Key Moments
The Power of Belief! | Charlton Jackson | TEDxChadwick International School
TEDKey Moments
Belief shapes who we are and what we achieve, fueled by effort and a growth mindset.
Key Insights
Our beliefs about ourselves and our capabilities significantly influence our choices and actions.
Generational stories of overcoming adversity, like the speaker's ancestors and parents, highlight the power of perseverance and belief in education.
The "Big Bopper" nickname illustrates how adopting a believed identity, combined with hard work, can shape personal achievement.
Challenging perceptions of one's background, as seen with the Watts summer games anecdote, demonstrates how belief can reframe identity.
Shifting from an athlete persona to a "student-athlete" identity, spurred by academic success, expanded the speaker's self-perception and efforts.
The core message is that a "growth mindset"—believing that challenges are figure-out-able with effort and perseverance—is key to beating the odds.
ANCESTRAL DREAMS AND OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS
The speaker, Charlton Jackson, begins by sharing a personal connection to his ancestors' wildest dreams, highlighting how his mere presence as middle school principal at CI is an act of overcoming immense historical odds. His great-grandparents were slaves, and grandparents lived through Jim Crow laws and the Great Depression. Their aspirations could not have realistically encompassed such a future, yet their struggles laid the groundwork for subsequent generations to achieve beyond measure.
A FATHER'S JOURNEY THROUGH ADVERSITY AND EDUCATION
Charlton's father, born in poverty in Mississippi, faced educational challenges early on, even repeating third grade. A supportive cousin fostered a love for learning, leading him to believe education was his path to success amidst hardship. Despite obtaining a stable postal job, he pursued higher education at Compton Community College and Cal Poly Pomona, becoming an electrical engineer. His service in the Vietnam War led to a clerical role due to his typing skills, and the GI Bill enabled him to buy a house, demonstrating how hard work and belief in education paved his way.
A MOTHER'S PATH TO EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION
Similarly, Charlton's mother, born in Louisiana, moved to Compton, California, at age six. As the eldest of several siblings, with a young mother, she took on significant responsibilities, acting as a second mother. She too embraced education as a means to become a role model and support her family. She attended Compton Community College and Cal State LA, becoming a social worker, and later pursued further education to become a registered nurse and public health nurse, embodying lifelong learning.
CHA D WICK SCHOOL AND THE CHALLENGE OF BELIEF
The speaker's entry into Chadwick School in 1975, a prestigious institution where few Black students were present just a decade prior, highlights a significant leap. Despite initial positive representation, he notes a decline in Black student numbers by his graduation. His initial identity formed at Chadwick revolved around being "Bob the Athlete," a persona reinforced by a charismatic PE coach. This identity, however, was built on intense dedication and hard work rather than innate talent, challenging the perception that athletic ability was purely natural.
REDEFINING IDENTITY: FROM ATHLETE TO STUDENT-ATHLETE
A pivotal moment occurred in ninth grade science class when a new teacher, unaware of his "Bob the Athlete" reputation, acknowledged his academic achievement. This external validation, coupled with an innate desire for intellectual recognition, prompted a shift. Charlton began actively striving to be a "student-athlete," dedicating himself to his studies alongside his athletic pursuits. This expanded self-perception proved valuable, earning him greater social capital within the academic environment.
THE MINDSET OF 'FIGURE-OUT-ABLE' AND BEATING ODDS
The overarching theme connecting these personal and familial narratives is the transformative power of belief and a "growth mindset." Henry Ford's quote, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right," encapsulates this. Jackson asserts that believing challenges are "figure-out-able" is paramount. True success stems not from innate gifts but from the courage to persevere through setbacks, a principle he aims to instill at CI, empowering every student to believe they can overcome any obstacle.
Mentioned in This Episode
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Common Questions
Charlton Jackson defines beating the odds through his family's history, starting from his great-grandparents who were slaves, and progressing through his parents' and his own journey of overcoming socioeconomic and racial challenges through education and belief.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
The university where Charlton Jackson studied engineering, following in his father's footsteps.
The university where Charlton Jackson's father completed his degree in electrical engineering after serving in the military.
The school where Charlton Jackson and his parents decided he would attend, shaping his identity and beliefs.
The community college attended by Charlton Jackson's father and mother as part of their educational journeys.
The university where Charlton Jackson's mother obtained her degree to become a social worker.
Quoted by Charlton Jackson on the power of belief, stating 'whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.'
A friend of Charlton Jackson from Chadwick School who went on to become an attorney at Princeton.
Charlton Jackson's ninth-grade science teacher at Chadwick who identified him as 'the smart one,' influencing his academic identity.
The speaker, middle school principal at CI, sharing his story about beating the odds through belief and a growth mindset.
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