Jackson-Breland: A Trailblazer and Now a Hall of Famer
3/4/2025 9:10:00 AM | Women's Basketball
“The Hall of Fame wasn’t even on my radar. I’m a Trailblazer. I’m not looking for any other honors. When you least expect it, things just fall into your lap. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed — again — but happy.” - Keeva Jackson-Breland
Keeva Jackson-Breland returned to Wake Forest in late 2023 to join former basketball teammate Sonya Henderson to be recognized as the latest Robert Grant and Kenneth "Butch" Henry Trailblazer Award winners, They were the first Black scholarship female athletes at Wake Forest, playing for the Demon Deacons in the mid-1980s.
For Jackson-Breland, the visit was an overwhelming mix of joy, discovery and sweet reunion.
It was also cathartically healing for Jackson-Breland, who was still processing the grief of losing her mother, Ellis Matilda Jackson — to whom Jackson-Breland credits for all the successes in her life.
"My mother was a big part of my journey," Jackson-Breland said.
"Mommy, we did it," Jackson-Breland said she kept thinking during the celebratory weekend.
"All the work she put in, all the work I put in—it wasn't for nothing. It meant something. It really meant something."
Jackson-Breland will be recognized again this coming weekend, this time as part of the 2025 Wake Forest Hall of Fame induction class. But once again, she'll need the power of healing, as she unexpectedly lost her husband just a few short months ago.
"I'm still in a state of shock, but I know I have to go on, and I know my husband would want me to do this—as do I—but it's not easy," she said. "Death is never easy, especially when it's unexpected.
"I know my mother and my husband would want me to participate in this. And I do too—because I deserve it. I deserve this honor, and I owe it to Wake Forest to be there, to show up for them recognizing me in this way. I am looking forward to it. I'm getting myself together and I'll be more put together. Not a hundred percent, but I'll be ready—to participate and to be honored."
Encouraged and motivated by her mother, Jackson-Breland arrived at Wake Forest University with two main objectives — dominating on the basketball court and earning her degree. She initially prioritized basketball, the strong foundation laid by her mother ensured that education was always at the forefront.
Growing up in New York, Jackson-Breland developed her skills playing against top competition, including her brother, Keven Jackson, who attended UVA and later became a dentist.
"Keven would always choose me first when we would play pickup basketball games when we were growing up," she said. "However, he did not choose me because I was his sister, it was because I was better than most of the guys."
Under the guidance of legendary New York State Hall of Fame coach Risa Zander, Jackson-Breland gained attention from several top programs before ultimately selecting Wake Forest.
"Wake Forest was initially my first or second choice, but I felt comfortable going there because of that relationship," she said. "I didn't even visit Wake Forest. I went because of my coach, Risa Zander. I felt a warmth and connection there."
It didn't take Jackson-Breland long to make a positive impact. She led the team in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, and steals as both a freshman and sophomore.
"I could do everything on the court," she said. "I could handle the ball, rebound and shoot. I grew up playing with guys, so I was tough. I was strong. I was a multi-talented athlete."
She was quick to note that the same facility in which the women's team practiced back in those times was used for the Trailblazer Award ceremony in late 2023.
"That building — with all that workout equipment, the gym, the pool — it was amazing," Jackson-Breland said about the new facilities in the Shah Basketball Complex. "Absolutely amazing. The locker rooms, the place where the ladies can go and rest, they even have sleep pods — it was unbelievable. I was amazed.
"You would never want to leave that building. But more importantly, it was the way I was treated. (Wake Forest President) Dr. (Susan) Wente, (Wake Forest athletic director) John Currie, the coaches and the ladies on the team — they were all so supportive. They even sang to me in the morning about having my jersey raised and being a trailblazer. I was overwhelmed."
Her presence in the mid-1980s, alongside teammate Sonya Henderson, elevated the women's basketball program, increasing fan engagement and setting a new standard for recruitment.
It was reuniting with Henderson that Jackson-Breland cited as the highlight of the trip to receive the Trailblazer Award.
"Sonya and I hadn't seen each other in 40 years — in person," Jackson-Breland said. "Seeing her was the absolute highlight, really. I mean, I know everything else was important, but seeing my friend Sonya, knowing what she's been going through and then seeing her face — I hugged and kissed her, and we held onto each other for 15 minutes.
"We just couldn't let go. I was so happy to see her. That was truly the highlight of my trip. Not the award, not the accolades — none of that. It was seeing my friend."
Two years ago, Jackson-Breland was stunned by the welcome she received when she returned to campus for the award.
"I was very happy to see how welcoming everybody was," she said. "It was overwhelming how welcoming they were, and they really rolled out the red carpet for me. I wasn't expecting that — I didn't know what to expect, you know?
"My name was everywhere — Sonya's and my names were everywhere. It was nice. I know that's just what Wake Forest does, but having not been there for so long, I really didn't know what to expect. It seems like this is just what they do because I'm experiencing the same type of treatment for this experience as well."
Joining the Zoom call a few months ago giving her the news about her Hall of Fame induction gave Jackson-Breland yet another shock.
"I had no clue," she said. "I was crying—I had no idea what they wanted to talk to me about. The Hall of Fame wasn't even on my radar. I'm a Trailblazer. I'm not looking for any other honors. When you least expect it, things just fall into your lap. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed — again — but happy."
But once again, Jackson-Breland will arrive at Wake Forest filled with joy, but also the sorrow that comes from loss; knowing that her Demon Deacon family will lift her up.
"Well, I'd love to see some of my teammates who couldn't make it to the Trailblazer event," she said. "Some of them have already told me they'll be there this time, so I'm really looking forward to that. We talk almost every day on our WhatsApp group—the whole team from all four years. There are like 15-20 of us there. So it feels like we're close every day, but in reality, some of us haven't seen each other in 40 years. I'm really looking forward to reconnecting in person.
