The campaign symbolizes unity and advocacy through the color purple, which represents courage, strength, and survival in the fight against domestic violence” Portia Shipman, Paint the City Purple Campaign ™ Initiative vision and purpose is effective resources to provide the following:
a. Support local, state and national laws that provide protection and accountability. Facilitate public and profe
ssional entities to understand and effectively address domestic violence as a critical issue. Provide effective resources for victims, perpetrators, families and communities. Work with survivors, children of survivors and family members in finding the proper resources to help stop others from dealing with the loss of family members or friends. Serve as an advocate in churches, schools, hospitals, court rooms and other venues where a victim may go for help. Use the story of Sherri Jackson to save lives for other women, through exhibits, the arts, theatrical performances and special community intervention events. Host teen drug-free and non-violent educational seminars, group discussions and talent performances. The Sherri Denese Jackson Foundation concluded its impactful 13-year journey on June 26, 2021. The Founder and Executive Director, alongside her dedicated board members, made the decision to transition, empowering Portia Shipman to pursue her aspirations on a global scale as a distinguished international spokesperson and expert on domestic violence. Portia continues to lead the Paint the City Purple Campaign, a vital initiative that has taken place every October since 2015, raising awareness and advocating for change. Expanding her efforts, she now collaborates with colleges and universities as a contractor, spearheading the Paint the Campus Purple Safe Dating Education Webinars. In addition to her advocacy work, Portia has authored the memoir "Those Sandals," which reflects on the formative experiences of her youth. Portia passionately asserts, "Prevention and education are the keys to ending domestic violence everywhere." ABOUT SDJF:
Sherri Denese Jackson Foundation for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Inc. (SDJF) - a Greensboro-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization was founded on June 26, 2008, on behalf of Sherri's mother, Clara Jackson, who hoped no mother would experience the pain of losing a daughter to domestic violence, as she did. The foundation is committed to helping survivors and victims of domestic violence heal, and live trauma-free. Through generous donations, the Sherri Denese Jackson Foundation provides programs and emergency shelter for victims and survivors, free of charge. The organization has an impressive local, state and national footprint. In 2010, when just a 2-year young nonprofit, the SDJF became the first "Community Foundation Greater Greensboro’s Women To Women Initiative" grant recipient. Sherri's untold story of “Passion Turned Deadly” first aired on TV One’s Fatal Attraction, January 8, 2018. The story was also featured on Oxygen, Buried in the Backyard “Tangled Web” first aired on May 27, 2019. And most recently, her story premiered on Investigation Discovery Network on June 11, 2020, Dead Reckoning “Hidden Evil”
The organization has impacted the lives of thousands through the kindness of generous donors. The Foundation works closely with local advocates, women groups and organizations such as the Family Services of the Piedmont, Women Resource Center, YWCA, Human Relations Commission, Guilford County Family Justice Center. "Paint The City Purple Campaign™", its trademark domestic violence awareness campaign, is gaining recognition, nationwide. SDJF mission is to prevent and stop domestic violence by creating awareness and offering preventative tools within communities on the local, state and national levels.
