Danielle Jackson
Nominated - Game Changer Award

Danielle "The Hoodbrarian" Jackson, is a 36-year-old, mother of one, Camden City native, and Literacy Advocate. Jackson was educated in Camden City School District, graduating from Creative Arts High School in 2007. She volunteered coaching Camden High School's Mighty Marching Panthers Band Majorettes, from 2010-2011 & 2013-2018. She was employed with Aramark at Camden City School District's Food Service department from 2017-2021, as the Finance and Catering clerk. Danielle began her Hoodbrarian initiative in 2019 after library closures throughout her hometown, Camden, NJ. Her once in-person workshops transitioned during COVID-19. She learned with the rest of the world to pivot, 
and held a series of online workshops and book clubs for youth and adults. Once social distancing was normalized, she held weekly Poetry in the Park activities in conjunction with Camden Community Partnership. When the world gained a sense of normalcy, programs resumed in person.

The Hoodbrarian offers free literacy programs, annual events, and resources such as; Storytime with The Hoodbrarian & Friends (ages Pre-K- Grade 5), Raging Readers Read Aloud Book Club (Tweens), Don't Believe The Hype (Teens), LIT-eracy FUN-damentals Tutoring Services, and Prose & Cons Poet's Society. She is the Host & Moderator of Camden's Annual Children's Book Festival in conjunction with PBCIP's Haddon Ave Street Festival. The Hoodbrary awards 5 Book Scholarships each year for Camden City Seniors. The program also hosts 2 adult events annually, Books & Brunch and The Boozy Bee: Adult Spelling Bee, which funds their 5 book scholarships. The Hoodbrary is more than a mobile library, it provides additional support in areas of advocacy, self-confidence, and self-expression through poetry. 

Danielle was appointed a Steering Committee Member of Rutgers University Camden Writers House (2021-Present). She was also the 2022 recipient of the SJ Magazine Women of Excellence: Inspirational Woman of the Year Award. Ms. Jackson is currently the Literacy Manager at Mighty Writers Camden, English Professor at Rowan University's 
CHAMP/GearUp Program, Published Poet, as well as a Camden City School District Advisory Board Member (2022- Present). Danielle made it her personal mission to lead a life of example, for her now 15-year-old son, and the lives of everyone she encounters. She has dedicated her life to nurturing the minds of her community, one pen, one page, one 
chapter, one book at a time!