Terri Jackson facts for kids

Terri Carmichael Jackson is a very important leader in women's basketball. She is the executive director of the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). This group works to support and represent all the players in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

Terri Jackson: A Champion for WNBA Players

Terri Jackson has dedicated her career to making things better for athletes. She uses her legal knowledge and leadership skills to help WNBA players get fair treatment and good benefits.

Her Path to Sports Leadership

Terri Jackson studied law at Georgetown University. She wanted to follow in her father's footsteps, who was also a lawyer. After college, she started a non-profit group called Back on the Block Foundation in New Orleans. This group helped people in the community.

Later, she taught law at Tulane University and worked at a law firm. She also worked as a legal advisor for sports programs at the University of the District of Columbia. Before joining the WNBPA, she spent four years at the NCAA. The NCAA is a big organization that oversees college sports. There, she worked on rules and policies for athletes.

In 2016, Terri Jackson joined the WNBPA. She first worked as the director of operations. Soon after, she became the executive director, leading the entire organization.

Making a Difference for Players

As the leader of the WNBPA, Terri Jackson has made big changes for WNBA players. For the first time ever, the players' union decided to change their agreement with the WNBA. This agreement is called a "collective bargaining agreement." It sets the rules for player salaries, benefits, and working conditions.

Through her strong leadership, Terri Jackson helped players get higher pay. She also worked to get better benefits for players who become mothers. This means players can have families and still continue their careers.

Terri Jackson also stood up for players' rights to express themselves. When some WNBA players wore t-shirts supporting Black Lives Matter, they were fined. Terri Jackson protested these fines, arguing that players should be able to share their views.

In 2020, a famous sports magazine, Sports Illustrated, recognized Terri Jackson. They featured her in a special section called "The Unrelenting," which highlighted powerful women in sports. In 2021, the WNBPA also started a partnership with PepsiCo. This partnership helps fund good causes and charities that the players care about.

Her Family Life

Terri Jackson is married to Jaren Jackson, who was also a basketball player. They met when they were both students at Georgetown University. They have a son named Jaren Jackson Jr., who was born in 1999. Their son has also become a professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).