Camara Jackson Is Serving Hometown Through Education And Anti-Violence Efforts

In the heart of underserved neighborhoods, where hope can often seem distant, Camara Jackson stands as a beacon of resilience and inspiration.

As the founder and executive director of Elite Learners, Inc., she is committed to addressing the dual crises of education and violence in Central Brooklyn, N.Y. Since its establishment in 2016, Elite Learners has worked to transform the lives of at-risk youth, leveraging her unique perspective shaped by her own challenges.

Through their hands-on projects, gun violence decreased 18% in Brownsville and 14% in Prospect Lefferts Garden, according to the organization’s website. In 2024 alone, the public safety services provided by Elite Learners has decreased violence in central Brooklyn by more than 15%, Camara said.

“Elite Learners also opened an office on the corner of Hawthorne Street and offered it as a space for people to gather, get workforce development support and be able to talk to social workers and receive mental health support,” she added. “Hawthorne used to be known for crime and gun violence and that has since changed. Anti-violence initiatives work when they’re properly funded and supported.”

Born with sickle cell disease, she faced numerous obstacles throughout her life, especially when it came to finding work.

“Growing up, a majority of my life was spent in a hospital bed,” she said. “Anytime there was a holiday or an important time in my life, I would face an adversity before I was ever celebrated, and adversity would be the disease, the crisis itself,” she said. “Your entire body feels like its under attack, but life doesn’t stop.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 people in the United States, more than 90% of whom are non-Hispanic Black or African American. The estimated life expectancy of those with sickle cell disease is more than 20 years shorter than the average lifespan. Sickle cell disease can cause unique problems in women, including delayed puberty, more painful periods, and increased complications during pregnancy, according to the Office on Women’s Health.

Camara said she knew that her body could not handle working every day in a school setting, but she had a strong passion for helping young people and realized that in order to be fulfilled and still work she needed to created the life she wanted. Instead of letting it define her, she channeled her experiences into creating meaningful change.

“Becoming a mother and surviving childbirth was truly life changing,” she said. “Becoming a mother gave me the necessary reassurance. I knew more than ever that all I had studied for and prepared for was all in line to serve my community and be a living example for anyone that was ever told ‘no’ or told ‘you can’t do that.'”

Elite Learners operates under a mission rooted the needs of the communities in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Brownsville, East Flatbush, Flatbush and Prospect Lefferts Garden. These mission-driven efforts include youth educational programs, anti-bullying literacy programs, anti-violence initiatives, community-based mentorships, conflict mediation workshops and entrepreneurship training.

“I’m serving in the community in which I’m from,” she said. “I lived it, I breathed it, and now I’m tackling all of the community’s needs.”

The organization also provides support services for youth, focusing on those who are most vulnerable—young people in foster care, those with criminal histories, and students with special educational needs. And despite the success of Elite Learners, Jackson’s journey has not been without hurdles. As a Black woman leading a large community initiative, she often felt overlooked.

“There’s a perception that because I made it, the youth from my community can too,” she said. “I did go to the same schools, and I did make it, but we deserve more and I feel like the communities deserve more. It’s often a gift and a curse.”

Elite Learners first partnered with New York State under Governor Cuomo’s administration, where it expanded its reach. Through the organization, outreach workers connect with young people who are at critical stages of their lives, providing mentorship and guidance.

Yet, sustaining this level of support has been challenging, especially as funding sources shift. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Elite Learners pivoted to meet urgent community needs by transforming their offices into food pantry locations. The organization scaled back offering food pantry services once the height of the pandemic had passed, but are still seeing 150 to 200 families lining up for the pantry each week. While pandemic-era funding for these types of programs has ended, Camara said they are still trying to raise funds and support to keep the pantry going.

This overwhelming response underscores the persistent and escalating needs within the community, a reality that often goes unnoticed by those outside it, she added.

Looking ahead, she is excited about the organization’s new entrepreneurship programs, which walks participants through the process of developing business plans and teaches them how to create marketing plans and operational strategies. By providing training in various fields—from computer literacy to culinary skills to robotics programs—Elite Learners empowers youth to carve their paths.

“I’m a prime example of what can be achieved with the right support,” she asserted. “Had I not learned business skills, Elite Learners wouldn’t be here today.”

For those who would like to make a difference in their communities, Jackson encourages them to connect with grassroots organizations. “Find a local organization whose mission you believe in,” she said. “Your heart has to be in it.”