Uncrowned Community Builders

Jessie Blackman was a native of Charlotte, North Carolina where she attended Johnson C. Smith University and received a graduate degree from Columbia Universityââ?¬â?¢s School of Social Work. She came to Buffalo, NY in 1963 to work at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center. In 1964 she became the Director of the Women's and Girl's Program at the Michigan Avenue YMCA. Miss Blackman taught at Fosdick Masten and Emerson High Schools from 1971 to 1977. She was honored by the Buffalo Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, the Buffalo Board of Education, BUILD and the Buffalo Area Council of Churches.

Miss Blackman received numerous awards for community service and helped to preserve the Fosdick Masten High School, now City Honors, as a historical landmark. She served on the boards of the Salvation Army, Citizens for Quality Education and was the Chairwoman of the Refugee Location Committee of the First Presbyterian Church.

Miss Blackman was 60 years of age at the time of her passing on February 9, 1989. She is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.