Dr. Bev-Freda Jackson

Dr. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English with a minor in African American studies from Gettysburg College. A master’s in political science from American University’s School of Public Affairs: Department of Government and doctorate in Political Science from Howard University’s Department of Political Science with concentrations in Black Politics, American Government and Public Administration.

Dr. Jackson’s research and publication portfolio includes contribution to the publication Putting the
Movement Back into Civil Rights Teaching: A Resource Guide for Classrooms and
Communities, as well as work at the Brookings Institution on racial health disparities in
communities of color in Baltimore City, Maryland. Dr Jackson’s scholarship and publications include an examination of racial disparities, segregation in the public education system and outcomes for children of color, disproportionality and disparate treatment of persons of color across systems.

Additional areas of expertise include the school to prison pipeline, criminal justice reform, and an examination of the equal protection and due process clauses of the 14^th amendment. She has served on numerous panels, as well as keynote speaking engagements, as well as authoring publications on social justice, and state and local politics, to include “What is Intolerance Fatigue,” “Ketanji Brown Jackson and the color-blind society of Martin Luther King Jr.,” “Black female prosecutors like Fani Willis face the unequal burden of both racist and sexist attacks,” and “Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson made a suggestion during the 1963 March on Washington − and it changed a good speech to a majestic sermon on an American dream” and “ How Joe Biden Did so Well in Georgia, and  a book chapter in Intellectual Freedom, Academic Freedom, and Social Justice. Dr. Jackson is also a contributing author to American University’s Women and Politics Institute’s Gender on the Ballot authoring, “The November 2024 Election: A Snapshot of Down Ballot Impact” and “Black Women and the Changing Legal Landscape.”

Dr. Jackson has partnered with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and the NAACP Young Adult Committee in addressing issues of social justice, voting and education reform, as well as holding political appointments within the Commonwealth of Virginia on the Board of Counseling for six years, 2016-2022 and a City Council appointment to Human Services Advisory Board for the City of Chesapeake, Virginia for six years, 2016-2022.