Dear Friends:
I want to personally thank all of you for your incredible support during these challenging times. Katherine and I as well as the entire Jackson Family have been deeply touched by the outpouring of your love and sincerely appreciate your concerns.
Everywhere I go I am greeted with kindness and words of comfort which do mean much to me. For over four decades the Jackson Family has brought captivating and moving music to the world and we count it a special privilege to have been a part in making that possible.
Prior to Michael’s passing, I visited the place where it all started; Gary, Indiana. Life was tough back in the early 1960’s and Katherine and I did the best we could in raising 9 terrific children. We are extremely proud of all our children -- from the successes as a group with The Jackson Five with Jermaine, Marlon, Jackie, Tito and Michael and later The Jacksons with Randy to the individual successes of Rebbie, LaToya and Janet - all have made an impact on the world of music and the world at large in their own unique way.
Over the years as the family developed and had so many successes, I have thought about building a permanent place where Jackson Family fans and friends alike could visit and learn about the story behind the headlines. Michael’s untimely passing has made such a tribute even more imperative. While being extremely talented, Michael was unique in a variety of ways, especially when it came to having a big heart. If Michael taught us anything, it was the importance of each one of us in taking the opportunity to make a difference in the world, of giving to others and… making the world a better place.
So with the encouragement and urging of friends and supporters Katherine and I have joined together to form the Jackson Family Foundation, a not for profit organisation, which will head the development of the Jackson Family Museum and Cultural Center to be built in the birthplace of the Jackson musical family; Gary, Indiana as both a memorial to Michael and a tribute to the entire Jackson Family. The Jackson Family Foundation, as well, will support charitable cultural, social and educational projects.
The Honorable Rudy Clay, Mayor of Gary has generously offered 10 acres of prime city land and a multitude of financial incentives to make the project a reality. I have appointed my longtime friend and associate, Mr. Simon Sahouri, publisher of LVH Magazine, to serve as President of the Jackson Family Foundation and to head the building project and capital campaign with the assistance of a professional fundraising group, Seven and Company, LLC. I have asked our beautiful granddaughter Stevanna Jackson, who, by the way, is a student at Harvard University, to also sit on the board of directors ensuring the next generation of Jackson’s are well represented.
Our goal is to build a truly memorable place where friends and fans alike can learn about the history of the Jackson Family, honor all the members of the Jackson Family and remember and carry on the legacy of Michael. But, most of all, this will be a place for you - the fans - to visit, to learn, to share and to remember what the music of the Jackson Family has meant to you.
I have assembled a strong team of developers, financiers, consultants and advisors to make the Jackson Family Museum and Cultural Centre a reality for all of us, and sincerely appreciate your input and ideas and welcome your support and participation.
Thank you and God Bless,
Joe Jackson.
