Scott Jackson - Take Me with You

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR

Take Me with You

Scott Jackson knows that good storytelling helps people discover their passions and connect with great causes. In Take Me with You, he tells his own story, explaining how a childs decision to run away from an abusive father in the middle of a Kansas snowstorm changed his life and made him a fighter for justice and equity. Scott understands the power of the personal narrative, and he uses it to weave a compelling call to action to address the toughest development challenges of the 21st century.

DR. CHRISTOPHER ELIAS

President of the Global Development Division Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, former President and CEO of PATH

I first read an early draft of Take Me with You at least a half dozen years ago. It was spellbinding then. But it has matured since then, and now is the time for the story to come forth. Today, more than ever, we need this personal account of how courage, persistence, and love overcame abuse and racism, and how these qualities are central to the unprecedented flourishing of global philanthropy. We are indeed building a better, safer world and Scott Jacksons life story is no small part of that effort.

DR. JACK FARIS

formerly Director of Community Strategies, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

From the moment I met Scott Jackson in the fall of 1976 my life has been enriched and inspired by his contagious energy and passion. Now Take Me with You inspires its readers. Scott Jacksons book is an important combination of call for action and a wonderful read that tells a meaningful story.

JOHN OPPENHEIMER

CEO of Columbia Hospitality

When Scott Jackson worked with me at World Vision, I saw his heart for vulnerable children before I knew his storyand what a remarkable story it is! A young white boy caught in the midst of racial discrimination and abuse in Americas Midwest in the 1960s makes a daring cross-country escape to find a new life in an African-American community in the Pacific Northwest. Yet the things that could have broken him instead made him stronger in his faith, his compassion, and his desire to be a catalyst for justice. This book is a riveting and amazing read.

RICHARD STEARNS

President of World Vision U.S. and author of The Hole in Our Gospel

Take Me with You spoke to my heart. Scott Jackson writes of growing up as a young White boy in the Midwest during the early 60s when communities across the United States were confronting the harsh realities of racial inequality. Scott lived just this side of the railroad tracks with an abusive father who crushed the very spirit of those he loved best: Scott and his mother. In their attempt to escape the terror of an abusive home, Scott and his mother sought physical and spiritual sanctuary within the Black community living on the other side of the tracks, and discovered pathways to healing that speak to humanitys great capacity for acceptance and compassion and, yes, love.

In a deceptively simple style, Scott recounts his journey with grace and humility. Through his story we come to appreciate that Scott, by virtue of his deep faith and unique life experiences, has been able to find the charity within. How extraordinary to have woven his story as a survivor of abuse and as a kid growing up in a biracial family with insights gathered across the years working as a leader in global development and as an expert on US philanthropy! We should all thank Scott for writing Take Me with You. Such an authentic voice is rare, and the promise of his story is one that we need to realize today. I thank him for including the International Center for Research on Women as a noteworthy charity in the book. We are honored.

SARAH DEGNAN KAMBOU

President of the International Center for Research on Women

Scott Jacksons Take Me with You is an amazing tale that is truly made captivating by his early struggles with racism and how that shaped his commitment and career to serving others. As a child, he faced difficult choices involving his biological father and mothers marriage to a black preacher that complicated his life but eventually proved inspirational. Often its not the smooth sailing through life, but a tough and bruising journey that builds character and leads to higher achievements. Scott Jacksons story is revealing of his spirit and determination to make a difference in peoples lives, clearly demonstrated throughout the book and by his senior executive positions with the worlds most prominent organizations. Take Me with You will bring value and inspiration to anyone who reads it.

DON BONKER

Executive Director APCO Worldwide Former U.S. Congressman

Copyright 2017 by Scott Jackson

All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.

This edition published by SelectBooks, Inc.

For information address SelectBooks, Inc., New York, New York.

First Edition

ISBN 978-1-59079-400-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Jackson, Scott, (Philanthropist), author.

Title: Take me with you / Scott Jackson.

Description: New York: SelectBooks, 2017.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016029245

Subjects: LCSH: Jackson, Scott, (Philanthropist) | Philanthropists--United States--Biography. | Fund raising--United States. | Leadership. | BISAC: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs.

Classification: LCC HV28.J33 J33 2017 | DDC 361.7/4092 [B] --dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016029245

Book design by Janice Benight

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The following song lyrics in the book are used with permission and credited to the following owners of copyright:

Weve Come This Far by Faith, page 86, Manna Music, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ill Fly Away, page 185, Albert E. Brumley & Sons. All rights reserved.

Global Goals photos and story text courtesy of the following:

Chapter Two, page 47 International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)

Chapter Three, page 65 American Jewish World Service (AJWS)

Chapter Four, page 77 2016 World Vision

Chapter Five, page 98 International Justice Mission (IJM)

Chapter Six, page 117 Heifer International

Chapter Seven, page 134 International Medical Corps

Chapter Eight, page 153 UNICEF

Chapter Nine, page 177 IMACT 2030

Chapter Ten, page 194 Global Impact

Chapter Eleven, page 210 Comic Relief

Chapter Twelve, page 226 International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Chapter Thirteen, 234 Mercy Corps

This is my story, my song, dedicated to the Reverend Jefferson JacksonBeloved Pastor, Husband, and Father.

To Sydney, the love of Jeffersons life and my mom, who never wavered in her commitment to Take Me with You.

To all of us who persevere to find the charity within, regardless of lifes circumstances.

Table of Contents

Contents

I wanted to share my story because it has influenced my own commitment to help others realize their full potential and contribute to a better, safer world. My goal is to offer a message of hope and encourage you to embark on your own journey to serve others and spark positive changein whatever way you canbecause every life matters and there are so many in need around the globe.