Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley door pickup 10am - 7pm 3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611

  • Open Daily: 10am - 10pm
    Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm

    3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
    612-822-4611

Open Daily: 10am - 10pm | Alley-side Pickup: 10am - 7pm
3038 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN
612-822-4611
Underestimated: Still Standing!

Underestimated: Still Standing!

Jackson-Downing, Verilyn

Paperback

Biographies GeneralPlays

Publisher Price: $15.00

ISBN10: 1966561202
ISBN13: 9781966561200
Publisher: Mary Ethel Eckard
Published: Aug 14 2025
Pages: 178
Weight: 0.54
Height: 0.38 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English

Verilyn Jackson-Downing grew up in Louisiana within a close-knit Black community with strong family values and church involvement. As an older child, her family relocated to Pennsylvania, where she faced the realities of race, school integration, and self-discovery. After college, where Verilyn majored in Recreation, she broke barriers when she was hired as the first Black female Correctional Activities Specialist working with male inmates. Her memoir details the challenges and triumphs in filling this role. In her personal life, Verilyn faced complex challenges, including marriages marked by infidelity and domestic violence, and the loss of close family members. She shares her struggles with forgiveness, resilience, and the impact of family dynamics on her relationships. In her inspirational memoir, Verilyn Jackson-Downing portrays a life shaped by faith, family, and perseverance. She provides spiritual guidance and encourages strength through faith. Her story highlights resilience, transformation, and the enduring legacy of love and hope, emphasizing the intersections of race, gender, and personal identity, as well as the power of spiritual strength to overcome adversity. Throughout her book, Verilyn emphasizes faith, gratitude, and personal development, highlighting the sustaining power of God, the importance of community and mentorship, and her commitment to living boldly with purpose.

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