Hill Hero: A Woman of Substance, Selma Jackson

by Kathryn Zarczynski

OVER THE YEARS Selma Jackson has worn many hats: an officer at Chemical bank in Community Affairs, founder of 4W-Circle of Art and Enterprise, a business incubator, recent winner of a Charles Revson Fellowship to Columbia University last fall, and most recently a volunteer member of the SDOP (Self Development of People), a grant-giving arm of the Presbyterian USA National Church.

In the winter of 2007 when she closed the 4W business, Selma said, "what's next?" If not work, what area over the course of her active and full life called out to her to continue her efforts? Her continuing major social concerns are women's issues, economic parity and health.

In 1977, working for the Community Affairs department of the bank she worked in Bed Sty, Ft Greene, and Bushwick right after the blackout that devastated the city. She scouted the streets looking for business to assist during the crisis. What could recreate the gratification of that first job?

In 2007, Selma heard about the Self Development of People Committee. This national organization provides funding and technical assistance to community groups across the US. Through a grant application process, organizations or non-profits can receive one-time grants up to twenty thousand dollars. Selma is now on a committee that reviews, interviews and provides community grants to a wide range of organizations. Three or four times a year the national group meets to decide on project funding, and programs range widely: youth programs that involve mentoring and internships for high school/college prep programs, legal aid for Philippino domestic workers, help with licenses, fees, and processing for street vendors in the Bronx.

Over a million dollars a year are dispensed by SDOP. Monies for the program are raised at a Lenten Presbyterian fundraising effort "One Great Hour of Sharing". Funds go to three areas: Self Development of People, hunger and famine relief, and disaster relief. The process can take up to six months to vet the candidates, who are local and national.

Selma finds the work satisfying. It keeps her vision for social witness, and allows her to see what's in the communities beyond Brooklyn. In addition to this work, Selma is active in business development in Rwanda.

Back in 1990 through a local church, Selma spent time in Sierra Leone and Ghana teaching English to women and helping them develop small businesses. The women needed only to be eager to earn a living from doing things such as fruit stands, making fish cakes, textiles, or selling sundries. Evening classes were offered for free in local churches.

In 2006, a former Chemical Bank co-worker helped develop a video for women in business that was translated for the Rwandan and Afghani markets, again to help women develop business skills specifically in war-torn economies. She was in the video and became interested in the mission. This Business Council for Peace (bpeace.org) is international in scope. They help cottage industries find markets and mentors, create models for finance, marketing, customer service, and hold hands-on workshops. It is a three-year program whose participants graduate in 2009. Businesses include funeral parlors, dairies, florists, hair salons, and some new businesses are already spawning offshoots like cosmetology schools and beauticians. They are working to address high levels of unemployment in Rwanda too.

While in Rwanda, Selma found a partner who sells coffee and this is offered through Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian church after weekly services. All proceeds roll back to the growers.

Selma's model of community extends far beyond our Fort Greene and Clinton Hill borders to those of the larger world. Her model for giving back is a bright light for all of us in the midst of global and economic chaos. She is always serene, positive, upbeat, respectful, and open to the next new way to give back to her community.

--Kathryn Zarczynski lives in Clinton Hill Coops and sits on the board of The Hill.