Brownsville Talks Gregory Jackson's Irreplaceable Leadership in #MyBrooklynStory Video

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — Brownsville community leader and New York Knick Gregory Jackson clearly made an impact on almost everyone in the neighborhood, so much so that the Brownsville recreation center is now called the Gregory Jackson Center.

It's appropriate that the video series #MyBrooklynStory sponsored by the New York City Police Foundation spotlighted Jackson, or Jocko, as he was known by most in the neighborhood.

Jocko passed away of a heart attack in 2012. He was 60.

"He could've made a million dollars, millions off endorsements playing, but he had a passion for Brownsville and he felt that he was needed here more than playing professional ball," said Richard Swinson of the Brownsville Partnership in an interview. "He was always big-hearted, he was always generous," Swinson said. "He was always down to earth, he was always concerned about young people."

Jackson was an NBA player for a short stint but returned to Brownsville to the people he loved and to make a difference in his home. He eventually became the unofficial mayor of Brownsville.

Jackson was born and raised in Brownsville and knew the importance of making youth feel safe in the neighborhood. During his lifetime, Jackson transformed the Brownsville recreation center from an unwelcoming place to a safe harbor where young people felt they could play and talk peacefully with each other.

"He could've drove a Rolls Royce from here to Madison Square Garden, he took the subway. And whenever he took the subway to go to the games, he always took youth from Brownsville with him," Swinson said.

Photo credit: #MyBrooklynStory