Jackson Free Press

Febuary 1, 2006

There's no way you'd take your first look at Martha Jenkins and think, "This woman is 41 years old and has three children, ages 9, 8 and 6." No way. And while all of that is true, it's not the whole picture.
Besides being a volunteer at the two schools her children attend, Woodville Heights and Timberlawn Elementary Schools, Jenkins counts herself a spoken-word artist, the coordinator of Jackson's Community Kwanzaa Coalition and a "locktician." "I only deal with locks, twists and natural hair, no chemicals," she explained.

To Jenkins, community is important but something we tend to take for granted. "We need to be in a mode of appreciation for every aspect of life," she told me. As coordinator of Jackson's Community Kwanzaa Coalition, Jenkins gets plenty of chances to appreciate life, way beyond the celebration between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. "Kwanzaa has a communitarian character," Jenkins explained, going on. "If someone brings up a need, a cause, an effort or a celebration, we get involved."

Made up of roughly nine different organizations, the Coalition is made up of people who have already worked together for years and who are constantly growing as well. Three new groups—The Mothers and Daughters of Sankofa, the Jackson Advocate, and the Jackson Police Department—joined the Coalition during the 2005 Celebration. Jenkins believes people should lend a hand. When you support people, you help not to say that you did, but to be useful. "I becomes we, and we is so much better than I," Jenkins said.

Jenkins grew up in Winston County. After graduating from Louisville High School, she studied cosmetology at what was then known as East Central Junior College. She's lived in California and came to Jackson from Cleveland, Ohio. Jenkins likes what she sees in Jackson. "We've got a long way to go, but Jackson has all the elements needed for anything to be a success, especially if it has value and worth. If it has, then Jackson is a city that can handle just about anything," she said.

Jenkins straightens out those who ask what she's doing in such a small place. "It's only small in the mind if you let it be. In the two years that I've been here, I've seen it grow. I remember when there was no poetry. Now I remember one time when there were three poetry events going on at once." She is thrilled by the growing community support in Jackson.

"It's just right. I love it," she told me, her voice firm and enthusiastic.

Previous Comments

ID

82419

Comment

"I becomes we and we is so much better than I."--- That is to me the line thus far of 2006. Martha Jenkins is such a powerful, quiet storm. I am glad to say I count her a friend. A real one. You would never know all that she has to contend with, and still never lets it get her down or stop her from pursuing the things that are important to her. She didn't mention that she was a producer with the PEG Network on June Hardwick's show, The Villiage Drum... and her poem "Without Sanctuary" was without a doubt one of the most powerful pieces of prose that came out of Jackson in 2004. My hat goes off to Martha Jenkins. She deserves all the recognition and honor that the city of Jackson can bestow upon her. And we are better people because of her!

Author

c a webb

Date

2006-02-01T21:38:38-06:00

ID

82420

Comment

This is so cool. Martha's done my hair a few times when I used to wear comb coils. I ask her questions from time to time about my locs, which I started growing in June 2004. She'll probably see me again when I don't feel like tightening them myself. I'll be sending her an email about this! Girl, why didn't you tell me? :-)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-02-01T23:20:30-06:00