The Greater Washington Community Foundation is deeply saddened by the passing of Alexine Clement Jackson, an extraordinary leader, philanthropist, and mentor.
She was a beloved member of the Greater Washington Community Foundation family –a long-time donor and fundholder who became a Trustee in 1999, served as our Board Chair from 2002-2006, and eventually received the coveted Civic Spirit Award (later renamed the Spirit of Philanthropy Award) in 2006 for her many contributions to the health and vitality of our region. A deeply committed board member, she also chaired the Community Investment Committee and supported many of our major initiatives including serving on the Steering Committee of the Greater Washington Creative Communities Initiative that leveraged investments for artists and art-making in the region.
“Alexine Clement Jackson was a friend, mentor and a great leader. She was the epitome of class and style. When she walked into a room, heads turned and acknowledged her entrance, not just because of her beauty, but because of the spirit of commitment and excellence that she carried into every room. She was the first and only African American chair of The Community Foundation and it was under her leadership that we decided to host an annual fundraising event. She served as an ambassador for breast cancer awareness having survived the disease twice. I'm saddened to hear of her passing but it is clear God needed her more than we did. My heartfelt condolences to her children and grandchildren. Mrs. Alexine Clement Jackson will be greatly missed,” said Terri Lee Freeman, former President and CEO of The Community Foundation (1996-2014), 2023 Spirit of Philanthropy Award Recipient, and current Executive Director of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.
Alexine Clement Jackson devoted her life to community and civic organizations and received numerous awards both locally and nationally for her work, including Washingtonian of the Year. She was Board Chair of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, former National President of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), president of Black Women's Agenda, and Chair of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. She was also Board Chair of The Washington Performing Arts Society and was on the board of many arts organizations including the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Strathmore Hall, and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.
“I was blessed to work with Alexine. She was a renowned and respected leader in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. She was also a beloved arts leader. I had the honor to work with her closely when she was Chair of our Community Investment Committee and when she served on the Steering Committee for the Creative Communities Initiative. I still remember everything she taught me about leadership when we worked together over 15 years ago to try and strengthen the support system for artists in our region. She taught me the importance of communicating ‘what success looks like’ by painting a clear picture, and helping others see the vision clearly. I will never forget how warm, loving, committed, and kind she was—and how elegant, strong, graceful, and focused. I can still feel her presence. My heart goes out to her friends and family,” said Silvana Straw, Senior Community Investment Officer and Philanthropic Advisor at The Community Foundation.