Julius D. Jackson Jr.

Featured Leader: Rev. Julius David Jackson Jr.

Born in Centreville, Mississippi he spent the first year of life in Monroe, Louisiana until his family relocated to Rochester, NY. He attended Rush-Henrietta Roth High School and is a recipient of the distinguished alumni award from the Rush Henrietta Alum Association. He holds degrees from both Monroe Community College and the Rochester Institute of Technology. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School where he also received the Peace, Justice and Service Distinguished Alumni Award. He is currently the Pastor of the United Church of Pittsford, Pittsford, NY. For his ministry work he received an award for Excellence in Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

He founded the Rev. J.D. Jackson, Sr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., is a former Chapter President and life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and a Past Master of Eureka Lodge #36. He has received several fraternal awards and is both a Graduate of the African American Leadership Development Program and recipient of an Award for Community Service, both recognitions of the United Way of Greater Rochester, NY.

His crowning achievements are the initiative to rename the Rochester Airport, and the illumination of the Monument of Frederick Douglass which resulted in the memorial plaza which now stands in Highland Park in Rochester, NY. He is the father of two sons, Julius David III (Trey) and, James Anderson Samuel (JAS).

Essayist: Rob Bell

ROB BELL has been a professional writer for the last 10 years, most recently serving as a community journalist, photographer, and editor for the Democrat and Chronicle, where he won state and national awards. He is also a writing professor at Nazareth University and co-curator of downtown Rochester's Behind The Glass photography gallery. Rob enjoys spending time with his family and documenting urban landscapes through street photography. 

Photographer: Narada John Riley (NRAD)

NARADA JOHN RILEY (NRAD) is a freelance photographer based in Rochester, NY. His work has been featured in exhibitions including Capture the Movement in Brooklyn, NY, and In Honor of Black Lives in the Bronx, NY. Locally, he was a featured artist in the Memorial Art Gallery’s Seasons of Warhol exhibition. Narada is also a Zillow Expert Technician and Buffalo Bills Personal Photographer. Narada lives by the principle “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready,” a mindset that fuels his creativity and consistency. When he’s not behind the camera, he’s building connections with other artists and curating projects that expand his creative impact.