Leslie Jackson

     Our beloved Dr. Leslie Cecilia Jackson (affectionately, “Dr J”) passed away in November of 2021 in her home in Columbia, MD. She moved to Columbia after retiring to care for her mother. She was a phenomenal and dedicated scholar, clinician, teacher, and mentor who touched the lives of so many in immeasurable ways. In her final publication of her career, she wrote, “I would like to give special thanks to all the students that were open to learning about their own cultural experience, and helping their clients learn about their cultural experiences through empathy.” Her steadfast support of her students and mentees was key in the development of their professional identities, for which they will be eternally grateful.

     Dr. J received her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from California State University, and completed her doctorate at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in 1981. She completed clinical training at University of California Irvine and Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles. Dr. J held numerous teaching and supervising positions at colleges in the Los Angeles area, including lecturer and Associate Professor positions, coordinator of the Multicultural/Community Program at CSPP, and co-director of the Minority Access to Professional Psychology Program which was funded by the Health Resources Services Administration. From 1999 until her retirement in 2011, Dr. J was a Clinical Professor at Georgia State University, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in multiculturalism in psychology, clinical supervision, and complex trauma.

     Dr. J authored and co-authored numerous publications focusing on multicultural training and competence, mentorship of African American women, sociocultural aspects of childhood sexual abuse, the Strong Black Woman, and family and community systems. She authored book reviews in multicultural education and self psychology, and was a consulting editor or reviewer for several journals. Dr. J and colleagues received funding from the American Psychological Association, the US Department of Justice, the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and the Centers for Disease Control. In addition, she presented at and consulted for many programs and agencies in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dayton. Her work was recognized by awards from several organizations including the Society for Teaching of Psychology, Association for Women in Psychology, California Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and many others.

     But, Dr. J was so much more than her professional accomplishments. She was a deeply caring friend with a refreshing ability to “keep it real.” I remember her talking about working in an inpatient psychiatric unit and making a point to take a walk with the patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia, “just to have a conversation and remind them that they are human, because no one else would.” She opened her home to students for meals, great conversation, and most of all, laughter. She made the best grilled peaches I have ever eaten. She was passionate about her garden and, as I recall fondly, her cats. To say that Dr. J will be missed is a vast understatement. May her lovely soul Rest In Power.

Sharlet Anderson, PhD