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Victoria Jackson is state policy fellow with Policy Matters Ohio. Jackson is one of eight fellows selected nationally through a highly competitive process by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Her research focuses on K-12 education, higher education, and food assistance policy.

Jackson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Pan-African Studies from 5X���� in 2012. Her educational and personal experiences as a student in the Department of Pan-African Studies have shaped her orientation to policy research. Jackson holds a master’s of public administration from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Policy Matters, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer with College Now Greater Cleveland, advising high school students at two Cleveland Metropolitan School District high schools on college access. While in graduate school, Jackson worked as a graduate assistant for the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, and for the Ohio Department of Education.

"The Department of Pan-African Studies provided me with the foundation for understanding how historical and contemporary systems of oppression harm and deny Black people opportunity. That perspective combined with the writing and analysis skills I learned shape how I move through the world and my work as a policy analyst. Equally important are the relationships I built with peers and faculty who taught me a lot and encouraged and supported me personally and professionally. My DPAS family has directly helped me with getting a position with AmeriCorps, a full-ride fellowship for graduate school, internships in graduate school, and my current fellowship position with a national policy research organization."

DaMareo is the executive director of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a statewide organization dedicated to improving the lives of everyday Ohioans. He has played an integral role in shaping and developing the OOC’s electoral and community organizing campaigns across the state since 2008. His passion for organizing grew out of the love for the community in which he was raised, and currently lives (Akron, Ohio). DaMareo has spent his career working with leaders in communities of color, and developing campaigns to address issues of race and economic inequality in grassroots communities. Over the last decade, he has worked on statewide and local electoral campaigns by training hundreds of low-income grassroots activists. In an effort to integrate community organizing and civic engagement models, he conducted training in traditional organizing, movement building, and running effective civic engagement programs to create a larger community impact.

“The Department of Pan-African Studies gave me the knowledge, tools, and confidence I needed in order to understand systemic inequality and its impact on my community. Knowing my history was crucial for me to have the mental fortitude and confidence in my own ability to build alliances, lead and advocate for social change.”

Equity & Inclusion Change Consultant experienced in working with Nonprofit & Corporate Leaders, K-12 Educators and Administrators, and Higher Education Faculty and Staff. Skilled in the art of facilitation and the creation of customized diversity trainings complete with evaluation components. A proven change agent who possesses both practical experience and a firm pedagogical foundation on topics related to cultural change, equity, and inclusion.

“My academic experience at Kent State has been largely shaped and impacted by the Department of Pan-African Studies. All of the classes I’ve taken in that department have greatly influenced and developed my perception of the world, of African Cultures and of myself."

"Choosing to obtain a bachelor's degree in Pan-African Studies from 5X���� is one of the best academic and professional decisions I have ever made. Pan-African Studies equipped me with the knowledge and tools necessary for my personal and professional development by challenging me to think critically about the historical and contemporary "systems" and "institutions" that continue to shape our world. Through Pan-African Studies not only did I develop a deeper sense of self and cultural pride, but I also studied the various strategies and frameworks for community engagement and development. Since graduating, I have continued to utilize those skills in my graduate study as well as in my career.

Like all recent graduates, solidifying gainful and meaningful employment was among the difficulties faced after completing my degree; however, my difficulties were mitigated by the strong mentorship and support I received from faculty in the Department of Pan-African Studies who constantly encouraged me to cultivate my professional skills throughout undergrad. They encouraged and supported me as I engaged in internships and opportunities that allowed me to utilize the knowledge and skills accumulated in the classroom. There are a plethora of organizations and institutes doing very important work around issues related to the things I learned in Pan-African studies and the faculty in the department helped to connect me to those opportunities. Furthermore, I received amazing recommendations that enabled me to obtain a full-ride fellowship to graduate school. Needless to say, I owe much of my success to my wonderful experience in the Department of Pan-African Studies at 5X����."