Valerie Jackson

Valerie Jackson (née Richardson; April 3, 1949) is an American radio host, philanthropist, and former advertising executive. She is the widow of former Atlanta, Georgia mayor Maynard Jackson. Early life Jackson was born to Charles and Cora Ruth Richardson, and grew up in Richmond, Virginia. In 1963 she was one of the first black students admitted into her high school, from which she graduated in 1967. She went on to major in business management at Virginia Commonwealth University (BBA 1971), and continued her studies at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (MBA 1973). First Lady