She’s a southern belle with Midwestern grit and global vision. Born in Helena, AR and raised in Flint, Dr. Shan Jackson has never been one to stay inside the box – or even inside the borders. With a bold blend of academic achievement, professional experience and personal passion, she has launched a powerful health and wellness movement that has crossed oceans and changed lives. Her impact both locally and internationally has earned her the honor of being named the 2025 City’s Choice Award winner for Favorite Greater Flint Educator – a recognition that only begins to capture the depth of her work.
A passionate educator, speaker and author, Dr. Jackson’s resume is as robust as her mission. She holds dual master’s degrees in Social Sciences and Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and earned her PhD in 2023 with groundbreaking research exploring how nutrition influences criminal behavior – particularly among youth and adults in the justice system. That research would become the foundation of her organization Healthy Just Feels Right, which recently opened an office in Downtown Flint and has since grown into a cross-continental initiative promoting physical and mental wellness.
Locally, Dr. Jackson serves as the lead nutrition educator for the I.G.N.I.T.E. program at the Genesee County Jail, is a deputy sheriff, and sits on the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health & Wellness. Nationally and internationally, she has worked with organizations including MSU Extension, the EPA and the M.A.D.E. Institute. She’s also authored eight publications and continues to advocate for holistic healing through food and education. In 2024, her efforts were recognized with the Bryant “BB” Nolden Community Champion Award.
But in 2023, Dr. Jackson’s work took a surprising turn – one that would lead her far from home and straight into the heart of the Caribbean.
“There was nothing about me that was local … I was global.”
That was the bold statement made about Dr. Jackson by Jamaican-American reggae icon Shaggy, after witnessing one of her nutrition classes during a visit to Flint. Intrigued by her insight on the connection between criminal behavior and nutrition, he invited her to a meeting at the Hilton Downtown Flint. That same evening, she met with his team – including music and media industry heavyweights Sharon Burke and Judith Bodley – who encouraged her to bring her message to Jamaica.
“Within two weeks, I was booked to present at the Island Music Conference in Jamaica,” Dr. Jackson recalls. “There, I spoke to celebrities like Queen Ifrica and TeeJay, along with executives from Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music and BMI. After the conference, so many partnerships were formed – it was surreal.”
What began as an invitation became a movement. By May 2023, the city of Kingston had officially declared Healthy Just Feels Right Week, aligning it with National Child Month. The weeklong celebration now occurs annually and features youth-centered activities like a drawing contest centered on wellness themes such as nutrition, mental health and physical activity.
“I never envisioned this expansion,” Dr. Jackson says. “If someone had told me I’d run an internationally recognized business, I would have laughed. But I’ve been conducting business in Jamaica for three years now – it’s become my home away from home.”
Bridging Cultures Through Wellness
Launching programs in Kingston required Dr. Jackson to adapt her strategies to meet the unique cultural and environmental needs of the Jamaican people. That meant more than just tweaking lesson plans; it required deep listening, cultural awareness and collaboration.
“Healthy Just Feels Right!”
“Incorporating traditional foods like jerk chicken, rice & peas and callaloo into the conversation made it easier for the community to connect with my message,” she explains. “I also had to adjust the way I taught – using more visuals and interactive methods to reach a broader audience.”
In Kingston, Dr. Jackson has taken on several prominent roles, including lead nutrition specialist for Jamaica’s first mental health app, Talk About It Ltd. (TAIL). The app supports teens, couples and families in navigating mental health issues, and her expertise has been vital in connecting the dots between nutrition and emotional well-being.
In addition, she has established partnerships with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Ministry of Justice and numerous educational institutions. Most recently, she appointed her first island ambassador and aims to place a representative in every Jamaican school to promote healthy living even in her absence.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” she shares. “People are more engaged in workshops, and we’re seeing shifts in dietary habits, with many opting for more fruits and vegetables over processed food.”
Connecting Communities Across Borders
Despite the obvious differences between Flint and Kingston – industrial versus tropical, urban versus coastal – Dr. Jackson sees striking similarities in the challenges both communities face.
“Flint and Kingston both struggle with food insecurity and poor health outcomes – malnutrition and obesity,” she explains.
The first HJFR Ambassador, Taijah Francis, was chosen at Windward Primary School. Dr. Jackson’s goal is to have one in every parish in Jamaica.
“Access to fresh produce is limited in both places, and economic hardship is a barrier to healthier choices.”
However, their solutions often differ. Kingston benefits from international support and a more robust public health framework, while Flint is still largely reactive, battling the lingering effects of lead contamination due to the water crisis and economic downturn.
Her goals for both communities reflect a clear vision: build sustainable, culturally tailored wellness solutions. In Flint, that means more education around affordable healthy eating, building partnerships to counteract the effects of lead poisoning, and revitalizing neighborhood food systems. In Kingston, her focus is on strengthening community agriculture, expanding ambassador programs, and amplifying awareness of chronic disease prevention.
Eyes on the Horizon
For Dr. Jackson, the work doesn’t stop in Jamaica. She’s already exploring expansion into Barbados, Trinidad, the Cayman Islands, and even select regions in Africa. Although invited to launch initiatives in Haiti, she says she’s waiting for the right timing given current conditions. Her long-term vision is a network of Healthy Just Feels Right ambassadors across continents, each empowered to spread the message of wellness and healing.
Healthy Just Feels Right Week now occurs annually and features youth-centered activities like a drawing contest centered on wellness themes such as nutrition, mental health and physical activity.
“Through collaboration, education and a deep respect for cultural traditions, we can truly change lives,” she says.
And while she now travels the globe sharing her message, Flint remains the foundation of her journey – the place where she built her expertise, launched her career and found her purpose. As she celebrates her City’s Choice Award and reflects on her path, Dr. Jackson remains humble and filled with gratitude.
“I’m living my best dream,” she says. “Who else gets to visit Jamaica four times a year and call it work? I’m just a girl from Helena, Arkansas, raised in Flint – and I’m proof that purpose can take you anywhere.”
