Portland State University Alum Follows King’s Path through Public Service

By Jake Thomas, The Portland Observer

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Fraternities are often associated with chauvinistic, alcohol-fueled would-be alpha males.  But try telling that to Antonio Jackson, who embodies another side of such organizations: public service.

As tributes are paid to Martin Luther King Jr. in honor of the Jan. 20 National Holiday, Jackson is a living example of King's inclusive approach and efforts to build bridges that make stronger communities. Although no longer a student, Jackson is still active in the alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi doing community service throughout the community.

But this is far from the only community-oriented work he does.

Jackson is tireless. Between work, family, and community service he ends up working 10 hour days mentoring teenagers, sparking an interest science and technology among school children, and getting African-American men to take better care of their health, among others.

"The most important thing is giving back to the community and setting that positive example," said Jackson.

Jackson clearly wants to strengthen communities, and one central way he's doing it is by encouraging future generations to step up and take a stake in it. On a recent Saturday, Jackson wasn't lounging about at home, but at a church in northeast Portland hunched over a laptop at a table surrounded by children. He explained an engineering lesson to the kids while goading one to sit up.

One of Kappa Alpha Psi's proudest projects is Lego Robotics. The program gets minority children interested in science and technology at an early age. Kids compete against other schools to build robots out of Legos and program them to perform tasks. "It's going to be something very special," said Jackson, who notes that similar programs tend to be aimed at more affluent children.

Another project Jackson is particularly proud of is the work mentoring young African-American men in the Perspective Gents Club. He and other members of the fraternity take time to meet with young people and discuss the issues they are facing and try to steer them on the right path.

"To see them as a senior going to college, and seeing that it's a reality -- that they can make it -- that drives me," said Jackson.

"He's motivating others to get us to do things we'd like to do," said Sean Murray, a Kappa alum and human resources manager for Portland Police, who has worked with Jackson on a number of initiatives. Murray said that he's been particularly impressed with Jackson's work mentoring young men, having made the extra effort to drop off and pick up a teenager with problems at home.

Jackson is also involved in health issues. He helped create a monthly men's health forum, where African-American men can meet to discuss health issues like eating right, cancer, and can get their blood pressure checked.

Jackson is affable and dapper. The baby-faced 28-year-old wears a neat and thin goatee. He was born and raised in Portland to Filipina mother and African-American father. Jackson attended David Douglas High School and went on attend Portland State University where he majored in business and played football and basketball. He was drawn to the predominantly African-American fraternity because of its emphasis on public service and the expectation that he would continue to serve after college.

"I wanted to be a part of an organization that was about doing positive things in the community," said Jackson.

On a typical day, he rises at 6 a.m. and rouses his 5 and 6 year old children to have a breakfast and talk about school. He then goes to work at the Banfield Pet Hospital. After work he attends to his various projects, getting home at about 8 or 9. But often times, Jackson tries to bring his kids to community service activities, just as his parents did with him. Jackson explained that because he grew up in a multicultural household he is able to immerse himself in a variety of human environments and can build partnerships.

After graduating he became increasingly involved in the local alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, and was recently elected to the position of polemarch, the equivalent of president. After taking over he's tried to reenergize the organization, which has drawn the praise of previously inactive members.

Ernest Hartzog joined the same fraternity in 1953, but had been inactive in the alumni chapter until Jackson came long.   The 80-year-old retired school administrator said he was impressed by Jackson's infectious drive, and reinvolved himself in the fraternity.