Building community-powered cultural pipelines that connect neighborhood creativity to regional and national stages.

The Macks Impact Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing arts education, cultural programming, and community connection rooted in Black culture, HBCU excellence, and sustainable cultural infrastructure.

Through community-powered experiences, educational initiatives, and large-scale cultural activations, the organization leverages music and the arts as tools for cognitive development, creative expression, workforce readiness, youth engagement, and long-term community investment.

MIF exists to increase visibility, access, and opportunity within historically underrepresented communities while creating pathways that connect local creativity to regional and national platforms.

Founder’s Story | Why MIF Exists

The Macks Impact Foundation was founded by Jessica Macks, a Charlotte-based creative, cultural programmer, and graduate of Johnson C. Smith University with a lifelong connection to music, community engagement, and HBCU culture.

Jessica’s passion for music and marching band culture began at an early age after watching her older sister perform during a nationally televised HBCU halftime show. Seeing someone who looked like her represented on that stage sparked something deeper than entertainment, it created possibility. That moment inspired her to pick up the clarinet in sixth grade, eventually leading her into the world of marching band, performance, and arts leadership.

As a former member of Johnson C. Smith University’s marching band program, Jessica experienced firsthand the discipline, pride, community, and life-changing opportunities that music education and HBCU culture can provide. Those experiences would later shape her commitment to creating pathways for young people to access the same visibility, representation, and opportunities that influenced her own journey.

Through years of experience in event production, community programming, arts activation, and cultural engagement throughout Charlotte, Jessica recognized a larger need: ensuring that Black cultural experiences, HBCU traditions, and community-centered arts initiatives are not only celebrated, but sustainably supported and invested in for future generations.

The Macks Impact Foundation was created to build those pathways through arts education, cultural programming, youth engagement, scholarships, community partnerships, and large-scale initiatives that connect local creativity to regional and national platforms. At its core, the organization exists to ensure that communities creating culture are also empowered to shape, sustain, and benefit from it.

Our Mission

The Macks Impact Foundation exists to increase visibility, access, and long-term investment in Black arts, HBCU culture, music education, and community-centered cultural experiences.

Through arts programming, youth engagement, scholarships, cultural activations, and strategic partnerships, the foundation creates pathways that connect local creativity to regional and national opportunities.

Program Focus Areas

Arts Education & Youth Development

Supporting youth through music education, instrument access, scholarships, mentorship, and creative development opportunities that increase long-term access to arts participation.

HBCU Culture & Visibility

Elevating HBCU marching band culture and Black artistic excellence through community-centered programming, media visibility, and large-scale cultural initiatives.

Cultural Programming & Community Activation

Creating immersive cultural experiences, festivals, performances, and public activations that strengthen community connection, civic engagement, and cultural pride.

Community Economic Development

Providing opportunities for local artists, vendors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and small businesses through intentional cultural investment and economic participation.

Leadership, Service & Community Impact

Connecting arts and culture with volunteerism, service initiatives, educational engagement, and strategic partnerships that create long-term community impact.

Flagship Showcases

Large-scale events that amplify community talent and drive regional cultural and economic impact.

The People's Playlist

Community-powered music activations where residents curate the soundtrack of their neighborhoods through voting, storytelling, and live DJ-led events.