Nanny Jack & Co.

Nanny Jack was Philip’s great grandmother. She was the grand matriarch, not only of the family but of the block in West Baltimore where she and her family lived. Everyone there called her Nanny or Nanny Jack. ("Jack" was short for "Jackson," which was her last name and is Philip’s middle name.) She had raised some of her grandchildren from infancy, including Philip’s mother. There existed a special bond between Philip’s mother and Nanny Jack - so much so that more often than not they did not have to speak words to communicate.

Nanny was 71 years old when Philip was born, and the bond between the two of them was even more special than the relationship between Nanny Jack and Philip's mother. In fact, on the eve of Philip’s birth Nanny had to take to her bed because her water broke and she experienced extreme pain as she helped labor to bring Philip into the world. (Philip’s mother, on the other hand and to everyone’s amazement, experienced only mild discomfort. She credits Nanny Jack with bearing most of the pain for her.) When Philip was brought home from the hospital and placed in Nanny's arms he immediately became "Nanny Jack’s boy."

It was at her breast, on her lap, at her knee, and by her side that Philip learned to value  the wisdom of age and to collect the stories of people and things around him. Nanny Jack said he was going to be a preacher one day; thus the Biblical spelling of his name (with one "l"). In a sense, her prophecy has been fulfilled: his calling goes far beyond collecting, as he preaches and teaches about the collective journey - including the victories and defeats - of African American people.

"She was a tower of strength in the community - everyone knew they could count on her for advice, money, food, or shelter.  And I could count on her for a good beating when one was in order," recalls Merrill.

    "There was never any question about what to call our company.  Nanny Jack was the glue that held our family together, and I wanted her  strong and persevering spirit to be the foundation  of our firm. "

Last modified: 09/22/05