Page 22 - Florida Sentinel 8-14-20

FAMU News
FAMU Alumna Named To Oscars Panel
Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumna Staci R. Collins Jackson will be among those judging en- trants for the Oscars.
She was recently named as a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which in- cludes the most successful film executives, filmmakers, and artists who select the nominees and winners of the Academy Awards or Oscars.
The veteran public rela- tions executive is also a vot- ing member for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the organization that votes for the Emmys.
In a statement released by The Oscars, the organiza- tion acknowledged the repre- sentation of women and individuals from different
ethnic and racial back- grounds out of 819 individu- als selected.
“The 2020 class is 45 per- cent women, 36 percent un- derrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 49 percent international from 68 coun- tries,” the organization said.
Jackson was the only African American selected to join the organization’s mar- keting and public relations branch’s Class of 2020.
Jackson believes her time at FAMU helped her prepare for success.
“I am elated to join the magnitude of talent in The Academy’s Class of 2020. It is an honor to be a member of this elite global group,” said Jackson. “My leader- ship roles at FAMU and edu- cation from the School of
STACI R. COLLINS JACKSON ...Named To Oscars Panel
Journalism, Media and Graphic Arts, definitely pre- pared me for my career in the entertainment busi- ness.”
At FAMU, Jackson held several campus queen titles,
served as the Secretary of State for Student Govern- ment Association, and was an adviser for Miss FAMU and the Royal Court. She joined the Beta Alpha Chap- ter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and is a life- member and chairman of the International Honorary Members and Awards Com- mittee.
Jackson earned a Bach- elor’s in Journalism from FAMU and a Master’s in Arts, Entertainment & Media Management from Columbia College. She also completed
executive programs at UCLA, Harvard Business School, and Stanford University.
Jackson serves as the CEO of The Collins Jackson Agency PR firm. She has led PR campaigns for Oscar nominated films and top movies in the box office such as, Girls Trip, Think Like a Man film franchise, Ride Along 2, and the upcom- ing, Coming 2 America, which stars Eddie Mur- phy. She also served as the director of communications at Harpo Studios and publi- cist for Oprah Winfrey.
FAMU Ag Researchers Awarded Patents For Two New Grape Strains
Researchers in the FAMU College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Center for Viti- culture and Small Fruit Re- search, have been awarded patents for two new strains of muscadine grapes. The “Rat- tler Researchers” at the Center have received patents for the “Floriana” and “Florida Onyx” grape.
The grapes are new to the grape industry. Muscadine grapes are native to the south- eastern and south-central United States and are typically used in making artisan wines, juices, and jelly.
In addition to tasting good, the grapes are high in fiber and high in antioxidants have been known to have demonstrated anticariogenic properties in the colon, lungs and liver, and have been reported to lower cholesterol and the risk of coronary heart disease.
The FAMU Center for Viti- culture and Small Fruits is the oldest specialized viticulture research program in the south- eastern United States.
FAMU Agriculture Researchers
Muscadine Grapes
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