Announcer 0:00 This is a KU NV studios original program. Wesley Knight 0:04 The content of this program does not reflect the views or opinions of 91.5 jazz and more the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, or the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Tanya Flanagan 0:19 Good morning and thank you for joining me for the scoop with Tanya Flanagan, I'm so happy you decided to wake up and start your day with me here on the scoop, where we talk about life, joy, funny moments, trending topics and so much more. We promise to keep you in the know and find out what you know. So let's get started. You Tanya Flanagan 0:47 I am so delighted to say good morning to my listening audience, thank you for waking up and joining me. We are in Black History Month, and it is a pleasure to welcome my guests this morning I have with me. Nevada State Assembly Member, Joe von Jackson, representing District Six. Jovan Jackson 1:05 Thank you. Thank you, Assembly Member. Good morning to everyone. I'm so happy and excited to be on air next to my fellow state lawmaker of assembly district seven. You know, we got six seven in the building. Tanya Flanagan 1:22 I never thought I'd have a moment to play with that, but leave it to you, yeah, to be so cool and to recognize how to work in the trends that the kids are saying. Someone said to me, it has no real meaning. It's just like this loose random, you know, whatever thing Jovan Jackson 1:39 I could Yeah, yeah, I have a child, and she just out of randomly, says, six, seven. I'm just like, oh my please stop. Tanya Flanagan 1:48 You know, I think moments like that keep us young. I wanted to invite you in to talk about your session experience. I've had you on before. You've been on before, and you talked about your life journey and everything you've overcome to arrive at the place of being a representative in the assembly for the state of Nevada. And to that, I tip my hat and say kudos to you. Thank you. Thank you for the work that you do. Thank you for the sacrifice. 83rd session and a special session. 37 special session. I think it was 3637 special Jovan Jackson 2:21 session. Don't remind me of special session. Tanya Flanagan 2:23 It was something, right? It was special. It was special. That's why they call it that. How did you feel at the end of session? I mean, because people say sometimes you want to first. What was the highlight of the legislative session for you and folks, we convene the legislature, for those who don't know the cycle for 120 days every other year in odd years. So from February 3 to June 3 of 2025 we were in Carson City on a daily basis at State Capitol meeting on issues that affect the state, across the entire state, for whatever it might have been, housing, education, health care, cyber security, work, employment, insurance, health care, just everything, retirement, so And each one of us carried and presented bills and learned a process and tried to become smarter and wiser In that space as we work through the relationships. For you, what was the highlight of the session? Jovan Jackson 3:26 One of the highlights for me was being on the assembly floor during the week that we recognize assembly a man, Tyrone Thompson, and we celebrate his life and legacy in the assembly. And I know they put a rock out front of the Legislative Building and in remembrance of Him. And that same day, I had jagata Chambers from the mass liberation project. He was organizing this event called the formerly incarcerated people Day at the Capitol, and it just aligns so perfectly with the celebration of Tyrone Thompson, because he was one of the first lawmakers to guide the mass liberation project and jagata chambers, and to be a part of that full circle moment with me being the legislator, you know, kind of picking picking up in that advocacy around those formerly incarcerated. It felt good to have that day written into, you know, state, state, state law history, yeah, state history. So that was just so amazing to me, and to be a part of that moment. And I said another, like big moment for me was just passing and introducing legislation that I know impact communities, and introducing legislation that I know that will help people. To me, that was the best part of session, being able to advocate for your own legislation, knowing that this will help people. Pool. Tanya Flanagan 5:00 I totally can relate to that. I understand that. I think my the bill for me, that was my baby was, I mean, everything was, everything is so important. But the baby for me was probably a before 28 which deals with the breast cancer, cancer survivorship and ovarian cancer, allowing women to have access to IVF that's covered through insurance that will kick in on January 1 of 2027 because as a cancer survivor, to be able to bring a life story, a journey, a lived experience, just as you're saying, right, to bring a lived experience into that building the people's house, and find some level of equity for those who can't represent themselves, who suffer from hardships that we are, faith that we face every day in life, is a huge opportunity. As a legislator. It's a big responsibility, and it's it's an unforgettable experience. Jovan Jackson 5:55 Yes, your voice is power, and as a state legislator, you speak