Program Administrator, Restorative Pathways
Shaheedah Jackson is an entrepreneur and owner of Good Portions Italian Ices, exemplifying resilience and adaptability. Despite facing significant early life challenges, including time in foster and kinship placements across North Carolina and Florida, she has persevered. Becoming a mother at a young age and experiencing justice system involvement at 15, Shaheedah served a 16 year 8 month sentence in North Carolina prisons. Throughout, she maintained an outward appearance of well-being, symbolized by her ever-present smile, even as she battled a brain tumor post-incarceration.
Her educational journey began at High Point University and continued at Warren Wilson College, where she developed her advocacy mindset and passion for social justice. Professionally, she built Good Portions Italian Ices into a successful business, creating jobs and fostering community engagement. Her business acumen and personal experiences offer a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, especially in reentry programs.
Shaheedah’s involvement with City Startup Labs (CSL) highlights her commitment to uplifting others. As a graduate of the REEP (Reentry Entrepreneurship Program) at CSL, she gained insights and skills that have propelled her business forward. Her journey underscores the importance of entrepreneurship and technical training for justice-impacted individuals, focusing on career-building rather than just securing jobs.
Shaheedah’s story and contributions complement the strengths of the CSL team, showcasing her capabilities and tenacity. Her experiences inspire empathy and a compelling desire to support CSL’s mission. Through her work and advocacy, Shaheedah continues to impact her family, local community, and beyond, raising awareness about the potential of justice-impacted individuals.
