We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachel R. Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.
Diane Ross is one of the best bosses I’ve ever had. Diane was a “tough teacher” she gave me a chance in a field I knew nothing about. What made her amazing was she trained me every step of the way. She taught me everything she knew. Diane was a true leader. She empowered me at a time when I felt lost in a world that felt broken. She helped me find the pieces inside myself to start building my life. I was only 20 years old when I went to work for Diane. I am the woman I am because she saw something in me at a time I needed to be reminded.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Rachel R. Jackson is the Founder of Project Compassion, NFP. At the age of 25, Rachel followed the calling in her heart to help those in need. Since 2005, Project Compassion, NFP has assisted over 100,000 homeless, disadvantaged, and low-income men, women, and children. Rachel Renata has both received local and national awards for her work, including:
Barack Obama Silver Presidential Award.
Daily Point of Light Award.
Rachel is the recipient of the Lindenwood University Outstanding Alum
Secret Deodorant Strong Enough for a Woman award presented by Tyra Banks
Powerful Difference award by ABC Radio & Pine Sol
BASIC Citizen of Character award
Lindenwood University Outstanding Alum award
Top Ladies of Distinction “Extraordinary Women” award
Delta Economic Development Corp Award “Heroes Among Us” award.
TOCO “Making a Difference” award
In 2011 Rachel opened the Compassionate Resource Campus in Belleville, IL, a full-service facility campus that enhances the lives of disadvantaged women and children through empowerment, education, and compassion. Rachel led the charge in PC-NFP, receiving a Proclamation from the Mayor of Belleville, IL, declaring October 29th “Compassion Day” in the city of Belleville (2014).
Rachel Renata has been featured in the June 2008 and December 2014 issues of Ebony Magazine. MORE Magazine, Oprah (O) Magazine, Glamour Magazine, Gazelle Magazine, Southern Living, and Country Women Magazine. Rachel was featured in Black Professional Women (2011 & 2016)
Rachel has launched the first Self-Esteem & Self-Worth program called Empower-Me in St. Clair County, IL working with 30 school districts to inspire youth and girls by building beauty from the inside first, character-building, and continuing education. Rachel is the host of the Girlz On Purpose Tour.
Rachel’s motto is “ It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
Rachel has a B.S in Business Administration, M.A in Professional Counseling, Rachel is a certified Civil Mediator and Therapist. Rachel is the Senior Consultant at RachelRenata.com
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn sacrificing myself for others. Losing my mother at 19 and being rejected by my father I wanted to be accepted by everyone. I spent my 20’s trying to please my family and friends. Giving my last to make sure they were ok. Then I found myself “not ok” I found myself needing sacrifices. I had to stop and reevaluate myself and those around me. I stopped allowing the history of our relationship to determine its value. I had to place my own mental and emotional well-being first. I put my safety first. I set financial boundaries. I learned that this did not make me selfish. This made me responsible for my well-being and held others accountable for what they brought into the relationship.
Ultimately, everyone started showing up as their best self or we found a way to allow the relationship to dissolve. I’ve learned that love is not war. Love is lifting.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
“You will not lose your mind” is what I woke up and told myself every day in 2000 and for the first year after unexpectedly losing my mother at the age of nineteen. My ability to fully comprehend how and why this was happening to me wasn’t entirely possible. Deeply hurt and overwhelmed with feeling abandoned by her passing, I felt all I had was my mind left. If I could keep my mind, I would make it through this.
“You can’t die here.”
This is what I told myself from 2014 to 2016 after filing for divorce, and my ex-husband abruptly stopped fulfilling his financial obligations and becoming someone I never knew. The fear and frustration that consumed me each day made me feel that I had come to the end of my road. My body started physically giving out on me. I endured two emergency surgeries and struggled with exhaustion and fatigue for 2 years. I was also enrolled in a master’s program for Professional Counseling while working full-time. A very dark valley lay between where I was then and now. It rained in that valley every day. I just showed up every day as a mother, sister, friend, and business owner expected to perform each role, but I didn’t have the strength. I just walked through the valley — step by step. I had to deal with it all.
Deep down, I just wanted God to fix it all. I was exhausted. God never spoke a word, and I barely could see Him moving on my behalf, yet I knew He was there. He was with me.
I was in more than a battle for peace of mind, I was in a fight for my life. I had to finish everything I had started. I knew on the other side was everything I had ever prayed for. I refused to die, and my mind became my greatest weapon. Over the years, I’ve leaned into the promises of God more than I ever had in my life. It was His word that allowed me to have hope. I stood firm on knowing that if I survived that, surely, I would survive this, and I did. Project Compassion is now 17 years old, I have a healthy co-parenting relationship with my ex-husband, I met and married a man that is good for my soul, I finished my Master’s with a 4.0 and is currently working on my Ph.D
I realized I hadn’t lost anything I had only grown.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.projectcompassionnfp.org
- Instagram: @projectcompassion_nfp
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/projectcompassionnfp
- Linkedin: project-compassion-nfp
- Twitter: @pcnfp