for your community and you speak for your state, and it, I will say, being a legislator has shown me, like the true power of my voice. And it's not always legislation that's going to, you know, get through, but you getting behind your community, and you creating an outlet for your community to be heard is like one of the most powerful things. I remember lobbyists come into my office, and you know they were talking about health care bills, and you know, me, myself, also a cancer survivor, I'm like, of course, of course, I will support this like it should be no argument of why we're not supporting accessible health care. So it felt good to be in those conversation and in those rooms, Tanya Flanagan 6:40 having had the experience, you had certain things that were on your agenda the first time, right? Let's talk about what those were, and is your focus still the same after going to Carson City? Has your focus evolved? So what was, what were your priorities before, and where are they now? Jovan Jackson 7:00 So as the first formerly incarcerated elected official in the state legislator, you know, my priority was around criminal justice reform, workforce development, and we were able to pass legislation that, you know, created criminal justice reform and created a workforce pipeline for those who wanted to be wildlife firefighters, and I definitely wanted to continue that work, but I also don't want to necessarily put myself in a box. And a lot of people know my identity off of being formerly incarcerated, because I wanted to make an emphasis on, you know, redemption. But my identity is much bigger than that. You know, I served in doing social services and mental health services for 10 years. I'm a current college student at UNLV. You know, I'm an entrepreneur, so I definitely want to broaden my scope of legislation and let people know that, you know, I'm more than criminal justice reform, I care about all people and all situations that impact people, so I definitely want to broaden my scope of legislation next session. Tanya Flanagan 8:08 That's awesome, and kudos to you. The bill that opened the door to allow formerly incarcerated people who worked in the volunteer fire service capacity while incarcerated to be able to pursue employment in that space is brilliant. It's a great it's a great effort to push for opportunity and to help meet the need in the community for the Fire Safety Service to allow people who've been working here, who we've trained, to understand because it's a it's a pathway to once you have completed. So you know your your sentence, your time served, to have a way forward, right? So, I mean, I remember that the bill and and the discussions around it, so I want to say thank you. I remember thinking I was really proud of you for that bill. So I want to say thank you for bringing that forward and championing the cause and getting it across the finish line, because that was cool. Jovan Jackson 9:07 Thank you Assemblywoman, and you know, thank you. One of the bills that I'm proud of you is the community garden bill, because the Bodo Collective is dear to my heart, and I know that legislation helps those type of organizations and those type of gardens a floor. So thank you for, you know, doing the great work for the state. Tanya Flanagan 9:27 Thank you so much more work to be done in that space. And my life is shifting. You know, it's shifting gears as I have an opportunity presented before me to move in a different direction, to continue to do good work for families and to keep our families into that safe switching to a Clark County role. But that is a near and dear to project that is near and dear to me, and I hope that, because it was like the first step right, actually, former Senator Pat Spearman started the work in that. At with the overlay maps to look at where urban gardens and community farms, community gardens and urban farms could be erected in sort of a partnership capacity with municipalities. And then I came back and said, Well, let's look at, let's really look at our state and say, how do we do this? And so that's where that came from. And then the next step, of course, is really getting to a point where we manage it and there's it creates work and opportunity and growth and education, and it improves communities and families investments in that. So thank you for that compliment. As we as you prepare, because we're going into another season of campaigning, and you're about to get out there and door knock. And today was one of the this week we've seen, I should say, not as much today, but this week we've seen one of the warmest weeks for still a winter month. It's hot, it's hot when you out there doing a door knocking thing. So are you looking I mean, but for me, that's one of the best parts of it. What about you? What is the best? What is the best part of campaigning? Jovan Jackson 11:10 It's door knocking. It's it's like a hustle, you know, you just like, you want to get out there, you want to knock on the doors, you want to be in the community. And to me, when you have a elected official or a candidate that is passionate about door knocking and talking to voters face to face, those are the best candidates. Those are the best people to represent you in office. So I look forward to door