Over 30 years ago, Don Jackson decided to trailblaze his own path through life. He decided that he wanted to have an input in the way African Americans are portrayed in the media and also have an impact on their work ethic and professionalism. With this in mind, Central City Productions, Inc. a national television production, sales, and syndication company based in Chicago, IL was born.
A Chicago native who graduated from Marshall High School and later attended Northwestern University on a basketball scholarship, Jackson studied radio, television and film receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1965. In 1970, Jackson founded Central City Productions. Under his guidance and vision, CCP has brought a considerable number of programming to African Americans nationwide. “I created [Central City Productions] to tell stories about our people by us,” Jackson said.
He wanted to create a company that could produce, distribute, promote and sell shows at the same time; as he put it, “taking our fate into our own hands.” The goal was to present the stories of African Americans to our community and others all over the world.
Of course, Jackson faced obstacles during the onset of creating Central City Productions. When CCP began, the programming targeted African American programs. There was a huge demand for these types of programs from the media according to Jackson. “We couldn’t produce enough shows,” Jackson notes while discussing the challenges he faced. CCP was limited to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. specials, March on Washington specials, and music specials. The obstacles haven’t subsided either. Jackson says that today there is more of a profit motive by networks and as a result CCP is being charged for time-slots which is not good for independent shows.
“We as a community have to write letters to the stations and the Federal Communications Commission,” Jackson suggests when providing resolutions on how to get the demands of the community recognized by local stations.
Don Jackson has forged ahead with CCP and has amassed a wide range of productions including the Stellar Gospel Music Awards; Know Your Heritage, (a high school quiz show), and the Black College Quiz, (airs during Black History Month and features students from HBCUs). CCP also produced the 16th Annual Trumpet Awards for the first time in 2008. This awards show is dedicated to recognizing special achievements in the African American community. This year was exceptional for CCP; it oversaw two productions back to back in different locations- The Stellar Awards was produced in Nashville, TN on a Saturday, while the Trumpet Awards was produced in Atlanta, GA the following Sunday. Jackson notes that the experience was unique, but he and his team were able to successfully produce both and please everyone involved.
The Bud Biliken Back to School Parade, now in its 29th year of production under CCP, is the only Black parade on television. This parade goes through one of the Black communities of Chicago and is considerably the largest African American parade. “It’s a parade the showcases African American youth in all the richness and glamour of marching bands, pom poms and cheerleaders. It’s a positive message for encouraging our youth to go back to school. The community receives it because they see our youngsters in a different light along with the pageantry of celebrating education and going back to school.” Jackson says. The Bud Biliken is largest rated parade in the city of Chicago and the African American community.
The parade is going into its 79thyear and was one of the very first Central City Productions. It was one of the only parades of its magnitude that wasn’t being aired on television. Jackson approached a broadcast station to inquire about the parades lack of television visibility. He was told the parade wasn’t aired because it didn’t take place in downtown Chicago where there was more control. Jackson stepped in and the rest is history, CCP now produces the parade for television and the location of the parade has not changed.
Don Jackson’s platform deals with minority images in the media. He is very concerned with African Americans being able to tell their own stories. This includes having Blacks in the positions of power at the networks. “This industry needs to become less color blind and open its doors to more African Americans on all levels,” Jackson states.
He adds that the media doesn’t have enough representation in areas of power so we aren’t able to make the decisions on the airing “our” shows. There are so many individuals who can make a difference. Colleges and universities are producing more and more graduates every year who aim to work within the communications industry.
Jackson advices those who aspire to be apart of the communication industry that it’s important to get into the industry in whatever way that you can and work your way up from there. He enjoys the pleasure of having young professionals work with Central City Productions and “cut their teeth” so that they can move onto other networks. It pleases him to see these professionals advance in the industry knowing that they got their start with CCP.
Jackson hasn’t forgotten his struggle or his foundation; he gives back to his community with his involvement in several organizations. He is affiliated with the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Chicago Transit Authority, the Gateway Foundation and much more.
Pioneers like Don Jackson usually pave the way for so many people yet they never really see their own success in life and their impact on others. “I’d like for my legacy to be that I’ve created a channel for African Americans to get into this industry and have an ability to create.”
Jackson is unique in that he is not only leaving a legacy for African Americans, but he is currently living it.
