JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Sunday is all about celebrating mothers and mother figures, and a church on the Northside is empowering women to be the best leaders they can be.
The Mother’s Day service at the Greater Macedonia Baptist Church of Northside was dedicated to the women in our lives and our community.
The church honored Brenda A. Priestly Jackson, a wife and mother of four who also serves as a City of Jacksonville councilmember.
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She runs a foundation helping high school students find college opportunities. (You can read more about her accomplishments here.
”It was really special, it was such a loving — you could feel the Holy Spirit in the place, you really could,” she said.The goal is to empower mothers and mother figures to be these three “P-words”: Prominent, Positive, Persuasive.
They’re qualities Jackson says women can use anywhere.
”That prominence, that positivity, that persuasiveness that I may use as a councilmember or attorney, or an education provider,” Jackson explained, “I’m first called — the first community you’re called to serve, is your family.”
Meanwhile, her family is in awe of how she helps her community.
”She cares more about this city than anyone I know,” her son Kalif Jackson said.
Her family is constantly impressed by the way she’s redefining roles.”[My mom’s accomplishments] helped expand who leaders are, because she is a strong Black woman,” her son, Malik Jackson, said.
“And so for her to be my mom, it’s a household where you can pursue whatever dream you have.”
”[My mom’s public leadership role] acts as a bonus because she’s always been my mom and she’s super cool,” said her daughter Kya Jackson.
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But Jackson credits the women before her, and wants women to lean on each other.
”There are so many mentors [and] so many other women who are doing positive things,” she pointed out.
The more women push the boundaries, her family says, the more everyone benefits.
”When you do that, you’re able to bring up yourself and others around you and then your community,” Kalif explained. “If you set a standard that being average is not the marker, then everybody would be excellent.”