Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kim Jackson-Matthews. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kim, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I developed the strong confidence and self-esteem I have today from both my parents, the late strong Harold M. Jackson, and the late dynamic dance teacher and choreographer, Bernice V. Jackson. My mom was my first dance teacher (ballet, tap, jazz). She taught me to hold my head high, have poise, and if I made a mistake just keep going. As long as I could remember my father embodied both these attributes of confidence and great self-esteem. His last position was as VP of the Metropolitan Y.M.C.A.’s of Los Angeles. See, my family moved from Jacksonville, Florida in the early 70’s, to Los Angeles about five years after the civil unrest of The Watts Riots. Dad received his first promotion to become the Program Manager of then, South Central YMCA. I watched him work hard and dress in very debonair suits for board meetings, prepare his proposals to advocate to send underserved and underprivileged youth from urban and rural areas to “Y” camp. He taught my brothers and I to stick together, be proud of who we were as African American’s, and remember where we came from. A special memory of this was when he and my mother brought us together in the living room to take a picture holding up our fists to make the “Black Power” symbol. This symbol was for advocacy and standing up for what we believe in, like black pride. I was thirteen but recall the smile on my then three-year-old brother Kyle’s face. It was then that I felt a sense of confidence. I was a quiet young teen but by no means shy as people might have wanted to label me but unbeknownst to them, I was taking everything in. I loved learning, and reading books became my favorite thing to do as well as reading the newspaper for current events so I could discuss them with my dad and family at the dinner table. YES, I moved quietly with a purpose until it was time for me to speak intelligently. High school was a test socially. I learned how to navigate being a little fish in a big pond and overcame being so quiet. I made friends, played on the girls Varsity Tennis team as a freshman and joined several academic clubs. I loved tennis and had been taking lessons and playing with my older brother for three years prior to high school. My confidence and self-esteem grew as people started to notice me on and off the court. During my sophomore year my brother and I advocated for me to play tennis on the boys Tennis team because there weren’t enough girls to fill a team. With the help of the coach, it was approved by the CIF, and I was one of the first girls to be on the team and to letter. The team later became co-ed. I remained strong under physical and mental challenges against boys from our team and rival opponents who thought and said, “she’s a girl she’s no good.” I showed them my strengths as a player and made them eat their words, lol! Little did they know I had developed strength better than most girls my age because I practiced with my brother who was the number one Varsity player. I graduated with honors. I attended UC San Diego, the same college my brother was admitted to two years before. I made the women’s collegiate tennis team as a “walk-on.” During the years to follow I was very active as secretary of the Black Student Union, a reporter for The People’s Voice a campus publication, member of the gospel choir, and a Resident Advisor (RA). Many experiences there continued to increase my confidence. Upon graduating I was asked to speak at the Black Students graduation ceremony. I graduated with honors with a degree in Communications and aspired to be an anchor woman. A few months later I became a CBS Page. The rest is history. I held a few jobs with CBS Television, Inc. and CBS Radio divisions. I worked diligently for 25 years with CBS, Radio, but a total of 30 years with CBS TV. My last job in radio was at KCBS-FM 93.1 Jackfm as the Traffic Director in the Traffic Department with commercials and sales. My gifts and talents would soon take me in another direction. That would be to help advocate for those less fortunate. I continue to be grateful for my parents for instilling positive morals and values that contribute to my confidence and self-esteem to help me navigate in this world.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I was initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Los Angeles Alumnae Chapter in 2018. In 2019, I joined a non-profit organization founded by LaTanya Sherman called, Project Educate based in Los Angeles and serving the homeless community. I am the Fitness and Wellness Advisor of the team and helped create our signature program called FED (Fitness Education Diet). Throughout the years we have increased our donors and sponsors for special Annual Events – The Black History Heart Health Month Resource Event (Feb) and The Health and Wellness Resources Fair (Sep). There are five initiatives that were created: FED (Fitness Education Diet), TAG (Toiletries and Grooming), HOPE (Helping Others Pursue Education), SWAP (Social Wellness Action Plan), and BLOOM (Bringing Love Opportunities Optimism to Moms). Volunteering my time and knowledge of fitness and more comes easy because I have a passion for helping those who can’t help themselves. The organizations’ goal is to “eradicate homelessness.” I continue to work with them today. It’s my mission to help with that and put a smile on children and adults we meet along the way. www.4Projecteducate.org. FED@4Projecteducate.org.
In February of 2021 I received some devasting news and was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition called, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), during the height of COVID 19. Delayed treatment and misdiagnosis left me with central vision loss in one eye, transverse myelitis, and chronic nerve pain in my back due to lesions on my spine. I am a second-degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and was very active at the Lima Taekwondo Academy in Culver City and Harbor City areas at the time. The doctors said I shouldn’t participate anymore because of balance issues and not wanting me to injure my spine any further than the disease has. I continue today to strengthen myself doing workouts at home and continue to work on my Taekwondo forms.
While researching information about it when I was in the hospital I came across The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation. The organization founded by Victoria Jackson, and Bill Guthy after their daughter was diagnosed. They have personally given so much of their own money towards finding a cure. My reason for working and volunteering is because the foundation is “dedicated to funding basic and clinical research needed to treat and cure Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.” I was blessed to join the PAC (Patient Advocacy Council) five months out of the hospital. I learned about advocating for my health, read many articles, and attended my first International Patient Day they host annually. The next year I became the Patient Advocacy Coordinator. I assist our Patient Advocacy directors, speak at our regional patient day conferences, facilitate the Women’s Support Group, answer helpline calls. I’ve had the privilege to go to Washington, DC to sit on a roundtable to advocate for rare disease. I was also chosen to partner with AMGEN to be a part of an initiative campaign called, “NMOSD Won’t Stop Me” to tell my patient story. There is a caregiver section in which my husband Frank is highlighted as well. I added to my job at Guthy-Jackson and now am the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Liaison. I saw a need to not only assist patients like me but wanted to further one of the foundations missions to help educate and provide resources to patients. I’ve seen times in which patients need help advocating for themselves, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities where healthcare resources are limited.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three most important qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are: education, perseverance, and resilience. Being educated does not necessarily mean you have to go to college or have a higher degree however, it can open many doors for you and arm you with the tools to empower yourself. Don’t be afraid to learn new skills or improve on the one’s you have. Most importantly don’t give up when challenges face you.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one challenge I’m facing is physical problems that came after my diagnosis. I was healthy and by the way a certified personal fitness trainer too. To overcome I don’t look back at my old self but have learned to move forward with how I am now and living my best life day by day. I am working on a fitness business that caters to people with rare disease. Prior to Covid19 and my diagnosis I had a proposal for a business that has changed direction.
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