Most Interesting and Influential 2007: Jackie Jerome Marks

    Jackie Jerome Marks was born in Germany.  Growing up as a military child,  he was raised in Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky and Oklahoma.  His father , Floyd, was an Army veteran of 20 years who moved to Detroit after his retirement.
     Jackie Jerome graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology.
     Jackie Jerome began his career as working at a Federal Correction Center in Detroit, moving up in the ranks, eventually leaving as a Social Worker. He is also a Certified Addictions Counselor and HIV/AIDS Counselor.
     He  became politically active after college with the Michigan Young Democrats, elected as the State Treasurer and then elected by the National Young Democrats as the Congressional liaison.  In 1989 he ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for Detroit City Council.
     In 1990 he became a field organizer for Governor Blanchard’s campaign. Jackie Jerome was also the field organizer in Detroit and Oakland County for President Clinton’s campaigns in 1992 and 1996. In 2000 he became the field coordinator in Oakland county for Vice President Gore. 
     Elected as Precinct Delegate in Detroit from 1988-1994, moved to Royal Oak where he was elected also Precinct Delegate and served from 1996-2002 and is currently a Precinct Delegate in Lansing, elected in 2004.
    Jackie Jerome met Attorney General Jennifer Granholm shortly after her announcement to run for Governor in 2001 as a volunteer for her Gubernatorial campaign and quickly became her driver and personal assistant.
   After her election victory in 2002 he became “Special Assistant to the Governor” which entailed traveling with the Governor Granholm providing advice and assistance.
    In July 2006 he began speaking for Governor Granholm as a surrogate representing her throughout the State…covering 31 counties, 52 cities and nearly 100 events
    Currently Jackie Jerome is “Special Advisor to the Governor” representing her as a surrogate speaker and community relations liaison and still traveling with Governor Granholm on a very limited basis.
     He also supports Barack Obama for President.
     Jackie Jerome feels that his greatest attribute is the ability to communicate and treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of their political affiliation, social-economic status or race.
     A member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (pledged undergrad at EMU Delta Nu chapter) and active member of the Lansing Alumni Chapter.