Erika James Jackson

Erika James (EJ) Jackson , is a married, 4th generation Washingtonian and the mother of one son. A legal industry veteran that now focuses her time and talents on community-based initiatives. In 2005, EJ was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, debilitating disease of the central nervous system. As a result of the effects of this unpredictable disease, Jackson was medically advised to discontinue her career. Not willing to allow MS to cease her existence, for nearly a decade Erika has been a volunteer, District Activist Leader for the National MS Society in her 10th District (Virginia) and a member of the Government Relations Advisory Committee for the State. She brings awareness to elected officials about issues such as medical research, government entitlement programs, and rising prescription costs, that can greatly impact those with MS. To bring visible awareness to MS in her community, Jackson was able to secure the Fairfax County Proclamation declaring March 30, 2022 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day. This Proclamation was recognized by the Board of Supervisors-Sully District, resulting in Erika being appointed to the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board and representing her District for a three-year term. Since 2018, Jackson has added her voice to the Inova Mount Vernon Hospital (IMVH) Patient Family Advisory Council (PFAC) and is an Inova Visionaries Program contributor. In the 2022 governance year, Jackson was appointed to the IMVH Quality Board for a five-year term. Jackson is also a volunteer and staunch supporter of the efforts and mission of Shelter House. Beginning in 2020, Erika has spearheaded several donation drives, assisted staff with fundraising events and created a partnership with IMVH to donate after-school snacks, holiday gifts, coats and cold-weather accessories for children in the Domestic Violence Supportive Housing. As a result of her volunteer efforts, in 2022 Jackson was a Volunteer Fairfax Service Award nominee and Shelter House Changing Lives Award recipient. Seeing a dream realized, Jackson is the published author of the acclaimed memoir, Thirteen (pen name EJ Jackson ) [Mascot Books, 2018]. In her debut effort, Jackson's captivating memoir shares gritty details of dealing with her present, yet volatile father and how she survived to becoming the woman she is today. Receiving critical reviews that describe her book as "Heartbreakingly, brave", "Raw storytelling" and "Unapologetically graphic"; featured in local newspapers and a national magazine as well as required reading for students at a private, Maryland university. EJ is a masterful storyteller, poet and experienced motivational speaker for local, national and international audiences. Erika has lived in Northern Virginia for over a decade with her family and when not otherwise engaged with them or the community, she loves spending time with friends, cooking, watching documentaries, listening to music and of course, writing.