Nathan Jackson
Over the past seven weeks, more than 1,200 teens, ranging in ages of 13 –19, have been trained and enriched by 40 programs with the support of Front Porch Alliance. During this timeframe, students were not only exposed to employment opportunities to get practical work experience, but also to opportunities that enhanced academic and cultural enrichment while developing life and leadership skills.
Many of the programs addressed areas such as literacy, youth employment, college and career readiness, and physical fitness activities such as sports.
On Wednesday, July 19, at Front Porch Alliance’s End of the Summer Celebration, students will have an opportunity to meet and be inspired by a man who was once in their shoes just 15 years ago. Like many of the students that will be in attendance, United States Air Force Technical Sergeant Nathan Lewis Jackson grew up in Chattanooga’s Brainerd neighborhood. He attended local schools and earned his high school diploma from Brainerd High School in 2001. While at Brainerd High, TSgt. Jackson took part in several extracurricular activities including Chattanooga Racqueteers Tennis Association, Highland Park Boys Club of Chattanooga, Student Venture Campus Crusade For Christ, and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Upward Bound, Inc. His most notable accomplishments were teaming with his twin brother, Nicholas Bernard Jackson, as Brainerd’s Dynamic Duo Tennis Tandem. They led Brainerd’s Tennis Program to its first State Appearance in 1999 and in 2001 reaching the finals of the TSSAA State Finals.
Although drugs and alcohol surrounded him, he knew that he wanted to continue a tradition set forth by his grandfather and commit himself to joining the United States Armed Services. Both Nathan and Nicholas enlisted into the United States Air Force Active Duty in 2002. TSgt. Jackson has earned two Associate Degrees, a B.S. in Business Information Systems, and a MBA with a concentration in Strategic Leadership while serving the Air Force.
As the keynote speaker at the End of the Summer Celebration, TSgt. Jackson plans to share his inspirational story to encourage students towards enrichment and employment opportunities as stepping-stones to their success.
The celebration will be on Wednesday, from 10 a.m.-noon, at the Brainerd BX, 4011 Austin Street.