by Simone Thomas, Ed.D | photo by Joan Allison
Could I dare to be who I believe God made me to be? Could I actually live courageously as myself in the world, and then do it creatively? —Floridia Jackson
Faith, family, and freedom drive Floridia Jackson. Raised here in Memphis by both of her parents, she proudly proclaims that her wife, younger brother, and 79-year-old father—who is also one of her closest friends—give her “life”.
Floridia is an ordained minister who’s been preaching since she was five years old. She confesses that her road to freedom has been an ongoing journey to self-acceptance. “I am certain that I am homo-emotional. I am certain that I am homo-spiritual. I am certain that I am homo-social.” For her, the journey hasn’t been social or sexual, but Spiritual.
“Could I dare to be who I believe God made me to be?,” she said. “Could I actually live courageously as myself in the world, and then do it creatively?”
Her work reflects the courage and creativity to which she aspires. As a community pastor, Floridia’s ministry appears to extend to everyone with whom she comes in contact. And she isn’t waiting for anyone’s permission, saying “I’m trying to live in freedom.”
On June 26, 2015, Floridia was among a group of mourners gathered at OUTMemphis to watch the funeral of Clemente Pinckney, the pastor killed in the Charleston church shooting. News of the Supreme Court’s decision on Marriage Equality forced the group to celebrate in the midst of their sadness.
She performed her first two wedding ceremonies that day and has since officiated over 20 same-gender weddings for couples across Middle and West Tennessee and in Crittenden County, Ark.
Floridia and her wife Treace didn’t bother to wait for the Supreme Court. They were married here in Memphis in 2010 “as an act of civil disobedience.” Floridia proclaims that her wife is the best thing to ever happen to her, and reminds us that there was also a time when marriage between enslaved people was not legally sanctioned in America. The two decided to marry not only because they loved and cared for one another, but as a form of active protest.
Her stance against oppression is a common thread connecting Floridia’s work. In her role as Director of Memphis School of Servant Leadership (MSSL), she is working to ensure that MSSL’s language conveys the inclusiveness they embrace. “One of my dearest friends is a Muslim woman…When I get to heaven, she is going to let me in,” Jackson says.
MSSL strives to equip servant leaders “for the church and for the world.” The focus in on learning and growing together, and leading from a place of vulnerability.
Floridia knows that serving is an action verb. She sits on the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB)—appointed by the mayor to investigate police misconduct—and supports community members as part of Clergy Responding with You in Love: Outrage for Unity and Diversity (CRY LOUD). She is also a local organizer for Campaign Nonviolence, an annual series of events aimed at promoting peace across the country.
Her goal is not to be busy, but to be remain “active, available, and accessible.” This is her ministry, she says. “God’s name is on my life.”
