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Students attending Jackson Public Schools deserve an equitable education that ensures their success in school and in life. By working together with the community, engaging subject matter experts and leveraging partners and funders, we can create a better tomorrow for our students, staff and community.

This independent group is charged with engaging the community and conducting a study of the educational ecosystem to ensure children's success.

Commission Members

Ivye L. Allen
President, Foundation for the Mid South
Claiborne Barksdale
CEO, Barksdale Reading Institute
Robert Blaine
CAO, City of Jackson
Dr. Geraldine Chaney
Pediatrician
Cheryl Coleman
JPS Employee (with two children in JPS)
Ronnie Crudup Sr.
Senior Pastor, New Horizon Church International
Dr. Kathleen Grigsby
Principal, Davis Magnet Elementary School
Dr. Shauna Nicholson-Johnson
Principal, Baker Elementary School
Yumeka Burt Rushing
Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Dr. Laurie Smith
Education and Workforce Development Policy Advisor, Office of Governor Phil Bryant
Ed Sivak
Executive Vice President, Hope Enterprise Corporation
Leland Speed
Developer and Former MDA Executive Director
Laketia Marshall-Thomas
Area 2 Assistant Superintendent, JPS
Charles McClelland
Board Member, Mississippi Board of Education
Paheadra Bratton Robinson
Partner Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau (with three children in JPS)