Former CIAA Champion Hopes To Inspire Others With Spirit of Perseverance

Former Johnson C. Smith forward Earl Jackson recently penned a motivational book based on his experiences pursuing a pro basketball career. (Earl Jackson photo)

Motivational books come a dime a dozen these days. Pretty much every one from the president to the milk man has a motivational book they think can change your life. So what makes Earl Jackson’s motivational book different from any other book gathering dust on a Barnes And Noble (if that store is still around by the time this thing gets published) book shelf?

He’s a six-foot, six-inch Division II center with 2.94 career scoring average that is being paid to play basketball.

The former Johnson C. Smith and current Euroleague basketball player recently published his first book, titled “A Spirit of Perseverance.” The book tells the story of how Jackson pursued his dream of continuing his career after college, despite the fact that scouts weren’t exactly beating down his door.

“Basketball was a dream that I wanted to pursue, and through the help of my support system I was able to pursue it,” Jackson said.

The way Jackson ended up at JCSU was due to perseverance and persistence on the part of he and his mother, Gwendolyn Wright.

Doctors thought an injury would keep him off the basketball court as a senior, but his mother found a doctor to help him rehabilitate in time to play at Crossland High School in Temple Hills, MD. And when it was clear Jackson wasn’t going to get the opportunity to play Division I ball, his mother helped him find his way to Charlotte.

“She called around to different colleges and she set up workouts,” Jackson said. “Landing at Johnson C. Smith just felt the most home to me as a school.”