Jackson Free Press

Since she became the interim executive director of Parents for Public Schools of Greater Jackson, Carolyn Jolivette has indulged herself in her job. "This is the type of job where you have to be invested," she said. Since se took over the post in January, Jolivette has been busy overseeing all activities, programs and fundraising for the organization.

Originally from Lafayette, La., Jolivette moved to Jackson in 1992 and started working on two projects called Positive Innovations and the Southern Initiative. Both had partnerships with Parents for Public Schools, which Jolivette joined in 2005.

Her main goal is to involve the community with Jackson Public Schools. She said teachers and parents cannot help children alone--the community is a big part of their lives as well.

"Children have the same problems everywhere," she said. While visiting a school in Puerto Rico, she noticed how parents were very involved in their children's lives. The little things the parents did especially caught her attention. Parents decorated the bathrooms for the students so the kids would feel special, and teachers were very creative when it came to instruction.

"It's going to take more than parents and teachers to make the students feel special," Jolivette said, however. "The community needs to be involved...You have to have a sense of urgency," she said.
When she moved to Jackson 20 years ago, two things stood out the most to her: how genuine the people are and the number of black-owned businesses. Knowing that Jacksonians are genuine and successful has helped her believe that the children in the district can be taught through parents, teachers and their community.

Jolivette is overseeing many projects with the organization and focusing on the Ask for More Collaborative and Ask for More Arts. Parents for Public Schools of Greater Jackson is hosting its annual Evening of Hope April 21. The theme is "Our Community: A Sense of Place."

When she is not working, Jolivette loves listening to music such as Luther Vandross, Nina Simone and Johnny Mathis. She also loves eating out and hanging out with her family. "Family is very important to me," she said. Jolivette, 60, lives in a diverse neighborhood in northeast Jackson. She is the mother of three children, and has five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.