Bertron M. Jackson Family Collection

Bertron M. Jackson was one of the first African American editors and publishers for the Galveston Examiner Newspaper. Born in Beaumont, Texas in 1912, he graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1933. Following his graduation, he pursued a variety of business ventures. For a time, (1936-38) he served as Superintendent of Walls Beauty College in Houston, reporting directly to Roxie Walls, who owned and presided over the institution. Following that, he published and edited the Galveston Examiner (1938-41) until he was punitively drafted by local whites into the armed forces in a successful attempt by them to force him to suspend publication of his newspaper.

Mr. Jackson’s short military career landed him in southern California, where he continued both his education and business activities. Attendance at the Pacific Coast University College of Law led Mr. Jackson into partnership with several lawyers and into real estate. He also worked for Douglass and Lockheed aircraft corporations and operated Hollywood Gold sound Producers which pioneered in the new field of musical radio commercials. It was also in California that Mr. Jackson became an ordained minister of the First Church of Deliverance. Since his return to Houston from California, Rev. Jackson has remained active in many business and civic activities. Rev. Jackson continued his involvement in businesses and civic activities until his death in June 1993.