Increase Impact: Father-son duo expand programming at Black-owned Christian TV network

By Taralyn James // Entertainment // EEW Magazine Online

Bishop Wayne T. Jackson and his son, Royal Jackson, are poised to take The Impact Network—a Black-owned, independent Christian television channel founded by Bishop Jackson in 2010—into a new season of expansion.

According to an Essence report, the founder, who doubles as Impact’s chief executive officer, promoted his son, Royal, from director of marketing to chief creative officer and head of original content.

Royal will oversee the network’s push to bring entertainment and lifestyle projects, like “Soul Food With Tara Wallace” (Love & Hip-Hop fame), to the forefront.

“We’re moving into original programming that will help uplift our people,” said the senior leader who is interested in increasing spiritual and practical programs in Black households.

“Back in the day, when I was coming up, we had the training of our elders, but we’re not getting that now,” he added.

The bishop, also senior pastor of Great Faith Ministries International based in Detroit and Atlanta, has lofty aspirations for Impact to become what he labels the “Black Hallmark.” He and his son are striving, through their Detroit-based, family-run media empire which boasts an average reach of 80 million households, to bring “consciousness up” through “entertainment and enrichment.”

The younger Jackson, a bright visionary with big plans, who honors the foundation of Bishop Jackson’s hard work, said, “My father’s success didn’t come from a master’s degree in business. It came from his life experience, trust in God, and faith in himself.”

Royal added, “When I chose to work for my dad, I was blessed to sit at his feet, where I learned humility, perseverance, and determination. All those things are the intangibles of business.”

Though the network is branching off into new territory, the recently elevated executive said the driving force behind all Impact does remains the same: “From the beginning, Impact aimed to serve the whole being—spirit, mind, soul, and body.”

Twelve years ago, Bishop Jackson and his wife, Dr. Beverly Y. Jackson, launched the broadcast network with a $150,000 investment from their savings and reached 200,000 homes. In little more than a decade, despite the difficulties COVID has caused for many Black-owned small businesses, Impact’s growth continues.

The network’s diverse family-oriented and gospel lifestyle programming is available through cable TV and satellite in the United States and Bahamas.