Sadly the only biographical information found so far about the prolific cartoonist & illustrator Jay Jackson comes from an obituary article about his life. This, more than anything else has been the driving force behind my creating this salute to Pioneering Cartoonists of Color-- so much of what they have created goes unappreciated by the community they served, which makes it all the more easier for the 'mainstream' to deny their very existence. Leaving generations of young aspiring cartoonists (myself included back when) to falsely believe there are no Black role models cartoonists to look to.
A native of Oberlin, OH, Jay Paul Jackson
(again, no relation!) is described as a quiet, easy-going sort of
person who had a special zest for living. Among some of his better known
cartoons creations were: "As
Others See Us" from the 1920s, "Tisha Mingo" (which
I haven't yet encountered), "Professor Doodle," the full
page "Home Folks,"
& "Girligags."
The earliest national distribution of Mr. Jackson's work was through
his association with the Robert S. Abbott publishing company in Chicago.
He joined the staff of the Chicago Defender in 1933 where he worked
as editorial & features cartoonist for 20 years until his death at the
age of 49. During his career, he developed illustrations & humorous
art for several other Black press 
publications, The Warner
Brothers theater in Chicago & a number of advertising agencies. There
can be found in nearly every publication before the 50s as many ads (usually
Murray Pomade products or the like) as there are comics. At the time of
his death, Mr. Jackson was feature artist for Telecomics & had
begun designing art for the television story "The Search for Christ."
Jay Jackson also dabbled with exceptional skill in fashion illustrations, layouts, catalog designs & participated in the creation of several murals in oil during a 1940s sojourn in Mexico.
Recipient of two "Front Page" Awards from the American Newspaper Guild & a citation from the US government for his cartoons & posters during the WW2 bond drive. Some of his work was distributed by the Office of War Information. He was montage artist for Who's Who in Colored America & Who's Who in the United Nations.
Actually twice married, Jay Jackson's first wife Adeline
Smith passed away in 1925, but not before presenting him with his only child,
Carrie Lou (Jackson) Travillion. Mr. Jackson remarries years later following
his offer of a position at the Chicago Defender, to the circulation department's
secretary, Eleanor K. Poston.
Jay Jackson counts this meeting as
he most fortunate incident of his career. Although at their first meeting
he considered the Nebraska-born Miss Poston to be a 'hayseed,' her wit &
skill as a writer soon won his heart. Several of her short stories were
published in the Defender during the 30s & Jay, the staff artist was
enlisted to illustrate them. After their 
marriage, they
developed a working relationship. Eleanor provided many of the gags &
verses used his multitude of cartoons.
This may explain much about the amazing amount of art discovered, drawn by Jay Jackson, & give more validity to the "behind ever great man" saying. Eleanor Jackson herself became an accomplished cartoonist in her own right after studying art.
Jay Jackson's cartoons were featured in the Chicago Defender,
Michigan Chronicle, Louisville Defender, the Tri-State
Defender & the New York Age Defender.
visit the A
retrospective of Bungleton Green !
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