In an inspiring Instagram post, Jade DeMelody Jackson, journalist “ Indianapolis Starrevealed her exciting new chapter in life, returning to higher education this fall as an official MBA candidate at Jarvis Christian University. But this milestone is about more than just academic advancement; is a deeply personal journey for Jackson, whose great-grandfather, Thomas Buchanan Frost, co-founded the institution she now attends.

“I am officially an MBA candidate at Jarvis Christian University this fall. “It’s like going back to school for me at the same HBCU that my great-grandfather founded in 1912,” Jackson proudly shared with her followers.

Jarvis Christian University, originally named Jarvis Christian Institute, holds a significant place in the history of Black education. According to Thanks to them we canthe university was founded in cooperation with the Negro Disciples of Christ, drawing inspiration from the Southern Christian Institute in Mississippi.

Its establishment was led by Mrs. Mary Alphin, whose fundraising efforts through the Christian Mission Board made the dream of a school for black youth a reality. In January 1913, the doors opened to twelve students, and Jackson’s great-grandfather, Thomas Buchanan Frost, and Charles Albert Berry became the school’s first superintendents and principals.

What began as a small elementary school in Hawkins, Texas, has evolved into a historically black university known for its commitment to scholarship, service and Christian ethics. The legacy of Thomas Buchanan Frost remains woven into the fabric of the university, both through its history and through the Jackson family, which established the Frost-Briggs Legacy Fund last year. The fund provides scholarships to Jarvis undergraduate students, further supporting the institution Frost helped build.

Now Jackson finds herself back on campus, but this time as a student, adding another layer to her family’s deep legacy. “It is truly an honor to be able to continue my family’s legacy of excellence in the same place that we have worked to develop for generations. “It is both humbling and inspiring to be a student here,” Jackson said.

Her return to Jarvis is not just about pursuing higher education; it’s about continuing the work her family started over a century ago. In the classroom, he charts a path toward his own career goals while honoring the legacy that built the foundation of the institution. Jackson’s journey is a testament to the impact one family can have on an entire community and is a reminder of the power of education to shape the future.

With her focus on the future, Jade DeMelody Jackson is a symbol of what it means to honor the past in the pursuit of excellence. Jarvis Christian University, which has long been a beacon of hope and education for its students, now welcomes back to its ranks a descendant of one of its founders, continuing a legacy of growth, learning and service.