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Rick Jackson is a successful, politically prominent businessman in metro Atlanta, but his early life bears no resemblance to the one he lives today.

His father left before his first birthday. His mother was a sometimes abusive alcoholic. He ended up in foster care and spent time at the United Methodist Children's Home.

He's mentioned his past in his drive to reform the child welfare/foster care system, and at the September premiere of "90 Minutes in Heaven," a faith-based film his nonprofit Giving Films produced , but hasn't publicly delved fully into details.

He shares his story in this Sunday's Personal Journey: "The Self-Made Philanthropist."

AJC photo/Bob Andres

Credit: Jennifer Brett

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Credit: Jennifer Brett

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