By Michael Moore
Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumna Staci R. Collins Jackson will be among those judging entrants for the Oscars.
The Chicago native was recently named as a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which includes the most successful film executives, filmmakers, and artists who select the nominees and winners of the Academy Awards also known as the Oscars. The veteran public relations executive is also a voting member for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the organization that votes for the Emmys.
In a statement released by The Oscars, the organization acknowledged the representation of women and individuals from different ethnic and racial backgrounds out of 819 individuals selected.
“The 2020 class is 45 percent women, 36 percent underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 49 percent international from 68 countries,” the organization said.
Jackson was the only African American selected to join the organization’s marketing and public relations branch’s Class of 2020.
Jackson believes her time at FAMU helped her prepare for success.
“I am elated to join the magnitude of talent in The Academy’s Class of 2020. It is an honor to be a member of this elite global group,” said Jackson. “My leadership roles at FAMU and education from the School of Journalism, Media and Graphic Arts definitely prepared me for my career in the entertainment business.”
At FAMU, Jackson held several campus queen titles, served as the Secretary of State for Student Government Association, and was an adviser for Miss FAMU and the Royal Court. She joined the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and is a life-member and chairman of the sorority’s International Honorary Members and Awards Committee.
Jackson earned a bachelor’s in journalism from FAMU and a master’s in arts, entertainment & media management from Columbia College. She also completed executive programs at UCLA, Harvard Business School, and Stanford University.
Jackson serves as the CEO of The Collins Jackson Agency PR firm. She has led PR campaigns for Oscar nominated films and top movies in the box office such as Girls Trip, Think Like a Man film franchise, Ride Along 2, and the upcoming Coming 2 America, which stars Eddie Murphy. She also served as the director of communications at Harpo Studios and publicist for Oprah Winfrey.
