A Beacon of Hope and Empowerment
BY MATTHEW MARSHALL
PHOTOS BY CARI GRIFFITH
In the vibrant tapestry of the Jackson community, few threads shine as brightly as the one woven by Wendy Trice Martin. As a stalwart advocate for equal justice and cultural awareness, Wendy has dedicated her life to fostering unity and empowerment in the Jackson community. She has been a master storyteller, a devoted educator, a community convenor, and a mother to so many. And through her tireless work, she has helped our community witness significant changes, while inspiring countless others.
A Lifelong Commitment to Community Service
You know, there is not a time that I can recall when I didn’t know Wendy. Having grown up here and attended school primarily in East Jackson, Wendy was ever-present. She was leading Black History programs, summer enrichment opportunities, and organizing community events. Her son, Jonathan, and I were just a couple of years apart and played on a couple of sports teams together. She was a friend of our family, and so incredibly well respected by everyone.
I have heard her talk about how her own lifelong commitment to community service was inspired by the values instilled in her by her mother and aunt. The former allowed her to start a high school sorority in their home for her friends and set a future example by working in the community to educate adults. The latter served as a teacher, as a member of the state teacher association and then as one of the city’s recreation and parks directors. I wonder if either of them was aware of the seeds they were planting.
Following in their footsteps, Wendy also embarked on a path that would also see her positively influencing the lives of young people. Her tenure in the Jackson-Madison County School System spanned an incredible 34 years, during which she implemented those same Black History programs and youth enrichment initiatives I remember from my youth. She was teaching us to love ourselves and inspiring us to accomplish more than we might have thought possible. And if you ask anyone, they’ll tell you that Wendy is still just as active and still thinking about the next generation and the world they will inherit.
Championing Representation and Cultural Awareness
I believe this is why she has always been so dedicated to the passing down of the African-American story here in Jackson. In her role as the President of the Society of African American Cultural Awareness (SAACA), Wendy has been at the forefront of so many initiatives aimed at highlighting Black excellence and representation. From organizing the vibrant African Street Festival, which is over 33 years strong, to commemorating Juneteenth through the annual Freedom Day celebration, helping organize the Annual Miss Juneteenth Pageant, and advocating for the public recognition of the Godfather of Rap, Jackson’s own Gil Scott-Heron. Her efforts have been instrumental in creating platforms where the community can come together to celebrate our rich heritage and learn about our history, while also encouraging us to make history ourselves.
Under her leadership, SAACA has also been involved in various other significant events, including the official celebration of Black History Month at Jackson’s City Hall, where Wendy participated as a speaker among special performances including the Lane College Choir, the Children’s Theatre Company and the Hub City Mass Choir. She also worked with groups like the NAACP and the Jackson Equity Project to organize voting marches and community forums, all while still being an incredibly active member at her church, the Historic First Baptist Church.
A Voice for Equity and Justice
You see, Wendy's advocacy, deeply rooted in her unwavering faith, extends far beyond mere cultural celebrations to encompass a broader spectrum of social justice and equity. In a world where the clamor for equity and equality reverberates with increasing urgency, Wendy has emerged as a vocal and steadfast advocate for equal rights, fair housing, and equal opportunities in education and employment.
In her numerous public engagements, Wendy has never shied away from addressing the pressing issues that plague society. She has consistently used her platform to highlight the systemic inequalities that persist and to call for a united front to combat these issues. Her poignant observations during community gatherings are not just a reflection of the current state of affairs but a clarion call for collective action. And while she has worked uniquely in the Black community, she has continued to emphasize the ongoing need for unity, understanding, and open dialogue, across ethnic lines, as vital tools in fostering a community that stands united in its fight against inequality.
Wendy believes in the transformative power of honest conversation, a space where individuals can come together to share their experiences, learn from one another, and forge a path of understanding and empathy. Moreover, Wendy is a firm believer in the power of education as a tool for change. Through her initiatives, she has sought to create avenues where individuals, especially the youth, can access quality education, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to be active participants in the journey towards a more just and equitable society.
What’s more is that as Wendy has sought to lift up icons of our community to inspire the next generation, she herself has become an icon. She is a beacon of hope, a lighthouse in the midst of the storm standing tall and showing the way. Through her relentless efforts, she is ushering in a new era where justice is not just a concept, but a lived reality for all; an era where the community moves forward hand in hand, united in their pursuit of a brighter, more inclusive future.
Recognition and Future Endeavors
So, it’s only right that she’s being recognized as a “Change Maker.” And this designation joins a long list of other accolades that Wendy has received over the years, including the recent honor of being named one of the "2023 Influential Women of Jackson." But if you were to ask her, she would tell you that she doesn’t do it for the prizes, nor the awards. It’s certainly not been for the money either! Rather, it’s been for the opportunity to stimulate change. For the inspiration that she has shaped in individuals like me, who have been watching her for the past 40 years and are now the recipients of a tradition that began with her mother and aunt.
Wendy Trice Martin stands as a pillar in the Jackson community, her efforts echoing the sentiments of unity, representation, and empowerment. Through her various initiatives and involvements, she has woven a narrative of hope and positive impact, encouraging others to join her in building a community that celebrates diversity and promotes equity. As we look forward to more milestones in her journey, one thing is certain: Wendy’s legacy will be one of inspiration, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the betterment of her community, our Jackson home.
CARI GRIFFITH is a gardener and a photographer with a lifelong affection for seed sowing and storytelling. She lives a very sweet life in midtown with her husband Rob. She spends most of her time behind a computer or a camera, and her most treasured moments are eating dinner with her friends both near and far.
MATT MARSHALL serves as President/CEO of the United Way of West Tennessee. He was formerly Executive Director and Head of School at Hands Up! Preschool. Before that, he spent eight years in Higher Education at his alma mater, Union University. He’s the Co-founder of the Jackson-Madison County Equity Project; Past-Chair of the United Ways of Tennessee State Association; and Past-Chair of the Anti-Poverty Task Force for the City of Jackson. He is a 5th generation Jacksonian, but when not serving in the community, he enjoys spending time with his wife, children, and extended family.
