Lynda Jackson-Conyers
Board Member
A native Milwaukeean, Lynda J. Jackson Conyers’ roots are firmly anchored in the soil of this city. Jackson Conyers is a product of the Milwaukee Public Schools. Her post secondary training to become an educator took place at the University of Wisconsin in River Falls, where she received her bachelor degree in education. Lynda continued her studies at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, obtaining a master degree in education. Returning to Milwaukee with her degrees, Jackson Conyers wasted no time pursuing her dream to be a classroom teacher in her hometown. Her first teaching assignment took her to Parkman Junior High, working under the administration of the late Andrew Douglas. She concluded her teaching career at Washington High School when she took a leave of absence to care for her elderly and ailing mother who lived with her until her death in 1993.
In 1984, Jackson Conyers entered the world of business, assisting her husband, Nathan, and his business partners in publishing The Milwaukee Times newspaper. Jackson Conyers learned the business quickly and was able, within a short period of time, to produce a publication and run the business. She acquired the entrepreneur spirit while attending Whitewater. There she established the first black weekend “soul food” restaurant to assist her in paying the rent of her best friend’s apartment.
In 1985, Jackson Conyers along with her husband, Nathan, initiated the Black Excellence Awards Ceremony. The Conyers saw the good deeds of people in the African America community of Milwaukee and wanted to praise those living unsung heroes and heroines. For the past 35 years, the Black Excellence Awards have honored nearly 1,100 individuals who have made outstanding contributions and have brought great leadership to this community.
In 1988, Jackson Conyers assisted in establishing a journalism scholarship for minority students in the name of Louvenia Johnson, a founding business partner. Over $550,000 has been awarded as of this date. In 1992, she launched the largest black owned printing, sign and banner shop in the City of Milwaukee, located on Historic King Drive. In 1993, she established an annual community awards program, “A Golden Moment in Time,” honoring couples who have been married 50 or more years.
In 2004, Jackson Conyers was appointed publisher of the Milwaukee Times Newspaper.
In 2011, Jackson Conyers received the Governor’s Marketplace Business Award, in Madison, for being in business for thirty years. On March 18, 2013 the Central City Business Award was presented to Jackson Conyers from the Milwaukee Business Journal. The Milwaukee Times is the first Black newspaper publication ever honored by the Business Journal.
She is a member of Community Baptist Church of Greater Milwaukee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Top Ladies of Distinction, North Central Service Club, Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the NAACP, Black Women’s Network, Eastern Star-Electa, the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa-Beta Chi, AAUW (American Association of University Women), and NNPA National Newspaper Publishers Association). Jackson Conyers is a mother of two daughters and wife of the late Nathan Conyers.