Candace Owens’ Publicist Takes Over the Black Squirrel

Sylvia Kline, ‘28

Collage by Sadie Leveque, ‘27

“Please mock this fat feminist,” read the 2017 leaked email that led Sarah Lawrence alum Mitchell Jackson ‘14 to be fired from his first post-graduate job. Jackson studied journalism and queer theory, went abroad at Oxford University, completed several internships and built a reputation as an agitator during his time at Sarah Lawrence College (SLC). 

On Oct. 9, Career Services and the Pre-Journalism Program co-hosted a talk and Q&A with Jackson. Moderated by journalism professor Marek Fuchs, the floor was open for Jackson to speak about his experiences within the media industry, how to adapt to the ascent of AI and to offer advice to current SLC students.

Jackson’s high energy and lighting-fast cadence dominated the square conference table and large carpeted wall panels of the Black Squirrel—the room regularly used for Phoenix meetings in Bates. His animated spiels, personal anecdotes and answers to questions left no need for direction, leaving moderator Fuchs silent for the duration of the event—save the occasional smirk at mentions of arson and past unhinged conference projects. 

“I don’t have the best personality, and I know that.” Jackson touted his identity as an abrasive, forward, and relentless individual in his professional life. After securing several internships beginning his freshman year, Jackson received a return offer from Vice Media for a full-time job after he graduated. At age 24, Jackson lost his staff writer job after his email thread to Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos was leaked. Breitbart News is an alt-right conservative outlet and Jackson’s email stating, “please mock this fat feminist” with an attachment to an article by activist Lindy West was exposed in a Buzzfeed News report. Jackson was promptly fired and his efforts to find work following the controversy were unsuccessful. 

“It was actually the best thing to ever happen to me,” Jackson said despite being the single most unhirable individual in national media for the year following his controversy. 

Jackson vehemently recommended that students blow up their lives sooner than later because “the time to take risks is when you’re young.” Jackson underwent an entire professional rebrand by taking his husband’s last name and working to pick up the pieces of his experience in the media industry. What emerged was his own public relations firm, BCC Communications. Jackson used his journalistic rolodex to build a client list and commends himself on representing individuals across the political spectrum. He represents conservative podcaster Candace Owens, influencer Caroline Calloway and comedian Adam Friedland, among others. 

Having amassed a diverse collection of clients and years of tumultuous experience in the industry, Jackson was ready to provide advice to students who are just beginning their professional lives. He urged students to read and write continuously, stating that an understanding of news from both the left and right is essential to success in media.

The concern about the ascension of AI has been palpable on the Sarah Lawrence campus, where the majority of students are studying creative arts and humanities. Jackson assured students that if they came into jobs with creative, original ideas, AI could not replace that work. “AI written material sucks, no one actually likes it.” A liberal arts education is more valuable now than it ever has been, Jackson asserted, because their diverse curriculum prepares individuals to adapt to the ever-changing world of media. 

Connections, networking, lunching, dinners and drinks were all emphasized by Jackson. He stated that who you know in the industry is perhaps the sole factor that will contribute to success in media. “People hire who they know.” Jackson said that during his time as an undergraduate, he would cold email people in the city that he looked up to, and simply asked if he could take them out to lunch. He also claimed that he went above and beyond in his internship work, running laps around the other interns who were still writing in passive voice and hesitating to reach out to sources. 

“If you are entry level, you should come from a place of yes,” Jackson stated. Rejection is common in the industry, but Jackson advised to learn from the ‘no’s’ and simply continue moving forward and building connections: “today’s intern could be tomorrow’s editor.” 

During the Q&A portion, the floor was opened up to the students to ask professional questions but also to poke and prod under the surface of this long-winded, energetic, controversial and contradictory individual. Jackson fielded questions about networking, securing jobs and ultimately inquiries into his work with Candace Owens. When asked about navigating relationships with clients that he may not necessarily agree with and navigating the chaos that ensued following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, “I’m not a political person,” was Jackson’s response. “My job is not to think about emotions.” Jackson also stated that his work is strictly client-focused. “It’s not about me.” Jackon’s professional devotion to his clients was apparent, as he maintained that he “defend[s] my clients to the death.” 

Jackson also emphasized that every crisis is different, and each situation requires a unique approach. When representing client Maya Henry during her ex-fiance Liam Payne’s death, Jackson decided that the immediate course of action was to do nothing. Preparing for the onslaught of unhinged teenage One Direction fans, Jackson encouraged Henry to let sensation and shock run its course before commenting. Jackson said that in times of crisis, he has to create “the best worst outcome,” and in this case that meant an exclusive statement from Henry to Rolling Stone Magazine months after his death. 

Jackson’s evident allegiance to the world of media and public relations solidified his abrasive commitment to his work. In his humorously blunt tone the audience got to know so well, Jackson joked: “If you launch a smear campaign against my clients, we’re going to war and I’m going to kill you.”   

Correction: On Oct 26, 2025, this article was updated to clarify the context of two of Jackson’s quotes.