Dr. David and Jackie Jacobs
In 1975, before the King Coalition was officially organized, a core group of 10 individuals, including Drs. David and Jackie Jacobs were intricately involved in the work leading to making Dr. King’s birthday a national holiday.
Drs. David and Jackie Jacobs are college sweethearts who met each other as juniors while attending Alabama State University located in Montgomery. They were personal friends of Dr. Martin Luther King and experienced segregation, just like he did, first hand. That’s a part of where their passion to keep Dr. King’s legacy alive comes from. The rights and the freedoms we have today didn’t just appear, people fought for them—and the Jacobs were part of that history.
From teenage students to now retired educators, they have dedicated their lives to helping others through volunteerism and philanthropy—and are living legends and examples of what a life of service looks like.
In 2015, the Pasadena Martin Luther King Community Coalition honored the Jacobs for their 30 years of leadership of the organization and in the community.
More About Dr. Jackie Jacobs
Dr. Jacobs received her early education in the public schools and colleges of Alabama. She received her B.S. degree in biology and mathematics from Alabama State University; M.A. degree in science education from Fisk University; and Ph.D. in biology from the University of Washington. She also earned certificates in leadership and management from Bryn Mawr College and Harvard University.
In addition to being the chair of the Pasadena MLK Community Coalition, Dr. Jacobs has been and is still active in her church, professional organizations and the community. She served eight years on the Board of Education for Pasadena Unified School District, including two years as board president. Some of her other community participation includes being chair of Aspires West Pasadena, which focuses on helping students to prepare for college and careers and living a fruitful life; volunteering with the Black Child Development Institute; and holding a life membership in the NAACP. In addition, Dr. Jacobs is a member of Minority Women In Science, the Association of California Community College Administrators, and other organizations. Over the years, she has been the recipient of many awards and honors such as, Teacher of the Year, Outstanding Citizen, the YWCA 20th Century Leadership Award, and Science Educator of the Year 1996 from National Technical Association. Another honor came from Senator Jack Scott who named Dr. Jacobs the “21st Senatorial District Woman of the Year for 2003.” She and her husband, Dr. David Jacobs were recipients of the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission 2003 Community Service Award.
Dr. Jacobs sincerely believes that relationships are the most important and lasting elements in life. Therefore, she strives to develop and maintain good relationships with all people.