It was with great honor that the Willie Hutch Jones Educational and Sports Program selected Joe Jackson Jr. to be its recipient of the Black Achiever in Industry Award for 2015.

Joseph (Joe) Jackson Jr. is a (Native) of Buffalo, New York. He is the son of the late Joseph and Vera Jackson Sr. Joe received his early childhood and elementary education in the Buffalo Public School system and a proud graduate of the black and gold (Panthers) East High. After Graduating high school he attended Wilberforce University in Ohio. He then enlisted in the United States Army. Upon completion of his term with the armed forces, he returned back to Buffalo attending Bryant & Stratton Business institute receiving his degree in Business. He then decided to continue his education by attending Buffalo State College earning a degree in Criminal Justice. Joe played Basketball at Buffalo State receiving the nick name “FLASH.” He currently holds the record in individual season highs for the most steals (85) in a season from 1975-76. He loves the Game of basketball and has played in numerous inner-city leagues.

One of his favorite leagues was the Randy Smith at MLK Park. He has had the opportunity to play in three World Master Game Olympics bringing home several gold and bronze medals. Aside from basketball, Joe has dedicated his time volunteering as a coach and mentor for the Burgard High School basketball team and to the Willie Hutch Jones Educational & Sports Programs where he coaches and is a member of the Advisory Board. Joe has a strong passion for volunteering; he feels that he needs to give back to the community to help our struggling youth. He has also worked in the entertainment industry for James Ambrose Johnson Jr. Known to most as “Rick James”.

He has been employed for the past 26 years with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Joe enjoys reading his Bible daily (left to him from his Mom) basketball of course, reading the daily newspaper and a tall glass of ice to go with whatever he’s drinking. He enjoys spending time and traveling with his fiancée Debra, their children Lakaisha and Wayne, but most of all the apple of “papas” eye, his granddaughter Daisha. He is the care-taker of his brother Anthony; he has two sisters Deleria and Audrey and a late brother Harry Jackson.

Joe attributes his professional and personal achievements to his mom. She has instilled the importance of faith, family, hard-work and community. ”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead)