What’s Hot! HarlemAmerica with G. Keith Alexander S3E15 – Debi B.

BIOGRAPHY

Deborah Bolling Jackson was born, raised and educated in New York City. For over 30 years she was known as Debi B. in the radio world where her voice was heard every Sunday on 107.5 WBLS co-hosting the Sunday Classics along-side her legendary husband, Hal Jackson. The Sunday Classics was rated #1 for well over ten straight years. The Sunday Classics had the largest listening audience in the history of Sunday radio and was heard from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, the longest live broadcast in the country. Debi has done many live broadcasts from different locations around the world including the England, Ghana and Egypt. She also co-hosted a broadcast from the US to Osaka, Japan. This was the first time in the history of Japanese and American radio that a broadcast was sent from the US with a simulcast in Japan. Debi B’s voice has been heard widely and was the 1st national radio voice for the Essence Music Festival.

One of Debi’s passions is photography, which led her to become the first to annually host a one-woman photographic show at the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building in NYC for 3 years in a row. Photos by Debi Jackson will transport you to Thailand, Italy and Cuba. Debi states that, “Every moment in life is a present. My photography captures life’s moments so they can exist for an eternity. I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel extensively and meet wonderful individuals.” All proceeds from the sale of Ms. Jackson’s photography are donated to the Youth Development Foundation, Inc. (YDF) of which she is the CEO and President.

For over 50 years the YDF has awarded a minimum of $2.5 Million in scholarships and prizes to young women from around the world through the Hal Jackson’s Talented Teens International (HJTTI) scholarship program. Ms. Jackson served as Producer of HJTTI, which showcased young talented women and gave them exposure to the music, film and entertainment industries. While in the capacity as producer, the show had guest appearances by top recording and entertainment personalities such as Janet Jackson, Johnny Gill, Boyz II Men, Kool and the Gang, New Edition and Alicia Keys. Some of the young women who have come through the ranks of HJTTI include the Honorable Reverend Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Taraji P. Henson and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Debi’s philanthropic work includes awarding scholarships to participants of Black Women For Black Girls of which she is an Executive Board Member. She strongly believes in voluntarism and has for over 35+ years given her time, treasures and talents to community and non-profit organizations such as Power 2 Inspire, Harlem Week, National Association of Black Female Executives In Music and Entertainment, Make The Grade, Black Women of Influence, Women In The Black, and Wheelchair Charities. In 2021 Debi was appointed Ambassador of the Caregivers Outreach Mentorship Empowerment, Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting family caregivers.

Her corporate experience encompassed the broad field of Human Resource Administration where she has worked as an Employment Supervisor, EEO Officer and Labor Relations Manager. She then went into higher education at Fairleigh Dickinson University, the largest private university in the state of New Jersey, as the University Assistant Director of Affirmative Action.

Debi Jackson’s motto is: “Smile at the world and the world will smile back at you.”

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Former wife of legendary WBLS personality, Hal Jackson, chats with G. Keith Alexander about the Biggest Soulful R&B Concert Fundraiser, in his honor, at the BergenPAC theater in Englewood NJ, Thurs Nov 9th 2023. Hosted by Debi B & Dr Bob Lee of WBLS. MC Dave of DMS. Featuring Howard Hewett, Ladies of Skyy, Meli’sa Morgan, Jeff Redd and Bells 2.0.