Patricia "Pat" Jackson - On school integration and the significance of churches

Patricia “Pat” Jackson is the daughter-in-law of Mrs. Marian Cheek Jackson, the namesake of the Jackson Center. She brings with her to her interview several clippings from various newspapers, some of which include the first articles her daughter wrote in her journalism career or articles about Chapel Hill’s Black owned business center. These newspaper clippings hold significance in Mrs. Jackson’s personal history as well as the broad history of Chapel Hill. Mrs. Jackson recounts the desegregation of the local high schools; she recalls a sense of pride and determination as one of the first generations of Black students to attend formerly all-white Chapel Hill High School. She also discusses the significance of church in the community, and the Harrison family whose approach to church allowed for the expansion of fellowship. Ms. Jackson herself was raised by the community’s various churches, attending youth programming such as Vacation Bible School, and reflects now upon the importance of youth in the church community in order to keep faith alive.