knocking. Vegas does have some intense heat, and it easily could get up to, you know, in the hundreds, and I remember door knocking, and I, you know, I got this bald head, and I got this wet rag on top of my head because I'm getting light headed. And it's just like, but you just want to keep going, because, you know, you you want to get every voter to know who you are. So I love it. I love the process. And not everyone appreciate the process, but that is the main part of the process, is getting out in the community and knowing who your voters are. So I loved it. I love it, and I look forward to doing it. I remember that was one of the most nervous things that I thought, was to knock on someone's door and, you know, tell, hey, I'm this guy running for office. Can you vote for me? And once you, you know, get over your first couple of doors, then you, you, you realize that you're not selling yourself. You letting people know who you are and what you're willing to fight for. Tanya Flanagan 12:34 I think that is a crucial point, because it takes time to realize you're not, you're not doing it for yourself. Like people say, Oh, you want to be an office, but no, it's for the good of the community, right? Like, what concerns you is what I'm here to talk about and try to champion. Because people will say to me, and they may say to you, people said to you, what bills are you going to carry? You know, what legislation are you? And you talked about having a criminal justice platform, and there are things we're passionate about, but what did in where we are in our society? Now, what are you hearing is the most important thing, and what are you going to be? What are you looking at in that space as people voice, because we have so much happening. We have these ice situations. We have, you know, the deportation, the the immigration law conflicts. We have affordability. We have a housing crisis. We have wages in terms of jobs, and afford affordability, to just be able to live. What are you hearing? What are these conversations like for you right now? And what do you have to say to people about it. Jovan Jackson 13:41 So I recently had a town hall, and we canvass many parts of Assembly District Six, and a lot of people are concerned about ice and immigration. And to me, that's like the most immediate concern, the most visible threat that people could see. But of course, cost of living is housing is out of control. Going to the grocery store, you might as well go to the convenience store because it's the same price. I think this issue around immigration is it we live in a very unique state, the UNLV itself is probably one of the most diverse universities in the nation, and when we have a federal agency administration that has their perception of what is criminal, what is American and what is law abiding, it's a fear for a community that as diverse as ours. So looking into next legislation session, session, I do want to protect our communities from, you know, ice, if they're acting inappropriate, or if they if they're not acting within the law. And our communities deserve that, and we, I really, truly feel that we have a law enforcement that carries their self to a different standard, because. Of our diverse communities, and ice has not shown that they have that same level of experience and expertise. Tanya Flanagan 15:08 Super important points that you make, and as you talk about diversity, I think it's also important that we paint a clear picture of District Six, because you have one you have a very diverse area, you have a very cultural area, and it's very historic at the same time. So because your district is home to the Moulin Rouge, decades ago, the first segregated casino and hotel. So District Six, I'm gonna let you run the boundaries so people are familiar with where you represent. Jovan Jackson 15:39 District Six is from Bonanza to Cheyenne in about Rancho to it runs down to Pecos. I will say the two main zip codes in my district is 89106, and 89030, but we do have parts of eight, nine with 115 and 107 so it's the central part of Vegas, the historic west side, in older parts of North Las Vegas, across Civic Center. Tanya Flanagan 16:08 And I wanted to make sure people knew that, because people, you say District Six, and they're like, well, where's that? You know, what is that? So I didn't want to have a conversation in jargon. I wanted to make it a visible place and clear that you can see you talked about the obodo project, which sits at is it? Jovan Jackson 16:29 We got Mario's we got hamburger hood. I know people know their food spots, so if we got Jerry's nugget. So all those restaurants are in Assembly District Six, and we have the walnut rec, the Pearson center, Doolittle Lorenzi Park, just so people give a better idea. And we are the historic district, like you said, we at one point in time, we Las Vegas was segregated, and you had to live on the other side of the tracks in the neighborhood that my my family lives in now, was once segregated, and they were one of the first black families to live in North Las Vegas when when integration occurs. So it's rooted in that. And I think it's important that you have a representative that is rooted in social justice of all people. And that's why, you know, I, as a black legislator, I still