Taj Jackson
Founder and “Power of Love” Host
The creation and launch of DDJF was very important to me and my brothers.
Throughout my life I have been lucky enough to have role models who have used their platform and unique positions to spread love, happiness, hope and light. My mom, Delores “Dee Dee” Jackson was one of those people. She showed me that a single person can make a difference in someone’s life and she would happily volunteer and/or donate her time to help and cater to others in need. Not only did I truly admire that about her, but I also wanted to follow her example by making a difference in the world.
I had just turned 21 when my mother was murdered. I immediately knew my life would never be the same. The naive, happy-go-lucky part of me died with her that day. I would not only be forced to grow up fast, but I also had become hardened and numb to loss and death.
My mom always wanted the best for me and my brothers and I knew deep down that she wouldn’t want me broken or still holding on to the huge and heavy weight of grief. I knew I had to somehow turn the tremendous grief of losing my mother into a way of celebrating her and her memory.
Creating The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation with my two brothers, TJ & Taryll, was a way to do just that — to honor her and her legacy, by helping others. There is no better feeling than helping others and making an impact and difference in their lives. It is something I live by and I am proud that we, at The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation, have also been able to create an amazing online community of support for others.
Throughout my life I have been lucky enough to have role models who have used their platform and unique positions to spread love, happiness, hope and light. My mom, Delores “Dee Dee” Jackson was one of those people. She showed me that a single person can make a difference in someone’s life and she would happily volunteer and/or donate her time to help and cater to others in need. Not only did I truly admire that about her, but I also wanted to follow her example by making a difference in the world.
I had just turned 21 when my mother was murdered. I immediately knew my life would never be the same. The naive, happy-go-lucky part of me died with her that day. I would not only be forced to grow up fast, but I also had become hardened and numb to loss and death.
My mom always wanted the best for me and my brothers and I knew deep down that she wouldn’t want me broken or still holding on to the huge and heavy weight of grief. I knew I had to somehow turn the tremendous grief of losing my mother into a way of celebrating her and her memory.
Creating The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation with my two brothers, TJ & Taryll, was a way to do just that — to honor her and her legacy, by helping others. There is no better feeling than helping others and making an impact and difference in their lives. It is something I live by and I am proud that we, at The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation, have also been able to create an amazing online community of support for others.
TJ Jackson
Founder and “ Power of Love” Host
It was important for me to co-launch The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation with my brothers, Taj & Taryll, because I truly felt there was a lack of resources in our society to help those who feel lost and hopeless while grieving. The process of losing is something that will forever be embedded in humanity, yet we don’t give it the proper attention we should to ensure that we heal properly and can grow after loss. Since launching The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation, I take pride in knowing that we are making a difference around the world in honor of my mother, Delores ‘Dee Dee’ Jackson and providing guidance for so many by helping them reclaim their lives after experiencing a significant loss.
Todd Ruhe
Chairman of the Board
I was fortunate to grow up in household where my mom and dad fostered giving back to the community via volunteer service, where I was taught there is nothing quite as humbling and rewarding as seeing your hard work transform the lives of many.
Upon the encouragement of my parents after I graduated from college, I reflected upon the gifts I was given during my safe, secure, healthy and trauma-free childhood (that not all are blessed to have). I knew even as a teen that I was fortunate to be surrounded by healthy relationships and giving back, which later lead me down the path of mental health healing and service provision.
Via executive leadership roles I’ve held in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, I’ve learned about the connection between childhood trauma and adult-life difficulties. In addition, I elected to gain my license as a doctor of psychology in clinical psychology. In the past I’ve also help create a board with another child and family healing based organization, much like the mission of DDJF.
I shared with family and friends in early 2016 I was well established personally and professionally and intended to carve out time for philanthropic work again. One of my close friends became aware that the Jackson brothers were initiating the creation of a foundation that mirrored my area of passion to give back. I had the pleasure of getting introduced to them and after our first meeting I heard their story and mission and I could not wait to be a part of it. I was elated to add my extensive philanthropic and professional expertise to their mission to help youth and families via music therapy.
I’ve enjoyed seeing firsthand the wonders our program does for children as they navigate the challenges of grief, and how it can heal and create harmony in the entire mind and body connection. I joyfully look forward to seeing what our talented board members and this organization can do to help our growing number of those we reach in the future!
