18 Facts About Mannie Jackson

Mannie Jackson was born on May 4,1939 and is the chairman and co-owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, for whom he played from 1962 to 1964.

Mannie Jackson was the first African American with controlling ownership in an entertainment organization and international sports team.

Mannie Jackson was born to Emmet and Margaret Jackson in Illmo, Missouri.

Mannie Jackson was raised in an environment of great poverty, often living with 12 family members.

Mannie Jackson was three at the time of this move to escape the Illmo floods.

Mannie Jackson tended bar at the country club and gun club in Edwardsville.

Mannie Jackson worked two jobs while studying to be a teacher at Shurtleff College in Alton.

Mannie Jackson was among the second group of black students to enroll in Edwardsville High.

In 1989, Mannie Jackson visited the Edwardsville YMCA during an opening of the new addition.

Mannie Jackson attended Edwardsville High school where he began to demonstrate his superior skills in basketball.

At Edwardsville High School, Mannie Jackson made first team All-State and received a full scholarship to play at the University of Illinois.

Mannie Jackson would take us along when he spoke at various high school banquets around the state.

Mannie Jackson always insisted we wear a coat and tie.

In 1986, Mannie Jackson helped to found the Executive Leadership Council, which was a group of African American corporate executives from various industries that would interact and build strong ties with one another.

In 1993, when the Harlem Globetrotters' popularity was beginning to decline, and the team was nearly bankrupt, Mannie Jackson purchased the team for $5.5 million.

Under Mannie Jackson's watch, the Globetrotters experienced an average annual revenue growth rate of 14 percent over 14 years.

Mannie Jackson remained non-executive chairman until 2011, and continues to hold a 20 percent stake.

Mannie Jackson is currently married to his wife Cathy, and has two daughters and a son.