With over 50 years of experience CCP is a full service television production company that produces, syndicates, and manages advertising sales for all of its programs. CCP's programs reflect the widespread diversity of talent, the one-time specials and the annual and/or weekly programs that have achieved tremendous mass audience appeal.
Don Jackson is one of the country’s most successful television and media entrepreneurs. His Chicago-based, Central City Productions, has produced, marketed and syndicated television shows for over a half-century, with many of the shows becoming bedrock programming for African-American audiences.
In early 2023, Jackson launched the Stellar Network, a 24-hour seven day a week family friendly television entertainment network targeted to African American audiences, available on cable, OTT AVOD platforms and broadcast syndication.
Jackson’s media career began in 1970 when he founded Central City Productions, Inc. For over five decades, the company specializes in marketing, promotion, sales, syndication, digital media and the production of television programs for African- Americans.
Today, Central City Productions is a full-service television company that produces, syndicates, and manages advertising sales for all of the company’s national television programs. Its mission is to develop television programming designed to communicate positive, uplifting images of Black people all over the world.
Under Jackson’s guidance and vision, CCP has launched many new and unique television programs for African-Americans. Some of these programs grew to become must-see shows that are watched daily, weekly or annually by African-Americans across the globe. Many of these programs, like the Stellar Awards, have been broadcast for more than 37 consecutive years. Other shows airing annually include the Black Music Honors, Black College Quiz, Stellar Tribute to the Holidays, America’s Black Forum, Black History Honors, Mentoring Queens and Mentoring Kings, just to name a few.
Jackson is a graduate of Chicago’s Marshall High School, where he played on the school’s 1960 state championship basketball team. He attended Northwestern University on a basketball scholarship and was captain of Northwestern’s Wildcats basketball team in 1965. That year, Jackson also earned a B.S. in Radio, TV, and Film from Northwestern University.
Jackson gives back to the Chicago community as a member of several organizations. He is the former chairman of the board of Chicago’s DuSable Museum of African American History. He also previously served on the boards of Northwestern University, Junior Achievement of Chicago, Columbia College, Gateway Foundation and the Chicago Transit Authority Board.
In addition, Jackson was the founder of A.B.L.E. (Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs), the first business organization bringing together Black leaders in the business community to network, to address business issues and to provide a legacy for future African-American entrepreneurs. A.B.L.E. has since merged into the larger organization, Business Leadership Council.
He has received numerous awards for his business accomplishments and community involvement, including recognition from the Living Legends Foundation; Minority Business Development Council Inc.; Cosmopolitan Chamber of Commerce; Truman College; Gateway Foundation; Kizzy Foundation; and the National Association of Black Construction Workers.
Jackson is married to Dr. Teresa Hairston Jackson. He was married for over 52 years to Dr. Rosemary R. Jackson before she passed away in 2018. He is the father of two adult children and grandfather to Donovan, Dain and Riley.
If you really want to know what’s going on with a business, you have to look at the numbers. Jennifer Jackson, President and COO of Central City Productions, Inc., ensures that the company’s numerical picture gives sharp focus, so it can continue growing its core business of national television production, sales and syndication.
Jennifer Jackson’s primary training is in accounting. She combines her financial and budget management skills with knowledge of production to execute major projects for the Chicago-based company. On a daily basis, she collaborates with the CEO on short and long-term plans, compiles financial projections and analysis and serves as a liaison with legal and banking partners.
Ms. Jackson hands on view of all company functions that includes hands on experience in the areas of finance, production, promotions, digital, administration, and working hand in hand with the sales and syndication teams at Central City Productions.
With her hands-on management approach, she has overseen all show production elements from budget to execution. Under her guidance, Central City Productions has successfully presented shows including The Stellar Gospel Music Awards, the Trumpet Awards, Black College Quiz, Hispanic College Quiz, Mentoring Kings, Stellar Sunday, and the Bud Billiken Back to School Parade.
Ms. Jackson joined Central City Productions in 1992, after working first as an auditor with Hill Taylor and Company Certified Public Accountants. Central City Productions was founded more than 40 years ago by her uncle, Don Jackson, but Ms. Jackson says she never envisioned working for the company.
After more than 25 years on the job, Ms. Jackson says she is driven by her desire to build while also bringing greater efficiency to overall operations. Her training in accounting and finance with exposure to production provides a 360-degree view, and that view helps make a stronger forward thinking company, she says.
Ms. Jackson grew up in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. As a child, she remembers having a challenge with numbers in elementary school. After getting help through a special class, it clicked and launched her lifelong love of numbers. That experience still reminds her that everyone is teachable; they just need the right person to show them where it clicks.
A graduate of Kenwood Academy High School, Ms. Jackson went on to study at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. Later, she earned a Master of Business Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management.
Ms. Jackson enjoys community service. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Trinity United Church of Christ. She also volunteers in the community by mentoring youths and tutoring in math.