Life & Work with Summer Jackson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Jackson.

Hi Summer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am an award-winning, outgoing, multi-talented, nationally recognized Television Journalist: Host, Reporter, Producer, Entertainment, Lifestyle Expert and Influencer based in Atlanta, Georgia. I earned my Master of Arts in Mass Communication and Media Studies at Howard University and I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana. I discovered my passion for communications at age eight, while growing up in the Suburbs of Chicago, I won the district-wide speech contest, it was my first speech competition. I knew then that I was born to use my voice. Recently, I won the Def Jam Recordings Award for Outstanding Media. My career has spanned national and local network affiliates NBC, ABC and FOX, across the country.

Prior to the pandemic, I hosted a bi-weekly shopping segment and I was a regular fill-in Co-Host and Correspondent on TV One’s national talk show“ Sister Circle.” Additionally, I worked as a producer and on-air talent on the “The Daily Buzz,” on POP-TV (formerly TV Guide Channel). Prior to returning to Atlanta, I was a Segment Producer and Reporter in Chicago at WCIU-TV on the daily live morning talk show, “You & Me This Morning.” I hosted, developed content, booked and produced live and taped segments about restaurants, fashion/beauty and celebrity-related topics in Chicago.

My career covers news and entertainment, as a Reporter/Producer/Host/Anchor, at various television network affiliates across the country—including stations in Danville, Illinois (NBC-WICD); Baton Rouge (ABC-WBRZ) and New Orleans (FOX-WVUE), Louisiana; Atlanta, Georgia (ABC-WSB); and Chicago, Illinois (CLTV/WCIU-TV).

Throughout my career, I have reported about crime, education, politics and feature stories and breaking news, such as Hurricane Katrina and the historic ending of the longest-running school desegregation case in the country. Throughout my career, I have interviewed a host of political leaders, fashion/beauty experts, restauranteurs, and celebrities including–Angela Bassett, Sanaa Lathan, T.I., Judge Mathis, Andy Cohen, Tyler Perry, Dylan Lauren, and even Oprah Winfrey.

As a Lifestyle Expert, I have worked with brands such as Stacy’s Cheese Petites, Macy’s, Home Depot, Art Van Furniture, Ulta Beauty, Lancôme, and NARS, just to name a few. Currently, I am Freelance Segment Host at WSB-TV (ABC) in Atlanta. Also, I am an Adjunct Professor at Clark Atlanta University, where I teach Journalism and Communications to the next generation of Media Professionals. I have also developed and facilitated professional development workshops at Georgia State University. Outside of Academia, I coach clients in media training and public speaking through my company, Summer Jackson Media Group.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life is full of obstacles and challenges. I have learned that it is about how you respond to those moments and the lessons learned along the way that make the difference. Along the way I have definitely learned to never give up!

One of my major professional challenges I faced was experiencing Hurricane Katrina. When the Storm hit, I was a News Reporter and Fill-in Anchor in New Orleans at the FOX affiliate. I had completed 1-year of my 3-year contract and every thing was going very well. About 6-months prior, I was promoted from weekends to the station’s first morning show reporter for their new AM Newscast. So, when the storm hit I was totally caught off guard. Hurricane Katrina, left the news station under water and I knew that it would be a long road back to “normal” life in New Orleans. So, I moved back to my hometown Chicago, little did I know at the time, that my dream job was on the way. I quickly landed the opportunity to freelance as a news reporter. However, within months, I was brought on as a full-time Entertainment Host and Reporter for a fun show, called “metromix.” The opportunity was a dream come true because I was working in Chicago, the #3 Market in the Country and most of importantly, my hometown! My parents were able to see me on television everyday! I’m so glad that I didn’t give up because of the storm.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am so proud to have worked as a Journalist my entire career and that my experience has branched out to include working in communications in general and as a Professor. It is a blessing to be able to impact the next generation of budding journalists. When I teach my students I instruct them from a perspective rooted in scholarship and practice.

There are many things that I am proud of in my career. I started working as a Television Bureau Chief shortly after graduation from college, in the small town of Danville, Illinois. My journey has taken me from there to working at major television affiliates in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta and on 2 nation television programs. I’ve had the chance to cover major news stories like Hurricane Katrina, to red carpets, movie premieres, restaurants, fashion and beauty topics. My interviews have included everyone from local leaders to celebrities and even, the talk show maven, Oprah Winfrey. I once dreamed of the opportunities that I have experienced professionally and I am beyond grateful that God has blessed me to experience them. My career journey has really been beyond my imagination and the script is still being written.

What sets you apart from others?
I would have to say my outgoing personality, creativity and tenacity make me unique. I am fueled by my desire to keep learning, growing and evolving.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The Covid-19 Crisis has taught me many life lessons. One of the greatest lessons has been that God will keep us through any storm, we just have to trust him and be willing to adapt. Many of my television projects shut down during the crisis, however, I was also teaching at Clark Atlanta University. So, I had to get my classes online, which took an abundance of adaptability. Not only I was responsible for keeping myself encouraged and inspired, but most importantly, I had to keep my students feeling hopeful, positive and learning during a very difficult time in the world. We have all learned great lessons in being adaptable and serving with grace.

As a Journalist and on-air professional, I transitioned to working from home to create segments for the ABC Affiliate in Atlanta. Also, I started hosting virtual events for clients, which have included Georgia State University, Laini Fluellen Charities and Black Women Film Network (Short Film Competition and 2021 Virtual Summit).

Additionally, I have expanded my services through Summer Jackson Media Group to include hosting, virtual hosting, video production, public speaking coaching and media training. Adaptability has been the key to continuing to create during the Covid-19 Crisis.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summerjacksontv/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/summerjacksontv/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SummerJacksonTV/status/1331070874825404416

Image Credits
Photo Credits: Jarvis Releford -Starks Films