think it's very important that, you know, we get it out in front of what's going on in ice and with immigration. Tanya Flanagan 17:29 I think so too, and I think that today is a great day for this conversation, as we are in Black History Month, having the opportunity. I'm talking with Nevada State Assembly Member, Javon Jackson, who represents District Six, an area historically red lined for African Americans to live, home to the now removed but historic Moulin Rouge. And if you ever visit the Neon Museum the bone yard, you will see that glowing sort of hot pink ish red Moulin Rouge sign, and just home to so many great people and wonderful families. And as we look at the transformation I think this country and what the role that Nevada plays, I think that it is important to have conversations and to know who represents you. And so that's why I invited Assembly Member Jovan Jackson, District Six on the show today here at 91.5 KU, MV, jazz and more, to talk about his career, his blossoming career as a state legislator. As a community voice, I'm not going to call you a politician, because I don't know that just kind of doesn't quite do it justice, but as a community voice making the self sacrifice to be concerned with others more so than you are with yourself, motivated by your life. What were the initial thoughts in that in that vein that made you want to run for office in the first place? Jovan Jackson 18:58 Running for office, I felt was opportunity to uplift my voice and the things that I wanted to fight for, you know, mental health, criminal justice reform, affordable housing. And being a native of Vegas, I remember, not too long ago, rent was $500 and and now we're looking at those same places that where it's 1500 I'm someone that has, you know, lived experience around, you know, having a breakdown and ending up and incarcerated through having mental health issues. And I remember there was a point in time where I felt like I was voiceless, and I felt that it was important, you know, once I was able to heal and grow, that I brought a voice to those who are voiceless, those that you know may not have the ability or even the position to speak for themselves and advocate for their self. And I got very involved in. In community organizing with plan and mass liberation. And my first trip to the legislator was in 2019 and I remember advocating for policy change, testifying hearings and and being in that building, I seen the legislators in the building, and I I said, You know what, I'm good enough and I'm unqualified enough to do what these individuals were doing. It. It took that trip to solidify, like, this is where I belong. And then so I I did another Lobby Day with plan and mass lib, and I ran for office, I lost, and I learned, and I realized my real passion was in legislation, and that state legislation has the biggest impact because it covers the entire state. So I just, you know, follow my passion. And at the time I just got over stage three cancer, I wasn't working. I just had surgery chemotherapy, and the only thing that really I kept in the back of my head while getting those chemo treatments while being sick was running for office, and I I figured, like, you know, I wanted to wait. I wanted to get my record sealed. I wanted to, you know, have this, you know, this ideal set up. But when you're like, this close from, you know, losing your life, you're like, I got to do things now. And so I figured this is something that always had thoughts of running for office. And tomorrow's not promised. Next year is not promised. So through surviving cancer and beating cancer, I figure out I face my worst nightmares and my biggest fears and overcame those things. So I might as well run for office and pursue my dreams. Tanya Flanagan 21:56 I'm glad you did have people come to you and kudos to you. I mean, I can't really praise you enough, because the courage it takes to face fears and to set out on the journey that you set out on is huge. I'm sure people come up to you unexpectedly all the time and tell you that you're their hero or you're a role model. You inspire them. You're an example of of of the next chapter of having more when it seems like hope is lost and it's just a desperate a desperate circumstance. So I know people must come up to you all the time and just say thank you for being this beacon of light and being willing, because sometimes we go through things in life and we feel like they're embarrassing experiences, and we don't want to, we don't want to share. We don't want the light shine on and we don't want to, we don't want anybody to know. But you said, Here I am transparent as I am, and here's what I'm intending to do. And to that, I say, thank you for being brave enough to do that with your life and with your space. I want to make sure, speaking of people who are inspired by you have a way to get to you know, get to know you more, contact you if they want to have a conversation, partner with you, if that's what evolves and comes of it. Because legislation at in this legis in Nevada is a citizen centric legislature where citizen ideas are sometimes what drive policy. So you never know when there's an opportunity to collaborate. So with that, how do people find you follow you learn more about the assembly