A Diamond of Hope: The Contagious Spirit of Dr. Cheryl Jackson

I’ve seen the Hope Diamond. The 45 carat gemstone has been handled by Louis XIV and Marie Antionette. It’s been stolen, lost, counterfeited, stashed away, and of course it has birthed haunting legends of epic proportions. Today, the adventures have ceased and the diamond rests in a rotating glass case at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  It was impossible to miss. The crowd alone, gathered and pressing desperately to catch a glimpse, made it clear that there was something special here. Something unique. Something to be admired, cherished, marveled at. I stood and watched it turning, catching light and sending it out around the room like starlight splashing across mesmerized faces. I contemplated its story, its history, and how incredible it felt to be that near it.  

The Hope Diamond is a sad, insignificant, unimpressive hunk of rock in comparison to the diamond that shines in Plano, Texas. Dr. Cheryl “Action” Jackson shines bright like a diamond of hope.

As we first locked eyes I held out my hand, a professional courtesy, a sign of respect, the dignified way to greet a person of her stature.  “I give hugs,” she stated (as if I should have known). It wasn’t until I was in her warm embrace that I realized I needed one.

Dr. Jackson is the living embodiment of contagious compassion. She has the uncanny ability to see need and immediately respond with warmth, generosity, and action. It’s this spirit that has driven her to build Minnie’s Food Pantry into one of the most important community organizations in Collin County, and it’s what has earned her the admiration and respect of everyone she meets…people like actor Jim Parsons, singer Rihanna, and the incomparable Oprah Winfrey, all of whom Dr. Jackson has put to work in feeding the hungry right here in Plano.  “When Rihanna was here we packed boxes and I kept singing her song, “…shine bright like a diamond…’ and that’s what we want to do, we can all shine for someone.”

Contagious Compassion: "If One Person Hurts, We All Hurt"

Compassion is a word often tossed around, but for Dr. Jackson, it’s not just a feeling—it’s a responsibility. “If one person hurts, we all hurt,” she says, her voice filled with conviction. It’s that belief that pushes her to act whenever she sees suffering.

Her journey to founding Minnie’s Food Pantry started with her own experience of hardship. Growing up, her family didn’t always have enough to eat, and she remembers the humiliation of food stamps and the hunger pangs that came with poverty. Her mother, Minnie Hawthorne-Ewing, a pastor, an educator, and a community advocate, was known for her incredible generosity and compassion. “My mother was a servant leader,” Dr. Jackson recalls. “She raised seven kids, took care of two cousins, and still found time to serve the community. Her gift of giving is what inspired me.”

Minnie was a woman of faith and dedication, teaching her children about the importance of service. “We didn’t have much, but my mother always found a way to give,” Dr. Jackson says. That spirit of generosity stayed with Cheryl, shaping her approach to Minnie’s Food Pantry, where service is as important as the food they provide. The pantry’s mission is to treat everyone who walks through the doors with respect, ensuring that their dignity is preserved even in their moments of greatest need. “When I see someone in need, I see my mother in them,” Dr. Jackson says. “I see that strength, that hope that things will get better. And I know it’s my job to help make that hope a reality.”  A plaque hanging on the wall right inside the main doors describes Minnie as “a force of love, a beacon of light, an ambassador of hope…”  Spend a few minutes with Dr. Jackson and you’ll see that this apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

Compassion isn’t just something Dr. Jackson feels—it’s something she spreads. Her hugs are more than just physical gestures. They are a way of transferring her energy, her belief in each person’s worth. It’s why Minnie’s Food Pantry doesn’t just serve food—it serves dignity. “People walk through our doors hungry for more than just food,” Dr. Jackson explains. “They’re hungry for love, for respect, for hope.”

It’s a contagious compassion that inspires others to give, volunteer, and step up. Those who work alongside Dr. Jackson don’t just see the difference they’re making—they feel it. As her friend and board member Shovon Johnson put it, “You can’t be around her and not feel like you need to do more.”

Contagious Generosity: “We Give Because We Can”

Generosity, in Dr. Jackson’s world, isn’t about how much you have. It’s about how much you’re willing to give. And her generosity knows no bounds. Minnie’s Food Pantry, which started in 2008, has since provided over 29 million meals to families in need. But Dr. Jackson is quick to point out that it’s not just about the food. “We may not have it all together, but together we have it all” she says simply. “If you have something to give—whether it’s time, money, a hug, or a kind word—you give it.”

And it’s not just Dr. Jackson who gives. Her infectious spirit of generosity has spread through the community. Local businesses, volunteers, and donors have all rallied around Minnie’s Food Pantry because they’ve seen what can happen when people come together to help their neighbors.

It is important to Dr. Jackson that her mission is understood. She doesn’t merely feed the homeless, “That's probably 15% of the people that we feed. We are feeding the working poor. We are feeding that woman that makes $10 or $15 an hour but she has three kids and she has daycare expenses. We are feeding the grandmother that had to take in her grandkids because her daughter or her son, can’t provide for them.” Dr. Jackson’s heart for the working poor also comes from her own experience.  There was a time when, though they collectively worked five jobs, she and her husband struggled to feed their own family. “I needed help, and it was humiliating. I went to apply for assistance and the facility was dirty and I felt ashamed and I left with an emergency brown paper bag with expired food. No one will ever have that experience at Minnie’s.  No one should ever feel the way I felt that day. And I pray that I’ll never forget how I felt that day.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for food and resources skyrocketed. Families who had never before needed assistance suddenly found themselves at Minnie’s doorstep as incomes drastically changed and Dr. Jackson’s assertion that “Hunger doesn’t have a zip code, a gender, or an ethnicity,” proved to be true.  Dr. Jackson didn’t hesitate to expand her efforts.  “We went from serving a couple hundred families a week to thousands,” she recalls. “It was overwhelming, but we didn’t have time to be overwhelmed. We had to act.”

