�I was introduced to Lester Jackson�s story in my 7th grade Social Studies class. Turns out, my teacher had known him for a few years and was lucky enough to have seen him play with Jimi Hendrix! He showed us pictures and everything! He said Lester was a really nice guy. He also happened to own real film of one of Lester�s movies and he brought in a projector to show us. It was one of those Juice Jones movies, the one that had the Jimmy Sweets dude in it. I only saw it that once, but it inspired me to later go to film school. I believe my films can make a difference in someone�s life, just like Lester Jackson�s did for mine.�
- Zachary Scott Taylor
LETTER FROM AN OLD FRIEND OF LESTER'S
�Lester became my mentor and friend in early 1965. I was only 12 years old. I met him, because one day I happened to spot him in the midst of shooting a home movie on a side street. I watched quietly from the sidelines, but he and his friends looked like they were having such a good time, and he looked like he was in such control of the situation, that my curiosity got the best of me and I went straight up to him and his actors and asking tons of questions. I didn�t realize that I was causing him to waste all kinds of expensive film. In hindsight, I was obviously a distraction and not too kind to his budget and schedule, but Les was a cool cat, you know. He answered a few, smiled, gave me a hi-five, and a dollar (which was like a million dollars to a kid like me, especially back then!), asked my name, and politely said that they had to get back to work. I let him be and went off to enjoy the money the �rich man� gave to me, but within a couple of weeks, I spotted him again on the rooftop of the tenement next door to mine, again, filming. I made my way over and kept hidden behind a gate for the entire afternoon.
He called over to me, �Say, Darnell! You think that was a good take we just did?� Not only was I amazed that this cool dude remembered my name, you know, but I then realized that he had known I was there the entire time and was not bothered in the least; just let me hang and watch. Even moreso, I was sure that Lester had already known whatever shots he wanted to get before he even got to his locations, but the fact that he was asking ME my opinion to bring me into the fold, was very special to me. After they finished their movie, he invited me to come with them around the corner for fountain sodas. He ended up treating me to an ice cream float. We sat there and he did a funny little puppet show with the silverware and a straw. I hadn�t laughed like that in a long time. After the treat, we went outside and sat on the stoop. He took an acoustic guitar out of the case and started playing. I�d never seen a guitar in person before, so I thought he was carrying film equipment, so I was taken back to see a real guitar, you know. He had a voice, sweet as a peach, and lightening quick fingers. His later musical successes didn�t surprise me none. For a short while, he took me under his wing and would to stop by my apartment stoop every Sunday afternoon for about and hour and a half. Saw we were in hard times since my daddy died, and Lester would sometimes bring my momma some chocolates, saying, �Sweet people should be able to have sweet treats with their meals every now and then.� Les showed me how to play guitar and he treated it like a real school course, for 4 weeks straight before he was to leave town: On my �graduation� day, he gave me a certificate that I still have that said: �I take pride in students who will carry the intellectual and creative spark into the world of tomorrow. I'd like to think I will have had something to do with this, but you should know that the spark was within you since your first breath. I rejoice with you on your commencement. I will remember you always. Your friend, Les.�
That was the last I saw of him. Malcolm X died right after that, and I heard Les was all tore up about it and he took off. He later came back, of course, but I still never saw him. To this day, I can only say that I respect and love Lester Jackson like a big brother, you know. He took the time for a goofy-lookin� kid like me when he had such important work to do in the world. I�m grateful that whatever force brought him along my path, certainly did.�
- Darnell Lewis
"I am studying life of Lester Jackson. He is fascinated me with many changes in his life. He is like the pop singer Madonna. I love the Lester!"
- Dagmar Schaeffer
"It's important not to forget people like Lester, because he never forgot about us. Thank you for everything, man."
- Otilio Nunez
IRON FIST by Aisha L. Perry
Wrapped the curtain
Around your hand
Heavy
Without saying, we heard�
�There�s nothing you can�t do
When you have an
Iron Fist�
You believed it, too,
And walked head-on
Into the fire
Where they melted you down
Silence.
�I get chills whenever I think of the rich life, Lester Jackson led. I think everyone could learn a thing or two from his selfless example. I hope my own boys grow up to have the same level of dignity, persistence, vision and humanity that Mr. Jackson demonstrated. God bless you. And God bless Lester Jackson.�
- Claire Stephens
"I never heard anything about him before, I just wanted to send some props to brother Lester, for trying to make a difference in the world."
- Jamal Carter
