Original Story on WABE by Maria Saporta
Atlanta’s first African-American mayor, Maynard Jackson, was elected in 1973 when he was only 35. He went on to become a national pioneer – establishing affirmative action and joint venture programs to better integrate the economy – both in Atlanta and throughout the United States.
And producers are working a documentary about his life.
On June 20, 2003, three days before he died, Maynard Jackson Jr. delivered the keynote address to a gathering of the National Association of Securities Professionals (NASP).
The organization was co-founded by Jackson in 1985 to be a venue for minorities working in the financial sector.
At that speech, Jackson called on the organization to combat what he called black apathy and white indifference in urban America.
Jackson begged for aggressive, intelligent leadership in the nation to continue to work on issues of equity and financial inclusion.
When NASP recently gathered for its national convention in Atlanta, members held a reception in Jackson’s honor.
Locals and visitors alike repeatedly said they would not have not been as successful without the former Atlanta mayor.
That is why producers and family members are making a documentary on Maynard Jackson.
The project is expected to cost about $3 million, and so far they have only raised $300,000.
Maynard Jackson III and his wife, Wendy Eley Jackson, are championing the documentary – working to ensure that the fight for economic integration is neither forgotten nor taken for granted.
I hope this is a critical analysis.