Jackson Free Press

Bio

Albert Earl Wilson was born in the Capitol City of Jackson, Mississippi, Ward 3. He received his early education in the Jackson Public School Distrcit, where he graduated from Wingfield High School. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree in education from the Mississippi College in Clinton, MS.

Mr. Wilson dedicates much of his time and expertise in helping economically depressed children and families. On May 6, 1992, he founded the Genesis and Light Center ("G&L") which offers tutoring, counseling, educational assistance, arts and crafts, drama and dance and extracurricular/enrichment activities to low income children and families living in the Ward 3 area.

Mr. Wilson long dreamed of growing up in the poverty-stricken Georgetown community. His personal commitment to break the cycle of poverty, violence, and helplessness, marks every aspect of his project. Through his center, Mr. Wilson has developed self-help programs that focus on strengthening students, families, and the community emotionally, financially, physically, intellectually and spiritually. His project promotes education, values, positive attitudes and high levels of self-esteem, and encourages participants to avoid alcohol, drugs, crime, and other at-risk behaviors. In addition to creating services that are normally non-accessable, unaffordable, or simply don't exist, Mr. Wilson has also devoted countless hours linking individuals to agencies they are in need of.

Mr. Wilson continuously gives back to the community by serving as a motivational speaker and mentor at churches, local schools, and a positive role model to inner-city children.

His professional attributes include more than 13 years of experience in the fields of technology, social service and community development. Before choosing to follow his passion of becoming full-time executive director of Genesis and Light Center in 2002, Mr. Wilson worked in the corporate world as a computer programming analyst for companies including MCI Worldcom and Fermi Laboratories. Mr. Wilson also taught high school Geometry for one year at Murrah High School in Jackson, MS.

Mr. Wilson is a playwright, director, producer, and actor. He has written and directed five succesful stage plays which have depicted real life issues facing our communities including teen-aged pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, gangs and crime, and neglect and abuse while relating positive conflict resolution skills and life lessons.

Mr. Wilson serves on the JPS 21st Century Advisory Board. He is a member of True Vine Christian Ministries where he serves as deacon, Sunday School Director, and finance officer.

Mr. Wilson is married to Kim Mosby Wilson and they have three children, Bryson, Victoria, and Brittney. He is the son of Mr. Howard Wilson and Mrs. Mildred Wilson (deceased).