Growing up in Northern Manhattan with eight brothers and sisters, times were often challenging. As a student at PS 186, Robert Jackson never dreamed that one day he would be a New York State Senator. It was possible through hard work, perseverance, and the help of good people in the community. Teachers like his track coach at Benjamin Franklin High School, Mr. Irwin Goldberg, served as a mentor and made sure he went to college which made all the difference. That’s why Senator Jackson has fought hard to knock down barriers and ensure every child receives the best education possible.
As a Community School Board President, Robert Jackson filed a lawsuit against New York State to fix an inequitable school funding distribution formula that was cheating schools and undermining our children’s future. He walked 150 miles to Albany to bring attention to the lawsuit and won a court judgment that awarded $16 billion to NYC schools. As a result of this landmark decision and “for being a staunch advocate for generations of New York City children, for never giving up on the belief that education is a basic civil right, and for giving millions of city students a fighting chance,” NY1 honored Robert as “New Yorker of the Year.”
Senator Jackson is also no stranger to the labor movement and the fight for labor rights. With 23 years of dedication to advocating for union workers, he has a deep commitment to this cause. He first served in the Department of Labor and later worked with the statewide labor union, The Public Employees Federation (PEF). Currently, Senator Jackson holds the position of Chair of Civil Service & Pensions in the New York State Senate.