Collaboraction is known for its fearless approach to theatre, eliciting social change, and being on the cusp of innovation. Trendsetting since its inception in 1997, Collaboraction is taking a leading role in diversity and inclusion, naming Darlene “DJ Lady D” Jackson as the theatre’s new Board President.
Jackson has been actively involved with Collaboraction for a decade, an active board member for a year, and is excited and honored to be the first Black woman board president of Collaboraction. She follows the three-year term of past Board Chair, Justin Frick of AV Chicago, who will remain on the Board as Past-President.
Jackson’s term begins July 2020; currently as Vice-Chair of the Board, she is spearheading Collaboraction’s new fundraising initiative, “Transcendence,” a $100,000 match campaign. Donations to this new initiative will support Collaboraction’s Together Network of online programming to produce virtual versions of the theatre’s annual festivals, The Light, a youth festival in July 2020, and the Peacebook Festival in the Fall.
Darlene Jackson, aka DJ Lady D, has toured North America, Europe, Asia, and Russia as an international DJ, producer, remixer, and in 2004, launched her independent record label and marketing brand, D’lectable.
Well known for charismatic musical sets, her appearances at SXSW, Lollapalooza and fan-filled, influencer, charity and celebrity events such as for Dave Chapelle, and major brands, have solidified her trailblazing career.
Jackson has been a featured subject in numerous print, television, and film media, including the music documentaries Girl, The Godfather of Disco, and Slipcue and the books, Do You Remember House by Micah Salkind, How To DJ Right by Frank Broughton, and Disco Demolition: The Night Disco Died by Dave Hoekstra.
As a host, producer, writer, and researcher, Jackson has worked with various media outlets including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Public Media, Vocalo.org, NPR, and BBC radio. You can currently hear Jackson on the radio the last Friday of every month on Vocalo.org 91.1 FM-Chicago.
Jackson received her Master of Science degree in Health Communication from Northwestern University, and as a Creative Industry Liaison, currently advises students and designs and curates diversity and career/industry programs for The Career Center at Columbia College Chicago.
N’DIGO: Why do you believe in the power of theatre to incite change?
Darlene Jackson: Theatre is one of our most powerful mediums that every individual has a right to and can participate in, and I believe, is a necessity for every community. I was exposed to the theatre very early in age as my parents were avid theatregoers.
When I was six, my mother enrolled me with a company where I performed in various productions throughout my youth. I received an award for a play I’d written about Harriet Tubman at the age of eight and by the age of 10, I was cast in a movie with Cicely Tyson and Morgan Freeman. These exposures to stage and film increased my self-esteem, informed my worldview, expanded my horizons, and helped me discover my passion for service and collaboration. I believe in its power because I am living proof.
What outcomes do you hope to drive for Collaboraction in your term as President?
The Collaboraction mission of “theatre for positive social change” is front and center in my mind as President. It means that as an organization we will continue to elevate Black and brown voices and share these stories while increasing our commitment to community involvement.
Collaboraction will lead the way in affirming Chicago as a place where diverse groups can achieve visibility, influence policies that dismantle systems, and prioritize equity. I will also work on engagement to build a more inclusive Board of Directors. If anyone is interested in finding out more, I hope that they will reach out to me. I’m looking for more good people to work with us. Ultimately, normalizing the culture of theatre in our communities is my desired outcome.
What is your philosophy on cultivating artists and audiences at Kennedy-King College in Englewood?
This is truly one of my favorite parts. Our community engagement has taken us to neighborhoods throughout Chicago. When I look at the resources Kennedy-King has to offer in the center of Chicago’s South Side, I’m thrilled we can spotlight the talented people there and excited for residents to see productions in their area, often by people from within the community.
Further, our relationships with Englewood’s vital organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce attest to our visibility offstage as well. Our members contribute to the overall vibrancy of this neighborhood by devoting time to its well-being, as we most recently did following the George Floyd murder protests, by packing and providing needed supplies for residents and assisting in a community cleanup.
How has your music career prepared you for this role?
My music career is what initially got me involved with Collaboraction. I became aware of the organization when they requested my musical services. I was inspired to do more after I attended a few productions and saw how they devised original theatre to open a platform to voices not traditionally heard.
This motivated me to take a more active role and work with them to raise funds so they could continue to provide this valuable service to Chicago’s youth and adult performers, playwrights, and patrons. With 25 years of building relationships as an entrepreneur and international DJ/Producer, I’ve been able to draw upon my experience as a master communicator to assist the company with achieving their goals for the past decade as a volunteer. Stepping up as Board President, in addition to a motivated leader, they now have a DJ that can throw down at a moment’s notice for any event!
What is something about Collaboraction that you want others to know?
I want people to know that Collaboraction is a real racial justice theatre. We not only produce works that give voice to issues confronting Chicagoans daily, but we intentionally strive to build trust, empathy, and awareness through proactive measures. We spend a great deal of energy around reflection and actively listening to audiences. We are responsive to the needs of the people. With years of innovation around this topic, long before it was in vogue to do so, I am rather proud to be affiliated with such a groundbreaking organization.
What does it mean to you to be a Black woman Board President in 2020?
Community leadership development and gender equity are near and dear to my mission. My purpose in life has guided me to this role instinctively. Looking back on the different groups I’ve worked with, the themes have been consistent: the importance of the arts in personal development and empowerment in the lives of all people. To be Collaboraction’s first Black woman Board President feels like the progress I’ve often pushed for is possible and that I am change personified.
Anything else you want our readers to know?
In Collaboraction, I work with a diverse team of directors that includes Anthony Moseley, Dr. Marcus Watkins, and J. Nicole Brooks, as an example of our mission in action. If readers are choosing organizations to contribute to this month, I would be honored if they considered Collaboraction. Our Transcendence Campaign has matching funds that will allow us to continue our impactful work with even greater sustainability and success. As we develop new delivery methods of bringing theatre to the people in these changing times, representation matters, and every donation of any amount helps.
(For more information about Collaboraction or Darlene “DJ Lady D” Jackson, contact Briahna Gatlin, b.gatlin@swankpublishing.com)
