Educator Hasani Jackson is planning to run as a new candidate for city commission in this April’s election, and his mission is to give Plant City a new vision, direction and sense of community.
“My goal is to uplift the older generations, while rejuvenating the younger generations,” Jackson said.
Jackson, 37, will be one of the youngest candidates to ever run. He is a teacher at Simmons Career Center, and he wants to represent students concerns while in office to ensure that none of the city’s youth are ignored.
Mary Mathis, also an educator, is the only city commissioner whose term will expire this year. Jackson said he is not focusing on running against Mathis, but simply for the changes he wishes to see in the community.
For the Youth
When Jackson was a child, he looked up to Sadye Gibbs Martin, the first black person to serve as a city commissioner and mayor. He adored her for her involvement in the community and her attention to young people.
“I was in awe to see this black lady just everywhere, and that motivated me as a young kid to pursue that kind of position as well,” Jackson said.
Since 2004, Jackson has dedicated himself to the youth of Plant City. His care for students extends far beyond the classroom.
Jackson once personally helped a student get out of a gang so he could focus on his schoolwork and future career. Years later, Jackson ran into the former student around town. The student thanked him again for his prior guidance, and offered to repay Jackson however he could.
“I said, ‘Take care of your kid, get an education.’ I shook his hand and I told him I loved him,” Jackson said.
In 2014, Jackson made sure no obstacle would stand in the way of a student taking the GED, paying for the student’s bus ticket to Jacksonville so he could take it one last time. The student passed.
As a commissioner, Jackson said he would focus primarily on the youth of Plant City, just as he has done throughout his career, regardless of their economic status or history.
“They all need somebody to help build their future,” Jackson said. “If they have the opportunity to see someone like myself in the position of city commission, it will give them a role model to look up to.”
Some of Jackson’s specific goals are to attract more young people to Plant City, update technology at local recreation centers so that children can learn about computers, involve more church leaders in community-building projects and clean up certain areas to improve Plant City’s visual aesthetic.
Family Man
Jackson was born and raised in Plant City. Now, he and his wife, Amii, are raising four children of their own.
“I have an interracial family,” Jackson said. “There’s a lot of interracial families here in Plant City. That’s where the new vision comes in, the new direction. Family is a must.”
From his father, Jackson learned to be concerned with politics and strive to be a light in the community. From his mother, he learned the importance of having a strong comforter.
Hasani and Amii Jackson were married in 2011. Amii coaches Plant City Dolphins cheerleading.
The Jacksons attend Mount Olive Baptist Church. Hasani also participates in a men’s group at New City Church.
BIO: Hasani Jackson
Age: 37
Occupation: Teacher, Simmons Career Center
Education: Bachelor’s in sociology from University of South Florida; currently working on master’s in education leadership
Family: Wife, Amii; four children
Community involvement: Member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, volunteer for Next Level Sports Academe
