WASHINGTON--Chicago's Phillip Jackson--former CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority and former Chicago Public Schools deputy chief of staff, a veteran of Mayor Richard M. Daley's City Hall, will be honored Tuesday at the White House for his work to further education in the African American community. He is the executive director of the organization he founded, the Black Star Project.

He will be honored as one of ten "champions of change."

"President Obama has made providing a complete and competitive education for all Americans - from cradle to career - a top priority," said Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett in a statement; her governmental roots also stretch back to Chicago's City Hall.

"That's why, last summer, he signed an executive order to establish the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. This week, we look forward to welcoming Champions of Change who have been working to ensure that all African American students receive an education that fully prepares them for high school graduation, college completion, and productive careers."

On Jackson, from the White House: "Phillip Jackson was born into and resided in public housing in Chicago. Mr. Jackson attended eleven Chicago public schools with varying levels of success. He graduated from Roosevelt University with honors with a degree in Philosophy and studied education at National College of Education. In his career, he has served as senior vice president of operations for a large retail book chain; assistant budget director for the City of Chicago; chief of staff for Chicago Public Schools; chief executive officer for the Chicago Housing Authority; chief for education for the City of Chicago; and president and chief executive officer for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. He is founder and executive director of The Black Star Project, which works to create globally competitive, globally compassionate, globally cooperative students, parents, families, and communities."

From the White House, on the Champions of Change program: It "was created as a part of President Obama's Winning the Future initiative. Each week, the White House features a group of Americans - individuals, businesses and organizations - who are doing extraordinary things to empower and inspire members of their communities."