And act she did. With the help of the community, Minnie’s Food Pantry distributed meals at an unprecedented rate. Dr. Jackson’s generosity was contagious, as more people stepped up to donate their time and resources. “When you see Cheryl working, you want to help,” says Johnson. “She makes you realize that we all have something to give.”

Contagious Action: “If You See a Need, Fill It”

At Minnie’s Food Pantry, the experience for those in need is designed to offer both dignity and empowerment. Inside, there’s a store that mirrors a typical grocery shopping experience, complete with shelves stocked with fresh produce, canned goods, and other essentials. However, the most unique aspect of the store is how individuals earn credits to shop. By participating in classes at Minnie’s Empowerment Center—covering topics like financial literacy, job training, and health and wellness—participants accumulate credits they can then use to purchase food and supplies. This system not only meets immediate needs but also empowers individuals to develop skills that can help them move toward self-sufficiency, making the entire process one of dignity and hope. “A child can stand here with their parent and watch them get rung up and provide a card for payment and they can walk out with their heads held high.  There’s no shame here.”

Dr. Cheryl Jackson doesn’t just talk about problems—she solves them. Her philosophy is simple: “If you see a need, fill it.” It’s a mindset that has defined her life and her work.

Whether it’s organizing a massive Thanksgiving meal distribution or finding ways to help a single mother put food on the table, Dr. Jackson is always in motion. She’s a woman who doesn’t wait for someone else to step in—she’s the one taking action, rallying others to do the same.

Thanksgiving is the busiest time of year for Minnie’s Food Pantry. Families in need turn to the pantry for not just food, but for the sense of community and hope that Dr. Jackson and her team provide. And this year, she’s calling on the community to step up in a big way.

“We need everyone’s help,” she says. “This isn’t just about me or Minnie’s. It’s about all of us. We have the power to make a difference.”

Dr. Jackson’s action-oriented spirit is contagious. Those who hear her speak or volunteer at Minnie’s can’t help but feel the need to do more. Her leadership has sparked a movement of community involvement, one that’s rooted in the belief that together, we can overcome any challenge.  Her contagious action is evident all over their facility in Plano where the enthusiasm of everyone around the facility is not only seen, but felt.

A Call to Action

Dr. Jackson’s message to the community this Thanksgiving is clear: We all have a role to play. Whether it’s donating funds to provide meals, volunteering your time, or simply spreading the word, every act of kindness matters. A $25 donation will provide a turkey for someone in need and $50 will provide an entire thanksgiving meal. Dr. Jackson encourages everyone that donates to add an extra plate at the dinner table on Thanksgiving to represent the family that is enjoying a delicious turkey dinner thanks to their generosity and use it as an opportunity to talk about the work Minnie’s Food Pantry is doing in our community.”

“We can’t do this alone,” she says. “But if we all come together, we can make sure no one goes without.”  An oft referenced quote around Minnie’s comes from Mother Teresa, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

Minnie’s Food Pantry is preparing to serve thousands of families this Thanksgiving, but the need continues year-round. Dr. Jackson’s work doesn’t stop when the holidays are over—she’s constantly thinking about how to fill the next need, how to take the next action.

And that’s where we come in. This Thanksgiving, consider how you can contribute. Whether it’s a donation, volunteering to pass out meals, or even just a smile, there’s something each of us can do to make a difference. “If you’re reading this, you can help, so do it,” Dr. Jackson urges. “We need you.”

The Diamond That Shines in Plano

As was fitting, my conversation with Dr. Jackson never actually ended, but as we toured her facility - impeccably clean and organized - she heard from a volunteer of a minor issue that needed her attention and naturally, she took action and I found myself separated. I made my way into another area of the facility where several hundred volunteers from a local restaurant chain were congregating, their excitement at being away from the office for the afternoon had them buzzing.  A few minutes later the room seemed to brighten as Dr. Cheryl Jackson entered, made her way right into the center of the crowd and begin speaking, no megaphone, no microphone, just a clear voice calling to each one.  She outlined her plan of action for the day and began splitting the group into teams, her contagious action evident as she would ask for a dozen volunteers for a task, and two dozen would raise their hands and step forward.  Within minutes there were teams moving pallets, unpacking boxes, packing meal kits, all moving with purpose as if they had done this a thousand times.  In the midst of each of them, as if there were ten of her, was Dr. Jackson, singing, encouraging, and getting her hands dirty with the real work.  

As I watched from a safe distance I’m reminded of that moment I stood in front of the Hope Diamond, in awe of its beauty and its history. I recall the overwhelming recognition of it’s value, not only due to it’s beauty, but it’s past, and the knowledge that the stone itself would leave a legacy for hundreds more years in the future.  As amazing as that gem was, it pales in comparison to the brilliance of Dr. Cheryl Jackson. She is, without question, a diamond of hope—a shining example of what happens when compassion, generosity, and action come together. She catches light and reflects it back, not just in her own work but in the countless lives she’s touched.

This Thanksgiving, don’t merely admire Dr. Cheryl “Action” Jackson from a distance; join her by making compassion, generosity, and action contagious in your own life. After all, regardless of how much she sparkles and mesmerizes, Dr. Jackson isn’t a gemstone to be displayed and revered —she’s a leader to follow, a dazzling light that invites each of us to join her and shine bright like a diamond.