As founder of the OWN: Onyx Woman Network, she has built a legacy of celebrating and connecting Black women through leadership awards, business spotlights, and community partnerships.
Through her digital brands — Your Stylish Ways (YSW) and Yes, At My Age! — Ola inspires midlife women to redefine beauty, repurpose their spaces, and live with confidence and simplicity. Her message is clear: you’re not done yet — you’re just getting started.
When Ola Jackson launched a hard copy edition of Onyx Woman magazine decades ago, she set out to give Black women a platform to be seen, celebrated, and supported. That mission hasn’t changed — it has evolved. Today, Ola continues to uplift women through her multimedia brands that speak to every part of a woman’s life — from the boardroom to her beauty routine.
As the founder of the Onyx Woman Network, Ola has spent decades amplifying the voices of women in business and leadership. Her Onyx Woman Leadership Awards shine a light on unsung heroes — women who lead, mentor, and move their communities forward.
But as Ola entered midlife herself, a new message began to form — one about reinvention, reflection, and embracing change. That’s when Your Stylish Ways (YSW) and Yes, At My Age! were born.
Through Your Stylish Ways, Ola shares inspiration for women who want to feel good, look good, and live authentically — without unrealistic expectations or excess. Her relatable content on Instagram and YouTube empowers women to simplify, restyle, and repurpose — whether it’s their wardrobe, their home, or their outlook on life.
Her latest project, an upcoming book called Yes, At My Age! 10 Affirmations for Women Who Are Not Done Yet, captures her philosophy perfectly:
“Aging isn’t about slowing down; it’s about showing up differently.”
Ola’s approach to style and self-care is both realistic and practical. She believes that every woman, no matter her age, deserves to feel vibrant, valued, and visible. Her Turning 65 in 2025 journey is proof that growth doesn’t stop — it shifts.
When she’s not planning her next Onyx Woman event or filming for The NEW Network TV content, Ola can be found reading, engaging in self-care, or simply enjoying quiet moments in her “Serenity Space” — a repurposed room that symbolizes her own reinvention.
Her Life’s Work in One Line:
“Helping women invest in themselves — not just financially, but emotionally, spiritually, and stylishly.”
BRANDS & INITIATIVES
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🖤 Onyx Woman Network: Leadership recognition, empowerment, and financial wellness for women of color.
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💗 Your Stylish Ways: Style, self-care, and home décor inspiration for mature women.
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💚 Yes, At My Age!: A lifestyle movement and upcoming book empowering midlife reinvention.
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🎥 The NEW Network TV: A YouTube channel encouraging women to “try something new.”
Some of the AWARDS and Acknowledgements
- Talk Magazine Woman of Distinction 2016
- Pittsburgh Black Media Federation Legend Award 2012
- SBA Business Champion Award, 2010
- The New Pittsburgh Courier Women of Influence Award, 2009
- Robert Morris Alumni Award, 2007
- Pittsburgh Women in Business
- Ebenezer Church Woman of Distinction Award, 2002
- Negro Business & Professional Women’s, Business of Woman of the Year Award, 1999
- YWCA Homewood-Brushton Job Training Program Certificate of Appreciation, 1996
- Pittsburgh Courier Women of Excellence
- EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing)Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA, 1987Associate Degree in Specialized Business, (Retail Merchandising) Duff’s Business Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 1979
AFFILIATIONS, Current and Past:
Board of Directors of Metro Family Practice
Advisory Board for Allegheny County Women, Minority and Disadvantage Business Enterprise
Board of Directors of NEED
Board of Directors of the Hill House Association
Board of Trustees of Robert Morris University
Board of Directors CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates
Board of Director of WomansPlace
Some Television and Radio Show Appearance:
Elaine Effort KQV
Janet Taylor: Totally Organized Podcast Show
Walk in Power Radio
Joanne Quinn-Smith, PositivelyPittsburghLive Radio TV
The Impress of Biz with JoAnn Forrestor
Lynne Hayes-Freeland Show Television Show
Impact Television Show
Black Horizons Show
Design Your Life With Carla Radio Show
PCTV 21
Mommies Talk Podcast
Madamanoire Web site
Minority News Online
RADIO
Bev Smith Show
ONA BROWN Talk Show
Wealthy Sistas Radio
Soul Pitt Media Radio Show
Speaker:
An entertaining and informative presenter, Ola can address topics defining moments in your life as a result of parenting a special needs child into adulthood, to starting a business and lifestyle matters. Ola addresses matters in a realistic, humorous, yet enlightening manner.
Each One Reach One Conference
Our Street to Wall Street Conference
Becoming Conference
Duff Business School Speaker
Helen Faison School
The Goals Conference
Pittsburgh YWCA
Pittsburgh Black Media Federation Legacy Awards
Professional Women in Business
Bev Smith Conference
NAWBO Pittsburgh: NAWBO DAY
Sisters Talking Stock Conference
Black Women Building Wealth Conference
Testimony
Kudos to a wonderful presentation
I’m really glad for the opportunity to catch this speaker in Phoenix recently. She was engaging, funny and right on point while reaching her target audience at the “Each One, Reach One” conference sponsored by The Message Church. She connected with business owners, caregivers, homeless women, women in transition, domestic violence survivors, all at the same time. She knew her target audience and left us with information and tools to cope through our struggles. Kudos to a wonderful presentation, Ola Jackson!
Michele Greer
Arizona
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Coaching
