A very special initiative
Mahalia Jackson's own lack of formal education shaped her desire to open doors for others. For her, the foundation was more than just financial support; it was a "launching pad" for God's grace and a way to make dreams come true. Her long-held desire to build a non-denominational, non-sectarian temple in Chicago where children of all ethnicities could sing, learn, and develop their talents remained unfulfilled during her lifetime, but her foundation was a concrete step in that direction.
The idea for such a foundation was first proposed in 1955 by Nettie Irving, a friend of Mahalia's, as a way to use funds more effectively for educational purposes. After three years of preparatory work, including the establishment of a board of directors and the appointment of Bob Miller as treasurer, the Mahalia Jackson Foundation was finally officially launched in 1961 – other sources date its founding to around 1959. It was important to Mahalia Jackson personally to sign every check by hand in order to maintain control over how the funds were used. Ivory Wilkerson served as president of the Mahalia Jackson Foundation Guild, which supported the work of the foundation.
Mahalia Jackson financed numerous scholarships from her own income over many years. To further increase the foundation's funds, she organized benefit events. One outstanding example was a concert at the Chicago Auditorium Theater in 1968, at which Mayor Richard Daley presented a donation of $5,000. She also persuaded other well-known artists such as Jane Russell, Connie Haines, and Beryl Davis to perform at benefit concerts for the foundation. In December 1967, a letter was sent to potential donors to broaden the foundation's financial base. The foundation, which was based at 8358 Indiana Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60619, was recognized as a non-profit organization and issued tax-deductible donation receipts.
The foundation awarded scholarships to talented students regardless of their ethnic background, meaning that both black and white students benefited from its support. Students who received funding from the Mahalia Jackson Foundation attended prestigious educational institutions such as Lincoln University, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Roosevelt University. One example is Gregory Boyles from Chicago, who received a two-year scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute in 1970. In total, Mahalia Jackson supported students at at least 55 colleges and universities in various states, including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Tennessee. She also gave lectures at schools and colleges to encourage young people to take initiative and help themselves.
The significance of Mahalia Jackson's commitment was also recognized internationally. Princess Grace of Monaco expressed her admiration and discussed the foundation and Jackson's hopes for young people with her personally. The Mahalia Jackson Scholarship Foundation stands as a shining example of Jackson's tireless efforts to use her success for social causes and create educational opportunities for the next generation. Although her dream of a multiracial music school remained unfulfilled, she left a lasting legacy through the foundation that continues to inspire and cement the legacy of this remarkable woman.
©Thilo Plaesser