We are proud this past year we have been able to expand our work outside of the California area to other states throughout the US. In addition, the evidence based research around music therapy has proven effective with other areas such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. DDJF is now implementing our Music Heals program to improve the lives of people that have been diagnosed with those neurological diseases. Enabling them to live an optimal life!
Upon the encouragement of my parents after I graduated from college, I reflected upon the gifts I was given during my safe, secure, healthy and trauma-free childhood (that not all are blessed to have). I knew even as a teen that I was fortunate to be surrounded by healthy relationships and giving back, which later lead me down the path of mental health healing and service provision.
Via executive leadership roles I’ve held in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry, I’ve learned about the connection between childhood trauma and adult-life difficulties. In addition, I elected to gain my license as a doctor of psychology in clinical psychology. In the past I’ve also help create a board with another child and family healing based organization, much like the mission of DDJF.
I shared with family and friends in early 2016 I was well established personally and professionally and intended to carve out time for philanthropic work again. One of my close friends became aware that the Jackson brothers were initiating the creation of a foundation that mirrored my area of passion to give back. I had the pleasure of getting introduced to them and after our first meeting I heard their story and mission and I could not wait to be a part of it. I was elated to add my extensive philanthropic and professional expertise to their mission to help youth and families via music therapy.
I’ve enjoyed seeing firsthand the wonders our program does for children as they navigate the challenges of grief, and how it can heal and create harmony in the entire mind and body connection. I joyfully look forward to seeing what our talented board members and this organization can do to help our growing number of those we reach in the future!
We are proud this past year we have been able to expand our work outside of the California area to other states throughout the US. In addition, the evidence based research around music therapy has proven effective with other areas such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. DDJF is now implementing our Music Heals program to improve the lives of people that have been diagnosed with those neurological diseases. Enabling them to live an optimal life!
Kaitlyn Corry
I have volunteered & collaborated with The Dee Dee Jackson Foundation since its inception in 2015 and when the opportunity arose to join their Board of Directors in early 2020, I felt honored and accepted the role immediately and with gratitude. The DDJF has always appealed to me because the core values of the foundation align with my own and the work they do in the grief space is both admirable & impactful. I always jump at the chance to do meaningful work that actually helps people because opportunities such as this don't often come along. I wanted to devote myself to a community that I feel connected to and The DDJF gave me that opportunity. One of my favorite elements of working with the foundation is being part of a dedicated team working towards a common goal. I am proud of the work this foundation does in support of the grieving community with a sharp focus on youth who have suffered loss & trauma. I am inspired by the Jackson brothers who do this work with the purest of intentions in honor of their late mother, Delores ‘Dee Dee’ Jackson. They continue to undoubtedly make her proud.
Lynn Keenan
After initially hearing an acquaintance passionately share how he was working with DDJF to help youth thrive through music therapy, I had to learn more. I was/am inspired by how DDJF began - how 3 brothers took a major family tragedy and turned it into an opportunity to help others. Managing though grief can be incredibly sad but TJ and Taj continue to infuse hope and love throughout all of their efforts. I am proud to be associated with DDJF, look forward to helping with existing initiatives and discovering new ways to provide benefits to those that have experienced various types and levels of grief.
Chris Bohjalian
Everyone grieves at some point in their lives. Being a part of helping someone through their grief is not as common. This is why I am grateful for the role I can play with the DDJF foundation in assisting individuals and society as a whole to deal with grief in a productive and empowering way.
Caroline Baumis
I joined DDJF because I know the impact grief has on adults and youth, especially in today's world. I believe in programs such as DDJF because they bring the importance of music therapy and providing youth with the tools are resources that they might not have access to.
I have my Master's in Social Work, have over 20 years working in the nonprofit sector and I currently work for Alzheimer's Association as Program Manager and run the day to day operations of my own charity, Camp TLC (Together Living a Challenge).
I have my Master's in Social Work, have over 20 years working in the nonprofit sector and I currently work for Alzheimer's Association as Program Manager and run the day to day operations of my own charity, Camp TLC (Together Living a Challenge).
Oksana Lukash
details coming soon!