The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader, Baptist minister and founder of Operation Push and the Rainbow Push coalition, has died at the age of 84, his family confirmed.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson rose to national prominence during the Civil Rights Movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and advocating for racial equality, voting rights, and economic justice. After King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson continued to organize and unite communities across the country, focusing on expanding opportunities for black Americans and other marginalized groups.
In 1971, he founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), an organization dedicated to improving economic conditions in black communities through corporate accountability, education initiatives, and voter registration drives. He later founded the Rainbow Push Coalition, broadening its mission to create a multiracial political movement focused on social and economic justice.
Jackson made history as one of the first black candidates to mount a serious campaign for President of the United States. He contested elections in 1984 and 1988, which helped expand the electorate and encourage greater political participation among minority communities. Their campaigns emphasized coalition-building and introduced issues of economic inequality and civil rights into mainstream political discourse.
In recognition of his decades of advocacy and leadership, Jackson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors. Throughout his life, he remained a vocal supporter of peace, voting rights, labor rights, and international human rights issues.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy is defined by his commitment to justice and his enduring call to “keep hope alive”, a message that has resonated across generations and helped shape modern American politics.
He leaves an indelible mark on the fight for equality and the movement that continues in his name.
📸: Courtesy/Collection
