We’re so excited to welcome Antonesha Jackson as our new Director of Development and Communications!

Antonesha has a great combination of skills, experience, and passion for our community. We look forward to everything her new perspective and ideas will bring. Get to know her a little through some Q&As: 

You have a background as a STEM educator. What do you see as the intersection between arts education and STEM education? 
STEM is a vital part of the current world we live in, and much of STEM is about being creative which directly relates to art education. Engineering is a technical aspect of many art mediums, as not only physical but virtual materials are used. I never thought of myself as a creative until I learned how to code and create my own applications based on my own ideas. 
 
Another part of your background is that you attended Howard University. What was the value of this experience?
Going to an HBCU was a pivotal part of my educational journey. Experiencing education in a system ran by African Americans and focused on our success was new for me since I was coming from a majority-white system here in the Pacific Northwest. Howard University is the mecca of HBCUs, founded in1867 in the heart of D.C., which is formally known as chocolate city because of its large black population. Being so close to the Whitehouse, I was able to see and hear first-hand the contributions my community has made in the United States. The value is unmeasurable. As an alum, it’s my goal to continuously uplift not only Howard but all HBCUs to the world.

With so much varied experience, what made you decide to go into Development?
Being an educator, it was frustrating dealing with administration, and lack of funding and parental support. Having worked with non-profits, I saw what changes can be made when you have supporters on the ground. I transitioned into event-planning in order to increase funds and community connections and then into development to grow funder bases and programs.
 
What is something you are excited for in your new role as Director of Development and Communications at Arts Corps? 
I’m so excited to work with Arts Corps as a Director of Development and Communications. I think my unique work and travel experiences has blessed me to see and experience a variety of art and I would like to share that with the world and our students. Seattle has such a variety of art, people, and cultures that are not always highlighted. It is my goal to open our students to mediums they may have never tried and make them lifetime learners and creators. 
 
You’re a Seattleite, born and raised. What are some of your favorite art spots in the city? 
This city has gone through so many changes during my lifetime, it’s really cool to hear about the history of Seattle through the eyes of my parents and grandparents. As a third-generation Seattleite, I got to see my community once redlined and forced to live in certain areas then be gentrified and forced to move out. My favorite parts of Seattle are mostly located in the central area because that’s where my family is from. I love walking up and down Jackson, down Jazz alley to Chinatown, siting by Lake Washington, or eating at my favorite spots on Union.

Antonesha Jackson is a third generation Seattle native. A proud graduate from Howard University Computer Information Systems with an MBA from American University. Formally the interim Director of Development at United Negro College Fund Pacific NW, she is now the current Development and Communications Director at Arts Corps. Inspired to pursue a career in STEM Education and nonprofit business analytics after college and living in Los Angeles, she is also a small business owner and lover of travel.