Leadership Highlight

Leadership Highlight: Carlos Jackson the President of Phi Beta Sigma at the University of Oklahoma

In an effort to highlight the young leaders who are leading undergraduate chapters across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.’s Xi Delta Chapter at the University of Oklahoma and did an interview with Carlos Jackson the president of the chapter.

The position of president of an undergraduate chapter of a Black fraternity is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes. 20-year-old Carlos Jackson has used the position to gain new leadership experience, improve the lives of other students on campus and help the community around him.

We interviewed the Human Relations major and talked about his position, goals, future and what it means to hold a leadership position on campus in the digital age.

Read the full interview below.

What does it mean to be a chapter president to you?
To me, being chapter president means guiding your chapter in the right direction. It means standing true to the core values set in place by your founders and being that role model for all the members in the chapter.

What made you decide to attend the University of Oklahoma for undergrad?
As a product of one of the worst education systems in the country I chose OU because it was a D1 school and it was said to be out of reach for students of my high school. I decided to show the students at my school that our current situation doesn’t define us but rather strengthen us into individuals of immeasurable resilience.

What specific initiatives is your chapter heading up this year and how do you think they will improve the campus/surrounding community?
We have improved our homeless initiative not only are we doing a clothes and food drive, but we have started to volunteer at our local homeless shelter and teach others about the devastating effects of homelessness

What made you want to pledge Phi Beta Sigma?
What made me want to pledge Phi Beta Sigma was the closeness of the brothers as well as being a member of the Sigma Beta club. I’ve watched my fraternity since I was young be proactive, open, and honest. These qualities stood out to me above all else.

What is it about your specific chapter that makes it so unique?
The Xi- Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated was a group of well put together men whose explosiveness in terms of community service, academic prowess as well as performing and being socially involved was what lured me to this chapter specifically.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think undergraduate chapters across all orgs need to do to represent themselves online in 2019?
By maintaining a positive image and highlighting your chapters social action as well as being attractive enough to bring in new members that will contribute to your organizations principles and values.

What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership to mean means standing with your followers and fighting for what you all believe in. leadership is not only having the vision but also being able to put in the work to make that vision a reality.

Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black greekdom?
Watch The Yard highlights so many awesome things that take place in black greekdom as well as black campus life in general. Watch the Yard shines a light on the underrepresented culture of black students and gives us a sense of belonging in our college experience no matter if we go to a PWI or an HBCU.

What does brotherhood mean to you?
To me brotherhood/sisterhood means that no matter what differences you have that at the end of the day you will have my back. I have 11 siblings and no matter how they upset me I will do everything in my power to see them succeed. You don’t always have to agree but love is mandatory.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?
After graduation I will be starting an internship with the Oklahoma legislature. I will be looking to start a career in public policy so that I may have a hand in education and prison reform.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Carlos Jackson for his work as the president of Xi Delta Chapter which has a long legacy that spans back to 1982.