Darlene Jackson is a single mother - a woman of action who has dedicated 20 years to a career of fighting for the most marginalized. It was through Darlene's lived experience with poverty and foster care that she found her own voice to navigate red tape bureaucracies and empower others to do the same. Over the years, Darlene has helped organize movements to secure several historic laws on issues such as criminal justice reform, affordable housing, accessible transportation, early voting, as well as securing local community investments at city hall and in Albany.

Although she had always been an advocate for others, Darlene knew that in order to take her career and passion to help her community to the next level, she would need to get her college degree. She took a leave of absence from her job to pursue a degree in social work. It was an introduction to U.S politics course that changed her understanding of how local government impacts our daily lives.

After earning her Bachelor's in political science, Darlene wasted no time putting her newly gained knowledge of the intersectionality of city agencies, community-based organizations (CBO's), advocates and elected officials to work. She has helped organize citywide grassroots campaigns to amplify civic engagement and participatory budgeting. She has also worked in the nonprofit sector helping adolescents and families, undocumented people, those who identify as LGBTQI, and those within the complex systems of foster care, juvenile justice, and New York City schools.

Darlene not only has the education she gained from college but also the learning she received from well-respected advocates. She has completed a community organizing fellowship with the New York Civil Liberties Union and she participated in the Women Influencing Systems & History (WISH) advocacy training program with College and Community Fellowship. Armed with what she learned in those programs, Darlene has led a citywide campaign centering the voices, experiences, and needs of women impacted by mass incarceration. She has also educated the public about the recent NYC charter revision. She has done all this while maintaining her role as an active public member at her local community board.

Darlene continues to tirelessly organize and educate her community to promote civic engagement, testifies at public forums, attends rallies, meets with city council members and with legislators in Albany to better support her community. Thinking about her teenage son and eager to play her part in creating an equitable pathway for today’s young leaders and future generations to succeed, running for NYC Council is Darlene’s next mission. In doing so, Darlene pledges to serve and empower the residents of District 18 and illuminate the strength of the Bronx.