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Santita Jackson is an American singer and political commentator from Chicago, Illinois. As a singer, Jackson toured with Roberta Flack and performed the National Anthem at President Clinton's Second Inauguration. She now appears regularly on the Fox News Channel and is the host of a television show on The Word Network.

=Early Life and Education=

Jackson was born in Greensboro, South Carolina in 1963 and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She is the oldest daughter of Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson and civil rights leader Rev.Jesse Jackson. Her younger siblings are Jesse Jackson, Jr., Jonathan Jackson (activist),Yusef, Jacqueline and Ashley.

Jackson attended Whitney Young High School in Chicago, where she was a National Merit Scholar. While interviewing for college, Jackson was criticized by two Harvard alumni for her father’s political views. Though ultimately accepted to Harvard, she said of the school, “I didn’t feel it was the proper environment after that interview.” Jackson subsequently attended Howard University on a full merit scholarship. Following her time at Howard, Jackson worked as an aide to Illinois congressman Gus Savage.

=Musical Career=

Shortly after college, Jackson moved to New York to pursue a career in music. She spent over five years touring as a backup singer for Roberta Flack, and later performed with the Opera Ebony company.

In 1996, Jackson was asked by the family of Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown to perform at his funeral alongside Wynston Marsalis and the Howard University Chorale. The following year, Jackson performed the National Anthem at Bill Clinton’s second Presidential Inauguration.

In 2009, Jackson released her first recording project, “Put Your Arms Around the World,” a collaboration with songwriter Janice Kapp Perry, vocalist Chris Willis, and Utah Senator Orrin Hatch.

=Political Commentary=

Television and Radio
In April 2012, Jackson began working as a political commentator on the Fox News Channel. Jackson also hosts her own television show on The Word Network. Earlier, Jackson produced “Upfront with Jesse Jackson” on The Word Network.

Jackson is the writer, co-host, and executive producer of the nationally syndicated radio show “Keep Hope Alive with Rev. Jesse Jackson.” She previously hosted “The Santita Jackson Show” on Chicago’s WVON1690 AM.

Other Media
Jackson is a founding contributor at theGriot, an MSNBC website dedicated to African American news and opinion.

=References=