Biography

Creative, artistic, optimistic, and persistent are a few words used to describe Dewayne Jackson. Although he has a designer’s perspective, Dewayne has a knack for being able to learn and efficiently utilize various types of technology and software. He has an intellectual, academic side that leads him to research, evaluate, and study various topics; as well as, analyze current practices and procedures in order to improve the systems in which he lives and work.

Dewayne was born and raised in Valdosta (Lowndes County), a South Georgia metropolitan community, where he received a B.S. in Biology and a M.Ed. in Instructional Technology at Valdosta State University. In 1993, Dewayne joined the Mu Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, and today he is currently an active member of the local alumni chapter, Kappa Tau Lambda.

He has 15 years of experience designing and developing websites, and currently works in higher education as an Instructional Technology Specialist in eLearning. In this capacity, Dewayne helps instructors design and develop their courses for online, hybrid, or face to face classes. This support includes selecting the best and appropriate online tools that fit the instructor’s teaching strategy and that help students accomplish course objectives and goals.

In 2007, Dewayne founded ValdostaConnect.com, a social network that now has over seven thousand members. This website energized many far away natives, school alumni, and current and past residents to get reconnected in ways that they had never experienced.

Genealogy has been a long time enjoyable and rewarding hobby for Dewayne. He has researched his family tree since 1999 and his efforts were featured on iReport for CNN.  He has discovered amazing and inspiring information that makes him appreciate the possesions he has obtained and truly appreciates spending time with family and friends. Trying to understand how and in what social climate his ancestors lived has spurred a passion for history. Through genealogy and history Dewayne has discovered family and local resident ties to Liberia.

Dewayne grew up with photos displayed in many of rooms in his house. His father framed many family portraits and displayed them in the hallways and living room. Dewayne's father also had several large photo albums filled with pictures of his military days, and of Dewayne and his brothers growing up. Dewayne has spent countless times looking through these albums. Seeing his family photos and those taken of his ancestors inspired him to buy his own cameras and do his part in capturing family memories. In 2007, Dewayne purchased a Canon Digital Rebel and seriously began learning the craft of photography. His interests are in Social and Stock Photography.