District One. Also, she has served as the President of the Junior League of Tuscaloosa having been the first minority President elected in the organization’s 90-year history. Thompson-Jackson proudly serves as a Member-At-Large to the Association of Junior Leagues.

Her commitment is to the communities of West Alabama.  She is a past graduate of Leadership Alabama and Leadership Tuscaloosa. Thompson-Jackson also serves on the following Board of Directors: Tuscaloosa Symphony, Tuscaloosa Mental Health Alliance, Community Services of West Alabama, West Alabama Homeless Coalition, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama, and Phoenix House.

“Black History Month in my heart comes back to heritage, commitment, and progression in our lives and our community. I looked on my wall at my grandfather, Dr. McDonald Hughes. I thought about his journey from Industrial High School to Druid High School and his commitment to educating our youth. The progression from his journey as a community leader, educator, and advocate for change. Our heritage lives within us, our community, and our future. We have to commit to allowing progression to occur, while never forgetting our heritage of where we have come from, to where we are going to stop our journey of Black History in the making.”

Her award collection is stacked with numerous achievements. She is most proud of being the 2005 Rotary Rose Recipient, the 2005 Leadership Tuscaloosa Award, the 2019 West Alabama Civic Hall of Fame inductee, the 2019 Community Foundation of West Alabama Pillar, and most recently recognized as a community leader by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Xi Omega chapter in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Thompson-Jackson enjoys her work as an adjunct professor at the UA School of Social Work.  She also serves as the administrative assistant to Elizabeth Baptist Church and is Co-Chair of the Stillman College Women’s Council. She is a proud member of the Tuscaloosa Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

In the true sense of enjoying life, family is extremely important to her. She is married to Paul Jackson and mother to five children. Her passion is giving her time to the community and enjoys going to the beach.

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2022 Black History Makers of Alabama

Black History Makers of Alabama 2021

Rising Star Character Students of the Month

During the 2022-2023 school year, Tuscaloosa City Schools, along with Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, Legal Services of Alabama and Child Abuse Prevention Services, will highlight Rising Star Character Students of the Month from each school in the district, highlighting two to three students each month.

Here's a recap of the previously recognized students!

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