Hi TJ, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
After losing our mother as teens, my brothers and I started the Dee Dee Jackson Foundation in 2015 in her memory to help those who are going through significant loss in an attempt to help them find inspiration and hope. Today we do weekly live streams and have a podcast that helps thousands of people every week. In addition, we run our Music Heals Therapy program in various cities throughout Southern California for youth who are struggling with loss and inspiration.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been fairly smooth. The most difficult aspect has been winning the trust of some of the youth we are working with. We are reaching many of them at vulnerable and confusing times in their lives where they have lost hope in life. So what do we do? We lead with love and patience. We stay there for them and allow them to open up on their terms. We take pride in just being there for them.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a singer and have just released my first debut album this year. I am most known for the music I created with my brothers in the group 3T. We sold millions of records and were the second most selling group in Europe in 1997 just behind The Spice Girls. I am most proud of the work I do for our non-profit dedicated to our late mother Dee Dee Jackson (The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation).
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My family deserves much of my credit. My father Tito, my grandmother Katherine and my late uncle Michael and late mother Dee Dee shaped everything about me. My parents always showed me love and always taught me to believe in myself. They sacrificed so much to give me such a wonderful youth. And my uncle Michael and grandmother played such an important role of being there in my biggest time of need. They both were crucial for me after losing my mother. Without them, I’m not sure I would have recovered from losing my mother.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ddjf.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deedeejacksonfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DDJFoundation/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DDJFoundation
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIXinLVvBF744XyijGHY3sQ?view_as=subscriber
