Coach Jackie Carson is a successful head women’s basketball coach at Furman University, Jackie Carson is a highly visible inspiration for Black people in our region, especially young Black women and girls who aspire to her profession. As a mother and wife, she inspires people everywhere who wonder if they can have busy personal, family, and professional lives. Carson is the first and only Black woman head coach in Furman history. In 2021 she was a Southern Conference Alfred White Trailblazer Recognition recipient, to honor Black student-athletes, faculty and administrators who have paved the way and contributed to the success of those who came after them in the league. She says, “I use basketball as a vehicle to inspire others. If it’s one little girl, if it’s one Black female that is wondering if she can do it, if there’s one girl that’s wondering if she can be a mom in this profession. If there’s one person, I can inspire to do any profession, that’s what my goal is.”