ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONAL RESOLUTION
25-291
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
November 26, 2024
To recognize and honor the courage, heroism and dedication of Mr. Joseph ‘Joe’ Jackson.
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson was born on November 21, 1974, in Capitol Heights,
Maryland;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson is a dedicated community leader, artist, and youth advocate in
with a deep commitment to Ward 8, where he has lived and worked since 2009;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson was raised by an adoptive family due to his mother’s struggles
with addiction and faced many challenges early in life but found hope in the performing arts as a
talented student;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson was drawn into a criminal lifestyle and, at age 20, sentenced to
30 years in Maryland’s prison system;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson, while incarcerated, earned his General Educational
Development Certificate (GED) achieving the highest test score on the high school equivalency
exam in the state of Maryland;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson also earned a degree in paralegal studies while incarcerated
and through determination, successfully filed his appeal and won his release from prison in
2009;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson founded GoGo Ventures, the only GoGo music distribution
company run by a community member in DC, and created GoGo 101, a program teaching the
essentials of GoGo music and his popular band, Urban Rhythm Band (URB), features members
from Ward 8;
WHEREAS Mr. Jackson created a radio program dedicated to the ‘Godfather of GoGo’
Chuck Brown which is broadcast on Ward 8’s own WE ACT Radio;
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 ENROLLED ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson has worked tirelessly to organizing “Stop the Violence" events,
youth giveaways, and other initiatives to inspire the youth in Ward 8;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson in addition to his passion for GoGo music and efforts to inspire
youth, has collaborated with several agencies in the District of Columbia including the
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, the Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and
Entertainment and DC Public Library’s MLK Library;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson has run a farmers’ market and is a partner in Jumping Jacks
Party Rentals, a business he co-owns with his partner of 16 years, Jacqueline Elliott;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson and Ms. Elliott share 6 daughters- Keyasha, Jasmine, Raven,
Joey, Journee, and Jakhi- and are devoted to creating structured opportunities for their children;
WHEREAS, on Wednesday March 27, 2019, Mr. Jackson was picking up his children
from school in Southeast DC when he witnessed an elderly woman lose control of her vehicle;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson acted immediately with assistance of another bystander to
rescue the injured woman from her vehicle just before it exploded and burst into flames;
WHEREAS, Mr. Jackson is a seasoned performer and business owner with 35 years of
experience unwaveringly dedicated to uplifting his community and empowering the next
generation.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution be cited as the “Joseph ‘Joe’ Jackson Recognition Resolution of 2024”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Joe Jackson for
his courage, bravery, contributions to the District of Columbia’s official music and dedication to
Ward 8.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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