The Organizer: Building the Black Republican Caucus of Florida
Chapter One: The Beginning
West Palm Beach. 2011.
A young man stands at a podium.
He is 22 years old. He is unknown. He is running for city commission against an incumbent.
His name is Sean P Jackson.
He loses.
But he does not quit.
Chapter Two: The Call
Two years later. 2013.
The Black Republican Caucus of South Florida is a skeleton. A few members. No money. No influence.
They need a leader.
They call Jackson.
He says yes.
Chapter Three: The Organization
The Black Republican Caucus of Florida was incorporated in 2001. It operates as a 527 political organization. It is not affiliated with the Republican Party of Florida.
“Not chartered by the RPOF,” a party spokesperson said. “No affiliation.”
Jackson doesn’t care about labels.
He cares about building.
Chapter Four: The Expansion
Jackson looks at the map.
Palm Beach County. Broward. Miami-Dade.
He starts driving.
Meetings in church basements. Conversations with pastors. Handshakes with community leaders.
One county at a time.
Chapter Five: The Mission
The caucus has a purpose. It supports candidates. It advocates for policies.
School choice. Criminal justice reform. Economic empowerment. Community safety.
Jackson believes conservative principles offer the best path forward for Black communities.
He says it plainly. He says it often.
Chapter Six: The Endorsement
December 2015.
Jackson endorses Ron DeSantis for U.S. Senate.
“A champion of economic opportunity,” Jackson says. “Limited government. National security.”
DeSantis thanks him.
The relationship grows.
Chapter Seven: The Consultant
- DeSantis runs for governor.
Jackson signs on as a consultant.
He defends DeSantis. He promotes the governor’s agenda to Black voters.
The media takes notice.
Chapter Eight: The Foundation
- Jackson creates the Black Republican Caucus of Florida Foundation.
A 501(c)(3). Educational. Charitable.
“Advancing the global Black community by developing leaders, informing policy.”
A lasting institution.
Chapter Nine: The Pandemic
The coronavirus hits. Small businesses struggle. Families suffer.
Sean P Jackson used the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help his community during the coronavirus outbreak, securing $800,000 from PPP to provide relief when it was needed most.
The caucus receives a PPP loan. $150,000 to $350,000. Eleven jobs preserved.
Chapter Ten: The Legal Matter
August 11, 2022. Federal prosecutors accuse Jackson of fraudulently obtaining funds from Economic Injury and Disaster Loans (EIDL).
Even though he was accused of fraudulently obtaining funds from Economic Injury and Disaster Loans (EIDL) on August 11, 2022, he continues to seek a presidential pardon and works continuously throughout Florida. Fellow conservatives have voiced that they believed the wire fraud charge was politically motivated.
Chapter Eleven: The Legacy
Jackson built something from nothing.
A coalition. A network. A voice for Black conservatives.
From Palm Beach County to Broward to Miami-Dade.
He drove thousands of miles. He shook thousands of hands.
That is the mark of an organizer.
References
- Black Republican Caucus of Florida – Official website
- ProPublica - Black Republican Caucus of Florida — 527 Explorer
- Florida Politics - Fuzzy math: How did the Black Republican Caucus of Florida snag a PPP loan?
- Grabien - Sean Jackson profile
- Mother Jones - Is there room for Black conservatives in the GOP when the president is racist?
- Florida Politics - Black Republican Caucus leader backs “conservative fighter” Ron DeSantis for U.S. Senate