Eric Jackson, Visionary and Servant-Director of Black Yield Institute, an emerging institution based in Baltimore, Maryland. Black Yield Institute endeavor to build independent power by establishing an action network and incubator of and for black people and entities, in pursuit of Black Food Sovereignty. He is also a 2017 OSI Baltimore Community Fellow and a 2016 US Human Rights Network FIHRE Fellow.

Since 2013, Eric has been contributing to educating future change agents, as an Adjunct Professor teaching/ facilitating courses on community organizing and macro social work practice, earning the 2017 Exemplary Faculty Award. He, currently, educates and nurtures youth at Orita's Cross Freedom School, an African-centered school in Baltimore.

In previous years, Eric has served in leadership capacities on issues and programs related to food access, community schools, youth development, and overall community organizing and development. Eric has received Bachelor’s and Master’s Social Work degrees from Morgan State University & University of MD, School of Social Work, respectively.

Ultimately, Eric’s vision is to organize and develop leadership within Black and poor communities with the goals of dismantling racism, building greater social, political and economic power, and establish self-determination through institution and movement building.

Outside of his work, Eric, a life-long resident of Baltimore, Maryland, enjoys teaching, reading, connecting with good people and eating good food. He is supported and loved on his journey by his four strong children and powerful Queen, Diara.