The University of South Carolina Office of the Provost recognized Dr. Joynelle Jackson, associate professor at the College of Nursing with their Clinical Practice Teaching Award at the annual faculty awards ceremony.

"Dr. Jackson’s outstanding work exemplifies the transformative impact our faculty have, not only within our college but also within the broader community,” says Jeannette O. Andrews, dean at the college. “Her commitment to clinical excellence directly benefits South Carolinians, embodying the essence of our mission to advance health care and enhance lives."

Jackson works directly with families to increase breast/chest feeding equity and encourage success in Black communities.

“Breast cancer incidence in African Americans living in the U.S. is high. Research shows a direct linkage of lower breast cancer rates in women who choose to breastfeed,” says Jackson.

She co-founded Mocha Mamas Milk, a research and support initiative focused on improving breastfeeding among Black families in South Carolina, a state where just 55.1% of Black infants are breastfed, compared with 75.2% of white infants.

Breast/chest feeding is internationally recognized as a method of infant feeding with health benefits for both infant and mother.

“My goal is to educate and support African American women to make the best and most informed choice about how they choose to feed their newborn,” says Jackson. “While everyone cannot or may not choose to breastfeed, they will at least have the education needed to make the best choice for them.”