In 1996, Jackson founded The Black Star Project in Chicago, determined to close the academic achievement gap and improve life outcomes for Black and Brown youth. But he didn’t stop there. He built pathways to opportunity. He held systems accountable. He challenged the status quo at every turn—and he did it with dignity, tenacity, and an unshakeable belief in the brilliance of our children.

In 2004, Jackson launched the very first Million Fathers March with a powerful idea: if fathers showed up at the school doors on the first day, the world would begin to take notice. That idea became a movement.

Over the next decade, his message traveled from city to city, growing from a local action to a national call—mobilizing tens of thousands of Black fathers and male caregivers to stand with their children and reclaim their presence in education, family, and public life.

Phillip Jackson's brilliance was rooted in both intellect and heart. He served in influential positions—CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority, Chief of Education for the City of Chicago, and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Chicago Public Schools. Yet it was his work on the streets and in the hearts of families that defined his legacy.

Phillip didn’t ask for credit. He asked for commitment. He reminded us that systems don’t change unless we change them. And he believed that strong fathers—not just present, but powerful—were essential to that change.