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The Jackson chapter is composed of strong, committed individuals working to making Jackson a better community through anti-crime work, community development, and coalition building.

The chapter was extremely successful in fighting for city funds to revitalize East Jackson after a tornado devistated the area in 2003. The city was not dedicating sufficient funds to East Jackson, a traditionally low income African American community. 

The Jackson chapter is SOCM’s newest chapter and the first to locate in West Tennessee. It launched its work in 2008.

One of the chapter’s highlights is its annual event, Save Our Community Day, which brings hundreds of Jackson and Madison County residents together to discover ways in which toimprove their community. The event offers music, dance, and other entertainment, as well as a voter registration booth and information about health and human services in Jackson and lots of kids activities. 

Jackson members are active in the Anti-Racism Transformation Team, serve on the board, and contribute to the statewide work of SOCM in numerous ways. 

Elaine Carter, a former chapter member, described the day. “We had a great turn out! Everyone had a good time, and we received feedback from the attendees about their concerns for the community.  I also think it brought the members of our newly formed chapter together and allowed us to see that we can make a positive contribution.”

According to Byanker Cole, “It was a day of ‘joint ventures’. Race, religion, gender, and politics all joined together peacefully in one accord. It didn't matter who or what we were or believed in on Save Our Community Day. On that first Saturday in October at Muse Park, I saw different races, different religions, and even different people from the local political arenas. We actually came together, had fun, enjoyed entertainment and food together, and cited concerns within our community. I believe that this was the first step of many for future resolution of concerns and unity in our community.”

Following this event, the chapter created two committees, one devoted to youth and jobs and the other homelessness. Several of the people working with the committee on solutions to homelessness were homeless, and provided a more in-depth understanding and strategy approach to the group's work.

Members of the Youth and Jobs Committee developed new ways to provide teens with more job opportunities. Jacob Denton, a sixteen year old who attended a committee meeting, said, “I have been looking for a job, and I don’t get calls back after interviews.  It would really help me to know more about how to do them. The career center here isn’t very helpful.” Ruth Jackson, the committee chair, hoped that “by connecting youth with jobs, we can hopefully impact some other areas of concern like crime and drug use.” 

History 

JONAH, an organization in the Jackson area, worked in a way similar to SOCM’s, surfacing issues from community members. SOCM became involved with JONAH through the Southern Empowerment Project in the late 80’s. The JONAH chapter disbanded some years ago and some of its members continued to work with SOCM. In 2008, JONAH members joined with other folks in the Jackson City/Madison County area to form the Jackson Chapter.