member, Joe von Jackson of District Six. Jovan Jackson 23:41 Thank you for Jovan Jackson 23:46 that west side. You can find me on the west side. You know that's a good way to find me. You can find me on the west side. Also find me at www dot Jovan Jackson 24:00 Jovan jackson.com and that has my Instagram, my Facebook, all linked onto that, that site. And Jovan is J, O, V, A, N, so www, dot Jovan jackson.com Tanya Flanagan 24:15 and when I said a moment ago about a collaboration, sometimes the simplest thing happening in your neighborhood is something that can become a law, and you may not realize that what you're suffering through, enduring whatever don't like irritates you think is a shortcoming, is something that can be presented, carried as a bill, passed through both houses, the Assembly and the Senate and forwarded on to the governor and signed into law, and it will change this thing that's driving you nuts, maybe driving someone else nuts, you know? And it's really that simple. I've been one of my bills Vegas chamber called and said, Have you, are you familiar with state website? And I was like, yeah. Us and how it does XYZ, and you can't see the meetings and Open Meeting Law. I'm like, yeah, that drives me crazy. And I'm standing there going, I can fix that now. Like, I mean, for me, that's one of the greatest things, recognizing and then educating the community more on how to engage in the process that is so valuable as we I think our country is evolving in a different way now, right? Because woke has a whole different meaning, right? It's spinning into, are you woke and engaged to understand what's happening, why you can't be asleep, right? Like we need a whole nother 30 minutes to talk about how you woke and engaged? Can we talk about why you can't be asleep, on what's happening, right? Engaging in the process, young people, engaging in the process, the mindsets and mentalities I was at Vegas preview the other week that Vegas chamber had at that at the one of the hotels on the strip. And as economic analysis, done by Jeremy Aguero, who everybody knows most of the time, applied analysis broke down expenses, cost, how people are spending, I think it was like $310,000 plus to raise a child. Now for the average family afford to raise a child. And it talked about how people the subscriptions families have when they have subscriptions, $400 a year more spent on subscriptions to streaming services like it. Just looked at these different things that not everyone gets to enjoy. So I was like, Well, yeah, but everybody's not streaming. Some people are just trying to be able to buy food, which you talked about when we first started, how unaffordable that is, but I just want to say thank you for continuing to shine a light on it. Jovan Jackson 26:47 You're welcome. And it's it's sad to say in 2026 you, you are a progressive if you want affordable groceries, affordable gas and affordable housing. And to me, those are the basic things, and it's sad that like that, that's almost revolutionary in 2026 and we shouldn't be here. We shouldn't be in this state, and we deserve more as American citizens, as citizens and as Nevadans. Tanya Flanagan 27:15 So what's next? We have about three minutes, two minutes to talk about what's next? Jovan Jackson 27:21 Well, I'm looking forward to regular section. I'm looking the election's coming up. I file for office next month, so I'm excited to knock some doors and work on some legislation that will help Nevadans and help affordability and just continue to be that voice and continue to have that advocacy, and also focus on myself, because you can, you can't fully pour into the community if you're not pouring into yourself. So I look forward to completing my degree. I'm a student here at UNLV, and I have about four classes from my bachelor's in psychology. So I'm looking forward to getting my bachelor's and pursuing my, you know, masters and with aspirations, but becoming a clinical social worker and so pouring into myself and continue to pour into the community. So that's, that's what's next for me. Tanya Flanagan 28:17 Well, I can't wait to graduation day and the party. Folks, thank you for tuning in and listening and getting to know assembly member Joe von Jackson of District Six. We've left his website for you. Joe von jackson.com if you want to get to know Him, if you'd like to work on the campaign or anything you'd like to do to be engaged and part of the process that makes our community better. From 89106, District Six, historic West Side and beyond, because it spreads across the whole valley. But as always, thank you for tuning in to a wonderful Sunday morning conversation. Thank you for being here until next time. I'll see you, then stay tuned to 91.5 KU, MV, jazz and more. Thanks, assembly member, thank you. I want to thank you for tuning into the scoop with me Tonya Flanagan, and I want to invite you to get social with me. I'm on Facebook and Twitter. My name is my handle, T, a n, y, A F, l, a n, a G, A N. You can also find me on Instagram at Tonya almonds Flanagan, and if you have a thought, an opinion or a suggestion, don't hesitate to shoot me an email to tonya.flanagan@unlv.edu Thanks again for joining in. Stay safe and have a great week. You. Transcribed by https://otter.ai