Candice Jackson, a seasoned coach and lifelong athlete, has almost two decades of experience developing top talent and identifying opportunities within women’s basketball. Driven by her steadfast belief in the transformative power of sports, she leverages her expertise to foster authentic connections, provide mentorship, and advocate for women in sports leadership.

Throughout her illustrious career, Jackson has embodied the role of mentor, particularly within the Women of Color group of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Since 2016, she has been actively involved in setting up initiatives to assist younger assistant coaches and potential head coaches, helping them navigate prevalent issues within women’s basketball and the world at large.

Additionally, Jackson is the current Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Her role includes player development, game planning, recruiting, video analysis, academic support, and team administration. Her contributions play a pivotal role in the program’s success, aligning perfectly with her mission to use basketball as a tool for personal growth and empowerment.

In addition to leading teams to multiple NCAA Elite Eight appearances and multiple regular season championships, Jackson has consistently landed top recruiting classes for programs, developed players into accomplished professional athletes, hired top coaches, and successfully managed program resources.

Before joining VCU, Jackson returned to her alma mater, Michigan State, as the Director of Recruiting Operations. Previously she was Head Coach at the College of Charleston and Assistant Coach at prestigious institutions such as the University of Buffalo, Duke University, Wake Forest University, and the University of Richmond.

The strength of Jackson’s convictions is exemplified by her vision for sports to play a significant role in women’s self-discovery and support. This vision, coupled with her mission to guide women to clarity, confidence, and connections through basketball, underpins her every action and accomplishment. Her experiences have been defined by challenges and triumphs, molding her into a resilient and inspirational figure on and off the court.

Jackson’s educational journey is a testament to her dedication and competitive spirit. She received her bachelor’s in Family & Community Services from Michigan State University, where she also played under Coach Joanne P. McCallie, representing her home state in back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.

Guided by her multidimensional perspective, Jackson is guiding student-athletes, coaches, and sports leaders to navigate their own journeys beyond the court. And her steadfast commitment to surmounting life’s adversities and ceaseless advocacy for women’s empowerment in athletics marks her as a trailblazing leader. Cementing her vision into action, Jackson is poised to not only inspire but revolutionize the sports landscape for generations to come.