Ernest and Peggy Jackson listen to speakers during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for him in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson, recipient of the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award, speaks during a reception at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

The crowd watches a video during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson holds up his 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award during a ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque's Vice President for Philanthropy and Communications, Bobbi Earles speaks during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

The audience waves to the live stream camera during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Telegraph Herald Executive Editor Amy Gilligan speaks during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

TH Media Publisher Bob Woodward speaks during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Telegraph Herald Features Editor Megan Gloss interviews Ricardo Cunningham during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Telegraph Herald Executive Editor Amy Gilligan speaks during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson, recipient of the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award, speaks during a reception at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson, recipient of the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award, speaks during a reception at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson listens to speakers during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for him in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson listens to speakers during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for him in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

TH Media Publisher Bob Woodward speaks during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

TH Media Publisher Bob Woodward speaks during the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award ceremony for Ernest Jackson in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson, recipient of the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award, speaks during a reception at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson, recipient of the 2021 Telegraph Herald First Citizen Award, speaks during a reception at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson and wife Peggy greet friends and supporters during the Telegraph Herald 2021 First Citizen Award ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson and wife Peggy greet friends and supporters during the Telegraph Herald 2021 First Citizen Award ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson's 2021 First Citizen Award stands next to the podium in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson's 2021 First Citizen Award stands next to the podium in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson and wife Peggy have their picture taken with friends during the Telegraph Herald 2021 First Citizen Award ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson and wife Peggy have their picture taken with friends during the Telegraph Herald 2021 First Citizen Award ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

The Telegraph Herald's multimedia specialist Paul Kurutsides monitors the live stream during the Telegraph Herald 2021 First Citizen Award ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

The Telegraph Herald's multimedia specialist Paul Kurutsides monitors the live stream during the Telegraph Herald 2021 First Citizen Award ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson greets friends and supporters during the Telegraph Herald 2021 First Citizen Award ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman

Ernest Jackson greets friends and supporters during the Telegraph Herald 2021 First Citizen Award ceremony in the Diamond Jo Casino's Harbor room on Thursday. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Gassman