Celebrating Black History: Remembering the legacy of James O. Jessie

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) - For Black History Month, News Channel 3 will be spotlighting Black trailblazers and pioneers who've had a significant impact on the Coachella Valley. James O. Jessie was the director for parks and recreation in Palm Springs, and the manager for the Desert Highland Unity Center for decades. He was known to community members as "Uncle James."

"He was a role model. He was a father figure. He was someone that made sure that you did better in life," says Jarvis Crawford, the current manager for the James O.Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center. Crawford also serves as president for the Palm Springs Black History Committee.

He was well-known for empowering youth by encouraging them to participate in sports and enjoy the outdoors. He founded the Desert Highland drill team and drum squad, and often took youth on field trips.

"He showed us that there was life outside Palm Springs," says Monica Turner, his daughter.

In 2000, he took the kids on an annual fishing trip. On the trip, one boy started drowning. After jumping in the water to save the young boy, the current took James O. Jessie, ultimately leading to his death.

"For everybody out here, he was Uncle James. So everybody lost an uncle that day," says Turner.

Turner and Hall say his legacy continues on in the lives he touched and that he instilled many life lessons in the youth he worked with.

"To be proud of themselves, to be proud of their heritage," Turner says.