Alumna Staci Collins Jackson to keynote Homecoming Convocation

FAMU alumna Staci R. Collins Jackson, president and CEO of The Collins Jackson Agency, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2013 Homecoming Convocation on Friday, October 18 at 10:10 a.m. in Gaither Gymnasium.

“We are excited to welcome back one of FAMU’s bright, young alums to share her success story of how she ascended from FAMU graduate to the youngest vice president at Ebony and Jet magazines, to publicist for Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Studios, and now spearheading her own PR firm,” said Sharon Saunders, executive assistant to the president for communications. “Staci has consistently excelled in entertainment and public relations through hard work and perseverance. We look forward to hearing her pearls of wisdom which will inspire students and the community alike.”

Prior to running her own firm, Jackson served as director of communications for Harpo Studios, Inc., where she developed and executed public relations strategy and provided communication counsel as a spokesperson for the company; Oprah Winfrey, and its business units and productions including: Oprah’s Next Chapter; Oprah’s Lifeclass; Oprah’s Master Class; Iyanla, Fix My Life; Harpo Films; O, The Oprah Magazine and The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, to name a few.

Prior to joining Harpo Studios, she was the unit publicist for the acclaimed film, Think Like A Man, based on Steve Harvey’s best-selling book. The movie grossed more than $94 million. She also directed publicity campaigns for films including Just Wright, starring Queen Latifah & Common (Fox Searchlight) and Stomp The Yard: Homecoming, starring Tika Sumpter and Collins Pennie (Sony/Stage 6/Rainforest Films).  She also worked on television series’ such as TNT’s HawthoRNe starring Jada Pinkett Smith and NBC’s UnderCovers starring Boris Kodjoe, The Event starring Blair Underwood and Law & Order: Los Angeles, starring Terrance Howard and Regina Hall.  Jackson has represented executives, including Hollywood casting director Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd (Sparkle, Jumping The Broom, Notorious).

Until 2009, Jackson was a vice president for Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., the world's largest African-American owned-and-operated publishing company with established businesses in publishing, cosmetics, television production and fashion. As the youngest vice president of the legendary company and during her 12 year tenure, she led the direction of the company’s Public Relations/Corporate Communications department that heads all communications and public relations efforts for Ebony magazine, the no. 1 African-American general interest magazine in the world; Jet magazine, the no. 1 African-American newsmagazine in the world; Ebony Fashion Fair, the world’s largest traveling fashion show; and Fashion Fair Cosmetics, the no. 1 cosmetic company for women of color.

Through her PR firm, Jackson’s clients include Hollywood producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Takers, Stomp The Yard) and the highly anticipated film, Think Like a Man Too, slated to debut on June 20, 2014.

Jackson received her bachelor’s degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations from FAMU’s School of Journalism, Media & Graphic Arts (1996).  During her time at FAMU she held several campus queen titles, was an advisor to Miss FAMU and Court, was secretary of state of the Student Government Association and held leadership roles in numerous organizations on campus including the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

She also received a Master of Arts Management degree in arts, entertainment and media management from Columbia College (2006) and has also completed executive education programs at the University of California in Los Angeles’ (UCLA) Anderson School of Management (2008), Harvard Business School (2009) and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (2010).

Jackson was honored as one of FAMU’s top 40 alumni under 40 at its Young Alumni Awards ceremony in 2010.