Jackson, a resident of Roxbury, is Managing Director of the Center for Law, Equity and Race (CLEAR) at Northeastern University. She will coordinate the execution of the project. Jackson brings expertise in local government, both as a public official and a scholar. From 2012 to 2020 she served as Mayor of Lithonia, Georgia, having previously served as city attorney and council member. Jackson holds a PhD and MA in public policy and community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University, a JD from Rutgers, an MA in political science and international affairs from Rutgers, and an AB (history) from Princeton University, with certificates in African American and Latin American studies.