On Wed., Mar. 5, four days before his 41st birthday, Ghiles Jackson of East New York, Brooklyn, received momentous news.
The Afterschool Alliance announced that Jackson, program director at After School All Stars at Excel Upper Charter in Canarsie, has been named a 2025 Afterschool Ambassador, an honor that is awarded to only 15 leaders nationwide each year.
“It means the world to me to be honored with this opportunity,” Jackson told the Amsterdam News. “When you think about this work and how vital it is to youth development, it brings me so much joy that I will be a voice for my community and NYC as a whole.”
Jackson has a comprehensive background in youth development, having started his career at a sleep-away summer camp after completing an associate degree from Sullivan Community College. As a sports enthusiast and avid weightlifter, he secured a position as a basketball specialist. His experience as former point guard for the varsity team at Bishop Loughlin and his admiration for Steph Curry and the late Kobe Bryant led him to join the New York City Department of Education (DOE) as a school aide.
Jackson was later nominated as a crisis paraprofessional, providing one-on-one instructional and emotional support for students with special needs. He advanced to the role of dean of culture, climate, and equity. Jackson then served as a program counselor in juvenile detention. After six years with the city, he opted to return to his passion for community work and youth development.
“My favorite part of the job is advocating for the youth and bringing joyful moments to them,” Jackson said. “You gain a different appreciation for the work when you can impact the youth, the families, and the overall community … ensuring that our children get different opportunities and experiences. My least favorite part of the job is that it’s not enough time to do all that I would like to do.”
The Afterschool Ambassadors program recognizes and empowers individuals who contribute significantly to after-school and summer learning programs. Its leaders continue the work with local afterschool programs while serving as Afterschool Ambassadors for a year, when they engage with community leaders and policymakers, organize events, and advocate for increased support for afterschool initiatives, which are vital for the development and well-being of students and families.
“I am a religious and spiritual person,” Jackson said. “I do believe that this is God’s work, and He is guiding me to doing the right thing in our community.”
Jackson’s role at After School All Stars showcases his dedication to fostering the development of 160 scholars. The program emphasizes safety and robust community engagement, offering enrichment activities aimed at promoting both personal and academic growth. Initiatives include social-emotional learning to enhance students’ emotional intelligence and resilience, along with multiple extracurricular activities, such as basketball, cheerleading, flag football, and soccer teams. The program also provides healthy snacks and cultivates community partnerships to create a comprehensive and supportive environment.
After School All Stars also features a Youth Advisory Board that empowers students to contribute to program design and enhances their sense of community and ownership.
“My plan for the future is to have my own program that will focus on youth development,” Jackson said. “I would like to have a program that focuses on trades, welding, carpentry, drilling, plumbing, but also has sports and enrichment activities, as well as therapy for young people and their families.”