Jackson was born to Charles and Cora Ruth Richardson , and grew up in Richmond , Virginia . In 1963 she was one of the first black students admitted into her high school , from which she graduated in 1967 . She went on to major in business management at Virginia Commonwealth University ( BBA 1971 ) , and continued her studies at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania ( MBA 1973 ) . Richardson first met Maynard Jackson , at that time the first black mayor of Atlanta , in 1976 at a party hosted by singer Roberta Flack . They were married in 1977 , and she became stepmother to his three children from his previous marriage , later giving birth to two girls of their own , Valerie Amanda and Alexandra . During her husband 's tenure as mayor , she served as advisor to the city 's economic development program , bringing to Atlanta such national and international events as the 1988 Democratic National Convention and the 1996 Summer Olympics
1988 Democratic National Convention
1988 Democratic National Convention
Valerie Jackson