• Prospect Park Minneapolis Slideshow

ppa Jackson Family Project

Key actions:

  • LISTEN to members and groups in our community from whom we are disconnected.
  • LEARN what issues matter to them.
  • ASK if our community organization can give them meaningful support.
  • TRANSFORM how we do community work so these new relationships endure.

If you want to be involved, have some new ideas or want to learn more please contact us.

Committee Members:

Jerry Stein - co-chair
Susan Larson-Fleming - co-chair

Annual community Event

What: "Marvel Jackson Cooke, A Life in Journalism: Gathering & Discussion"
When: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Where: Prospect Park United Methodist Church, 22 SE Orlin Avenue

This year's Jackson Family Project community event will feature the inspiring journalism of Marvel Jackson Cooke, eldest of the three Jackson daughters raised in Prospect Park. Marvel was the first African American student to attend Pratt school and became a pioneering journalist and activist. Cooke's writing made her a star in mainstream media. She won recognition for her undercover reporting in her article “The Bronx Slave Market,” where she exposed the horrible working conditions of New York City domestic workers. Flyer.

The Jackson Family Project is a partnership of Jackson family members, Prospect Park Association, Pratt PTO, and Pratt school faculty. The project is funded by the University of Minnesota Good Neighbor Fund, City of Minneapolis Neighborhood Community Relations, Prospect Park Association, Prospect Park Co-op Legacy Fund, and Pratt PTO.

 

monthly meetings

Watch the PPA calendar for information about our next meeting

CUrrent Projects

Projects that have developed out of this approach so far:

  1. Jackson Family project - plan event to recognize the Jackson family and highlight racial injustice issues that happened when they moved into the neighborhood in the 1900’s, as well as key ways the family responded over time.

  2. Raise funds to create Jackson Family Playground at Pratt School with new playground equipment (completed September, 2025).

  3. Create website www.JacksonFamilyProject.org.