"I think I need this—the warmth, the love, the support. I'm still getting it from a distance, from my Deac family, but it'll be nice to be physically close to people and really experience it up close."
For Jackson-Breland, the visit was an overwhelming mix of joy, discovery and sweet reunion.
It was also cathartically healing for Jackson-Breland, who was still processing the grief of losing her mother, Ellis Matilda Jackson — to whom Jackson-Breland credits for all the successes in her life.
"My mother was a big part of my journey," Jackson-Breland said.
"Mommy, we did it," Jackson-Breland said she kept thinking during the celebratory weekend.
"All the work she put in, all the work I put in—it wasn't for nothing. It meant something. It really meant something."
Jackson-Breland will be recognized again this coming weekend, this time as part of the 2025 Wake Forest Hall of Fame induction class. But once again, she'll need the power of healing, as she unexpectedly lost her husband just a few short months ago.
"I'm still in a state of shock, but I know I have to go on, and I know my husband would want me to do this—as do I—but it's not easy," she said. "Death is never easy, especially when it's unexpected.
"I know my mother and my husband would want me to participate in this. And I do too—because I deserve it. I deserve this honor, and I owe it to Wake Forest to be there, to show up for them recognizing me in this way. I am looking forward to it. I'm getting myself together and I'll be more put together. Not a hundred percent, but I'll be ready—to participate and to be honored."
Encouraged and motivated by her mother, Jackson-Breland arrived at Wake Forest University with two main objectives — dominating on the basketball court and earning her degree. She initially prioritized basketball, the strong foundation laid by her mother ensured that education was always at the forefront.
Growing up in New York, Jackson-Breland developed her skills playing against top competition, including her brother, Keven Jackson, who attended UVA and later became a dentist.
"Keven would always choose me first when we would play pickup basketball games when we were growing up," she said. "However, he did not choose me because I was his sister, it was because I was better than most of the guys."
Under the guidance of legendary New York State Hall of Fame coach Risa Zander, Jackson-Breland gained attention from several top programs before ultimately selecting Wake Forest.
"Wake Forest was initially my first or second choice, but I felt comfortable going there because of that relationship," she said. "I didn't even visit Wake Forest. I went because of my coach, Risa Zander. I felt a warmth and connection there."
It didn't take Jackson-Breland long to make a positive impact. She led the team in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, and steals as both a freshman and sophomore.
"I could do everything on the court," she said. "I could handle the ball, rebound and shoot. I grew up playing with guys, so I was tough. I was strong. I was a multi-talented athlete."
She was quick to note that the same facility in which the women's team practiced back in those times was used for the Trailblazer Award ceremony in late 2023.
"That building — with all that workout equipment, the gym, the pool — it was amazing," Jackson-Breland said about the new facilities in the Shah Basketball Complex. "Absolutely amazing. The locker rooms, the place where the ladies can go and rest, they even have sleep pods — it was unbelievable. I was amazed.
"You would never want to leave that building. But more importantly, it was the way I was treated. (Wake Forest President) Dr. (Susan) Wente, (Wake Forest athletic director) John Currie, the coaches and the ladies on the team — they were all so supportive. They even sang to me in the morning about having my jersey raised and being a trailblazer. I was overwhelmed."
Her presence in the mid-1980s, alongside teammate Sonya Henderson, elevated the women's basketball program, increasing fan engagement and setting a new standard for recruitment.
It was reuniting with Henderson that Jackson-Breland cited as the highlight of the trip to receive the Trailblazer Award.
"Sonya and I hadn't seen each other in 40 years — in person," Jackson-Breland said. "Seeing her was the absolute highlight, really. I mean, I know everything else was important, but seeing my friend Sonya, knowing what she's been going through and then seeing her face — I hugged and kissed her, and we held onto each other for 15 minutes.
"We just couldn't let go. I was so happy to see her. That was truly the highlight of my trip. Not the award, not the accolades — none of that. It was seeing my friend."
Two years ago, Jackson-Breland was stunned by the welcome she received when she returned to campus for the award.
"I was very happy to see how welcoming everybody was," she said. "It was overwhelming how welcoming they were, and they really rolled out the red carpet for me. I wasn't expecting that — I didn't know what to expect, you know?
"My name was everywhere — Sonya's and my names were everywhere. It was nice. I know that's just what Wake Forest does, but having not been there for so long, I really didn't know what to expect. It seems like this is just what they do because I'm experiencing the same type of treatment for this experience as well."
Joining the Zoom call a few months ago giving her the news about her Hall of Fame induction gave Jackson-Breland yet another shock.
"I had no clue," she said. "I was crying—I had no idea what they wanted to talk to me about. The Hall of Fame wasn't even on my radar. I'm a Trailblazer. I'm not looking for any other honors. When you least expect it, things just fall into your lap. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed — again — but happy."
But once again, Jackson-Breland will arrive at Wake Forest filled with joy, but also the sorrow that comes from loss; knowing that her Demon Deacon family will lift her up.
"Well, I'd love to see some of my teammates who couldn't make it to the Trailblazer event," she said. "Some of them have already told me they'll be there this time, so I'm really looking forward to that. We talk almost every day on our WhatsApp group—the whole team from all four years. There are like 15-20 of us there. So it feels like we're close every day, but in reality, some of us haven't seen each other in 40 years. I'm really looking forward to reconnecting in person.
"I think I need this—the warmth, the love, the support. I'm still getting it from a distance, from my Deac family, but it'll be nice to be physically close to people and really experience it up close."
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