From the Yard to the World: Emmy-Winning Producer Jason K. Ingram Says Jackson State’s Community & Mentorship Make It Prime Time

Written By: Dani Canada

Don’t sleep on Jackson State. That’s the message a seven-time Emmy-winning producer is sharing about his HBCU experience. Years before Coach Deion Sanders brought the Mississippi school to prime time (pun intended), Jason K. Ingram obtained skills that would lead to his award-winning career.

The Chicago native who knew he wanted to attend an HBCU, took a chance attending the school he felt led to by divine intervention while touring other Historically Black Colleges like Southern and FAMU.

“I didn't know what school I was going to go to and I told God, ‘The first school I see tomorrow, that's the school I'm going to,’” said Ingram. "The next day, I told my dad, ‘Hey, Dad, let me get that Jackson State shirt, I'm going to wear it today.’” And I remember I froze and was like, "Wow." I literally asked God, and he literally told me.”

As fate would have it, the school turned out to be the perfect choice and Ingram remembers being captivated by the sense of community and camaraderie among his peers. One of his fondest memories is the freshman assembly held on the first Friday of school where he experienced a welcoming environment unlike any other.

“It literally was the greatest kickback of all time,” he told OffTheYard. “You just walked around, and said, ‘How you doing?’, and you met people from not just Mississippi but everywhere across the country.”

In addition to sharpening his people skills, the Associate Producer for 'HBCU Go'/ Associate Director for 'NBA on TNT', says his school taught him to thrive as he received mentorship from the likes of ‘GMA3: What You Need to Know’ co-anchor DeMarco Morgan, the very first person he met on campus.

Ingram is not only grateful for the mentorship of his peer, but also for the teachings of Jackson State faculty like Dr. Mark G. Henderson and the late Dr. Vernon Archer who nurtured him and gave him life lessons.

Those lessons coupled with seeing fellow J-State alumni like Morgan and NPR ‘Tiny Desk’ host Bobby Carter thrive motivate him even as people don’t give their beloved HBCU the recognition it deserves.

“The Jackson State people I’m affiliated with have all helped me, and I have no problem giving them the praise,” said Ingram. “One thing about Jackson State is that we go hard [for our school and alumni] because we’re not one of the big five; Hampton, Howard, FAMU, Spelman, and Morehouse. I'm lucky enough to say I'm living the dream, and Jackson State had a lot to do with it.”

Ultimately, the media professional who's up for two more Emmys, wants to remind potential Jackson State attendees and grads to network as the people of the southern school are vital resources.

"You have to reach out to people in your network," said Ingram to OffTheYard. "I'm huge on [thinking] that if somebody did it before me, I need to know them. I want to know where you went wrong and if you could do it over, what would you do? I don't want to know your success. Everybody's success story is different, but everybody's failures are the same."