Oling Jackson was born in 1927. He served for twenty years in the United States Marine Corps. Jackson worked as an active voice in the American Cape Verdean community, volunteering and promoting democracy. He was involved with the Republic of Cabo Verde government as a private citizen, helping Cape Verde acquire support around the world. He also helped use their political and economic clout to bolster relations between the United States and Republic of Cabo Verde. This helped maintain ongoing relationships with legislators and congressional staffers with the assistance of grass roots lobbying. He also assisted with the visit of Aristides Pereira, President of the Republic of Cabo Verde, to America from September 27-October 8, 1983. Oling Jackson died in 2003.
This collection predominately reflects Oling Jackson’s involvement with the Republic of Cabo Verde as well as his initiatives with the American Cape Verdean community. It includes professional and personal correspondence, as well as subject files relating to Cape Verde economics and development, Independence celebrations, individuals, and organizations and associations. The collection also contains photographs, which include the Ernestina and its restoration circa 1979, Cape Verde Independence celebrations, and the Special Committee of 24 who were sent on a mission to Cape Verde. Additionally, included in the collection are photographs of Cape Verde, Portugal, and the Azores.
Rhode Island College Special Collections holds copyright to materials in this collection created by Oling Jackson. The collection contains materials not created by Jackson, which may be under copyright restrictions. Series 2 includes photographs taken by Michael J.B. Kelly (folders 6/4-12). While they can still be requested, these images are under copyright and will enter the public domain in 2087. Researchers are advised to contact Rhode Island College Special Collections for questions regarding permissions to reproduce, distribute, or otherwise publish material from this collection. Although Rhode Island College has physical ownership of the collection, it does not necessarily hold literary rights to all materials in this collection. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
The entire collection is open for research except for box 5 folder 17: “SOS Children’s Village (Austrian)” due to the presence of sensitive information regarding persons who may still be living. Box 5 folder 17 is closed for a period of 72 years from date of creation. Access may be granted after information has been redacted by Special Collections staff. Please contact Special Collections for additional information.
Oling Jackson papers, MSS-0085, Special Collections, James P. Adams Library, Rhode Island College.
The collection has been arranged into the following series:
The collection was initially donated by Oling Jackson in 1991. A deed of gift was signed by Jackson at that time. Jackson made additions to the collection periodically until 2003. Additional deeds of gift were signed by Jackson.
The collection was initially arranged by Special Collections staff prior to 2019. In 2004, select publications were removed from the collection and added to the Cape Verdean Book Collection and the Cape Verdean Periodical Collection in Special Collections. The collection was described using current archival standards by Brandon Bun, Special Collections intern, under the direction of Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, Veronica L. Denison, in 2023. Additional publications were removed from the collection and added to the Oling Jackson Book Collection in Special Collection at this time.
Works used in preparation of inventory: Biographical information provided by Oling Jackson.
Rhode Island College Special Collections holds further collections relating to Cape Verde. Please review the Cape Verdean related collections topic guide.
Select publications were removed from the collection in 2004 by Special Collections staff. These publications were added to the Cape Verdean Periodical Collection and the Cape Verdean Book Collection. In 2023, additional publications were removed from the collection and added to the Oling Jackson Book Collection in Special Collections. Please contact the Rhode Island College Special Collections for additional information.
This series contains professional and personal correspondence, documents, and photographs concerning Jackson’s involvement with the Republic of Cabo Verde and the Cape Verdean American community. The series has been organized into subseries, each reflecting separate subjects.
This subseries contains programs, flyers, and photographs of Cape Verdean American Day Independence Celebrations mostly in Rhode Island. Arranged chronologically.
This series mostly contains photographs of the Special Committee of 24 who were sent on a mission to Cape Verde, as well as photographs taken by Michael J.B. Kelly. It also contains photographs of Cape Verdean Independence celebrations in America, particularly in Rhode Island.
This folder is restricted until 2066 due to the presence sensitive information regarding individuals who may still be living. The file can be requested, however it will be redacted. Please contact Special Collections for additional information.