Lead the Way: Libraries at the Heart of Community Engagement

Stephen Jackson is a motivational speaker, founder of Global CommUnity Associates, Co-Founder of the CornerStones of Restorative Healing, and former Director of Equity and Anti-Racism at Oak Park Public Library (IL). As someone who is justice impacted, Stephen understands through lived experience the collateral consequences the justice system is responsible for. He specializes in serving this population through CORH Counseling.
He values public service and contributing to people’s lives through utilizing both Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices to create positive and safe cultures for organizations and communities.
In 2016, Stephen participated in the inaugural work of the integration of social services in Oak Park Public Library, becoming just the 4th library in the nation to hire a social worker on staff. He has held a variety of roles, including Social Services Specialist, Teen Services Coordinator, Manager of Teen Services and in 2021 he became the libraries’ first Director of Equity