The list of Hal's honors and awards is long. Among them are being honored by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his fund raising efforts; President Harry S. Truman, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and President John F. Kennedy, Jr. In 1989 Hal Jackson's 50 Years of Broadcasting and his major contributions to youth and charitable causes was acknowledged by Honorable Mervyn M. Dymally of California on the floor of the House of Representatives which has become a part of the
Congressional Record. There are two honors that he truly cherishes, in the spring of 1990, Mr. Jackson was honored with being the first Black (or minority) inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and in October of 1995 he was the first Black inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. In November of 1999 Mr. Jackson celebrated 60 years of Broadcasting Leadership with a star-studded event at the Rainbow Room in New York. In 2001 Mr. Jackson was inducted in the Broadcast and Cable Hall of Fame. Hal Jackson is the creator of the idea to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday. Because of Hal’s access to the airwaves, he was instrumental in stimulating the initial movement for the 6.5 million signatures solicited on petitions and letters submitted to Representatives John Conyers and Shirley Chisholm on behalf of creating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a national holiday.
This gentle and charitable man has lived a life devoted to sharing his gifts with his fellow man and woman and has always found time to help those less fortunate. It is all depicted in his autobiography “The House That Jack Built” on stands now. Perhaps his career and lifestyle can be summarized by the theme he has chosen for his radio programs -- "It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice."
Q&A With Hal Jackson
Name: Hal Jackson
1. What were some of the most memorable moment in your career?
When I was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago back in 1995. I was the first Black inducted along with Herb Kent.
2. Who was the worst person you ever interviewed and why?
N/A.
3. If you could recommend one book for someone to read what would it be
and why?
My autobiography “The House that Jack Built” because it gives a full story of how discrimination was at in it’s height in America and it also tells the story of how I overcame it and now have been recognized by Presidents of the U.S.
4. What was your first job you ever had?
Shining Shoes in Charleston, SC.
5. What is your all time favorite songs?
We may not have a cent to pay the rent but “We’re Gonna Make It” by Little Milton.
6. If you had to change your career, what else would you want to do?
I wouldn’t want to change my career. I’ve done a lot of things but none compare to the opening the microphone and talking to people.
7. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not at work?
Watching CNN, MSNBC and reading newspapers.
8. If you could eat one thing all the time what would it be?
Fish – any kind, anywhere.
9. Who is one person that reminds you of what you do not WANT to be in life?
N/A
10. What is one thing you want people to know about you?
That I was the one who initiated the idea of having Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday as a national holiday which was turned down by Congress and then restarted by Stevie Wonder.
11. Who helped shape your life to the person you are today?
Things my mother and father taught me before they died and I have lived by them.
12. Birthday? Sign?
11/03 Scorpio
13. If you could do one thing over in life what would it be?
I would have tried to open more doors for people to get jobs.
14. What makes you the most happy?
Spending time with my wife and not having any pressures placed on me.
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