At Ascendus, we believe that the strength of our mission is found in the lived experiences of our team. As part of our internal reflections, we sat down with Skylar Jackson, Senior Development Officer and President of the Culture Committee, for a relaxed, personal conversation.

In this exchange, Skylar shares how her personal history and the legacy of Black History Month inform her leadership and her vision for our organizational culture. By centering personal perspective over formal rhetoric, Skylar reminds us that history is something we carry with us, and something we build together every day.

Q: How do you describe your personal story, and what does Black history mean to you?

Skylar: “I definitely can say that I am a product of—and stand on—the shoulders of my ancestors and those who came before me. Out of my family, I would say I’m in a place that most of them might not have imagined I would be. My family is from a low income area in Alabama. There was a time my grandma cleaned houses and banks, and there was a time she worked at a meat packaging company. So, from that generation to now, being in a field where there aren’t a lot of Black people is humbling.”

Q: Is there a family story, memory, or person that shaped how you see yourself today?

Skylar: “My grandmother… she was not a ‘pep talk’ kind of lady. She was very quiet, and in that quietness, she was very strong. If anything, she taught me through her life that with God, all things are possible. She made a life for herself that, even though it wasn’t flashy, it was beautiful. She gave me a strength I didn’t really understand until I was older and she had passed. Her silence and her strength are grounding and comforting.”

Q: What part of your story do you wish more people understood?

Skylar: “I feel like I’ve made my family really proud to have come so far, taking advantage of opportunities and not being afraid to step into rooms where I may be the only one, or one of only two or three. When it comes to my story and my history, I hope that I make the people who came before me proud, and I hope I can be a bridge for those who come after me—both personally and professionally.”

Q: How does your background or lived experience influence how you show up at Ascendus?

Skylar: “I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors. I’ve learned the beauty in the stillness and the necessity of quiet and reflection. It’s humbling to be in a field where there aren’t a lot of Black people, but I am not afraid to step into those rooms.”

Q: Is there a realization from your history that impacts how you see the world—and our work—today?

Skylar: “I was talking to my mom the other day about voting rights. She was born in the early 60s and she wasn’t born with the right to vote. Neither was my grandmother. My sister and I looked at each other and realized we’re the first generation in our family to be born with the right to vote. It makes me realize I am in a place my family might not have imagined.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone from your community starting their career now?

Skylar: “Identify your dream and follow your dream. I hope I can be a bridge for those who come after me.”

Recommended by Skylar to further explore the voices and stories driving the culture today:

• The Read: A weekly podcast looking at pop culture and mental health.
• Abbott Elementary: A brilliant comedy written by and starring Quinta Brunson.
• Judas and the Black Messiah: A powerful biographical drama.
• A Different World: A classic 90s show about the college experience.
• The Harder They Fall: A fresh take on the Western genre.
• Sinners & Get Out: Compelling films exploring deep cultural themes.

Skylar’s leadership and openness add a vital layer to our team’s culture. We truly appreciate her perspective, which adds depth to how we understand each other as colleagues and as a team.