"My passion for giving is no different than yours. I give because it's in my heart to give. I give because I was taught to give at a very early age. This is how I developed my passion for giving."
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Founder and Chairperson
is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. Sports Illustrated for Women voted Jackie Female "Athlete of the 20th Century" and ESPN named her one of the 50 Greatest Athletes. She received these honors by becoming the first woman to win back-to-back gold medals in the seven disciplined event, heptathlon; the first woman to score 7,000 points in the heptathlon, currently holding the World record with 7,291 points. Jackie is also the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the long jump, all accomplished on her way to winning 6 Olympic Medals in four consecutive Olympic Games. Named after first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, by her grandmother in March of 1962, she must have known her granddaughter would surely be the first lady in some phase of her life.
Jackie, always determined to give back, continues to keep her personal promise to be a contributing citizen of the metropolitan East St. Louis and St. Louis community. Her world-class philanthropic deeds are praised worldwide. She has amazed everyone and disappointed no one, as she works to enhance the lives of children around the globe; champions the causes of asthma awareness, education and healthy lifestyles. Jackie motivates corporate conference and meeting attendees nationwide with her proven philosophy for being successful while balancing all of life's obstacles.
Prompted by the closing of the Mary Brown Center in her hometown of East St. Louis, Illinois, Jackie was worried about how the youth of the area were spending their time. That center had long provided a nurturing and fun environment for Jackie to learn, play and realize the importance the people of the community who made a difference in her life. Jackie was compelled by the closing of the Center to give back to her community by building a new center. Thus began her Passion for Giving.
Jackie's passion was evident in 2000 when she proudly opened the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center (JJK Center) in her hometown of East St. Louis, Illinois. With Jackie's leadership the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation raised more than $12 million to build a safe haven for young people to come learn, play and contribute back to their community. The JJK Center provides services to thousands of families and youth in the metropolitan St. Louis area. Offering a variety of educational and recreational activities for youth and adults including; after-school tutoring, youth sports leagues, nutrition and health education, character/leadership workships, fitness for seniors, as well as many other important community related programs. The Center is an integral part of impacting and revitalizing the East St. Louis community and their youth.
Jackie is continuously working to involve more corporations, sponsors and community groups in advancing the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation's programs and initiatives worldwide.
