One of Rev. J.D. Jackson’s crowning achievements was participating in the Dec. 4, 2019, ribbon-cutting of the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Plaza in Highland Park. J.D. sparked the initiative 10 years prior to illuminate the existing Douglass Monument, the first in the country to an African American. The new plaza achieves illumination of the statue and provides a prominent location within the Park. This initiative was pursued as a direct result of his involvement with the efforts for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the admonishment of his fraternity brother, Civil Rights icon Andrew Young, at the November 13, 2006, Memorial Groundbreaking to “turn the dirt” when you return home to your local community. (Click to watch the video.) In addition to serving as acting Pastor at Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church he serves as a Chaplain at St. John’s Home.