Who’s Who Publishing Company, the nation’s largest annual directory publisher focusing on the African-American market, enthusiastically announces Janet E. Jackson, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Central Ohio, as the foreword writer for the ninth edition of Who’s Who In Black Columbus®.

Jackson’s goal is to help people achieve the building blocks of a good life: a quality education that leads to a productive career, income that can support a family through retirement, good health and a safe place to live. She is a well-known advocate for diversity and inclusion, who has broken barriers by becoming the first woman and African American to head United Way of Central Ohio, the first woman to serve as Columbus city attorney, and the first African American to be elected to that office. She was also the first African-American female judge in Franklin County history.

Prior to joining United Way, Jackson served six years as Columbus city attorney - the city’s chief legal advisor. Before her appointment as city attorney, she served nearly 10 years as a Franklin County Municipal Court judge.

Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Wittenberg University and a law degree from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation, she served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio. During her nearly 10 years with the attorney general’s office, she directed three divisions: Crime Victims’ Compensation, Workers’ Compensation and Civil Rights.

With such a notable career, it is no surprise that Jackson has received numerous honors and awards, including the Woman of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Columbus and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from the Columbus Education Association. She was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2001 and serves as vice chair of the Central Ohio Workforce Investment Board. Jackson has served as a member of the boards of the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence and The Center for Child and Family Advocacy, and serves on the City of Columbus 2012 Bicentennial Planning Commission.

Carter D. Womack, associate publisher for the Who’s Who Columbus market says, “We are very pleased to have the support of Janet E. Jackson. We honor her talent and continued devotion to diversity and community outreach.”

“I am honored to write the foreword to this important book,” said Jackson. “Who’s Who In Black Columbus® provides a great service by recognizing so many engaged members of our African-American community. It is also a great source of information that I refer to regularly.”

Who’s Who Publishing highlights the achievements of African Americans and other minority groups across the country through its brand of Who’s Who directories. These directories are a valuable resource and networking tool for the entire community. Who’s Who Publishing is a subsidiary of Real Times Media, the leading source

of African-American-related news, entertainment and lifestyle information.