We recently had the chance to connect with Georgette Jackson and have shared our conversation below.
Georgette, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Out of these three, I would say without a doubt, its integrity. You can be the most intelligent person, but it you are not someone that can be trusted, you lack honesty, and you are not a person of your word, then all of that intelligence isn’t worth a hill of beans as the older folks in my day used to say. We should all be people of integrity; someone people can count on to keep your word. When a person of integrity tells you something, you can take it to the bank! Another one of those sayings. Lol! Same thing goes for energy; you can walk into a room, and everyone can feel your energy, but if you’re not dressed in integrity, again who can trust anything you say or even do for that matter. So, for me…the most important thing to me is integrity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I wear several hats that include a nonprofit founder, podcast host, writer, author, poet, homeless advocate, but what I’m most proud of is being Nana to five young adult grandchildren and Gigi to three great grandchildren! I’m also the mother of two daughters and a son who have all gone on to their heavenly home. My nonprofit, Divine Rest, Inc is dedicated to providing resources to single homeless women without children. My podcast, Get A G.R.I.P. offers inspiration to those grieving the loss of a loved one. I have published five books one of which is a children’s book that I co-authored with my 23-year-old grandson Marcus to help children deal with grief. I’m Sad Too…And It’s Okay is dedicated to his mom and my daughter who we lost when he was just ten years old. The fifth book is an anthology. Right now, I’m working on relaunching my grief support group which will now be virtual. By the time this is published, we would have held our first session. I have a few more books in the works and so does my grandson Marcus. We both aspire to inspire!
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with Jesus Christ has shaped how I see myself. Before I came into a relationship with Jesus, I was a bit withdrawn, extremely shy and didn’t realize that I had anything to offer the world. I was satisfied with just coming and going doing mediocre things. But, when I gave my life to Christ, through the reading of His word, I learned that there was more to me than meets the eye. I learned that I had a purpose and along with that purpose came gifts that I could use to help make this world a better place and not just for myself, but my family, friends and everyone I came in contact with. Although I’m an introvert, I know that I am a strong, powerful and beloved woman of God who has been placed on this earth to be the hands and feet of Jesus! Because of my relationship with Jesus, I know that I can be and do anything that He assigns me to do, so whatever mission He sends me on, I go for it and trust Him to lead and guide me along the way!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was definitely a time when I almost gave up and that time was after the loss of my last surviving child, my oldest daughter Char. I had just lost my youngest daughter Dee in 2012 and then, there we were in 2015 having to lay Char to rest. I couldn’t believe that this had happened again. To be honest, I was so low that I didn’t even want to live anymore. Did I want to end my life? No, but what I did was beg God to let me go to sleep and never wake up again. The hurt and pain was so intense that I didn’t want to do anything; run my nonprofit, write any more books, attend church, go to work, nothing! But I knew that my girls would not want me to give up and not continue to do the things that God had called me to do. And I knew that God would one day take the pain away and allow me to be a blessing to others who would one day say goodbye to a loved one. I knew that there was a greater calling on my life and that I had more to do. And not only that, but I had to be an example to my grandchildren who had just lost their mothers. Yes, I almost…almost gave up. Thanks be to God, my faith and trust in God gave me the strength to keep pushing. And now with the same comfort and peace that God gave me, I can now help others receive that same comfort in knowing that God has not forsaken them. He is near and He will sustain them just as He continues to sustain me.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is the real me. I have never been one to pretend to be one way in public, but totally different behind closed doors and my family and close friends can attest to that. I believe in being genuine and honest about who you are wherever you are. Of course, you have to carry yourself in a professional manner depending on your environment, but I’m still me. I believe in being true to who you are. I’m not a big fan of people who pretend to be something or someone that they are not. Be who you are! I don’t try to be like anyone else. God created each of us uniquely and to mimic anyone else is a disgrace to our creator. So, what you see, is what you get everywhere! I am uniquely the real me!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most a peace when I’m doing the things I have been called to do, when I’m serving the people God has called me to. Another time that I am at peace is when I’m spending quality time in God’s word, listening to worship music or just being still in His presence. I also feel most at peace when I’m spending time with my family and friends.
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