Sharon Diggs-Jackson was born and raised in Long Beach. A proud product of the LBUSD, Sharon attended Lincoln Elementary, Franklin Junior High and Wilson High School.  She received a full scholarship to the University of Southern California where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Administration.

Following graduation, she started her professional career with IBM, where she served 12 years as an auditor and administrative branch manager.  In 1990, she began her 20 year career with the City of Long Beach as an Analyst in the Long Beach Police Department’s Narcotics and Crime Analysis Divisions. Later she helped to create and manage the Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Program, and served as the Long Beach Airport’s Public Affairs Officer, and Noise Abatement Officer.

Sharon’s community service is extensive, most notably she was the co-founder of the Education Council of African American Parents, she has served on the board of Leadership Long Beach, LB Bar Foundation-Shortstop Program, Bridge Crossing Jubilee, and various LBUSD Parent Advisory committees.

Following her retirement in 2010, Sharon, and her husband Dr. J. David Jackson, began a journey to discover and connect with their family roots that landed them in Selma, AL. In 2011, in collaboration with the City of Selma, the Jackson’s modernized and reopened the Selma Walton Theater, which had been closed for 10 years. 

A student of history, Sharon is a trained genealogist and the author of the book, Images of America: SELMA, published in November 2014.

Sharon and her husband have raised their four children in Long Beach, and they reside in Long Beach-Lakewood Village neighborhood.  They are also long time members of St. Mark Baptist Church, located in Central Long Beach.