"My Life on the Rollercoaster" by Dawn Jackson

Welcome back to Still I Rise — the podcast where stories of resilience remind us that even when life throws us into the steepest drops, faith, courage, and connection can carry us through.

Today’s guest is someone I affectionately call Miss Jackson — a woman whose story is as breathtaking as the ride she’s been on. Dawn Jackson has lived her life on what she calls “the rollercoaster” — a series of climbs, loops, and sudden plunges that tested her faith, her identity, and her strength. From teenage motherhood to two battles with breast cancer, Dawn’s journey is one of grit and grace — but it’s also a story about awakening. About learning that she doesn’t have to earn love to be worthy of it.

What makes Miss Jackson’s story especially powerful is her honesty about what it means to be a Black woman navigating survivorship — often without seeing herself reflected in the support groups or programs around her. Through her voice, she’s creating a bridge — helping other women of color find the information, resources, and sisterhood they deserve. Because no one should face the ride alone.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to reclaim your worth, to rediscover your faith, and to use your pain as purpose. We also talk about the responsibility — and the opportunity — to use your voice to lift others who may feel unseen.

So buckle up. This is the story of a woman who faced the scariest drops, held on through the dark tunnels, and somehow found her peace in the freefall.

This is My Life on the Rollercoaster — with Dawn Jackson.