Reverend Jesse Jackson

 King told a Chicago audience that “ No one could be more effective than Jackson.” Despite King’s Praise of Jackson’s work, a few days before King’s assassination he criticized Jackson for following his own agenda rather than supporting the group. 

Rev, Jesse Jackson born October 8,1941 was a prominent US Civil Rights Leader, Baptist Minister, and Politician who emerged from the movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to become a major voice for African Americans, a two -time Demographic Presidential Candidate (1984,1988), and founder of operation. Rev, Jesse Jackson birth name was Jesse Louis Burns from Greenville, South Carolina. He was later adopted by his step father, Charles Henry Jackson. Rev, Jesse Jackson attended the University of Illinois on a football scholarship, before transferring to North Carolina he graduated from A&T State University in 1964. Rev, Jesse Jackson was involved in Sit in North Carolina and marched with Dr. King in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. 2017, Rev. Jesse Jackson announced a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2017. He was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000. Rev, Jesse Jackson was known as a “Tree Shaker” in the fight for Civil Rights, focusing on leveraging political and economic pressure to force social change. Reverend Jesse Jackson passed away at the age of 84 on February 17, 2026, due to complications from Parkinson’s and a related neurological disorder. He will always be remembered as a champion for “Rainbow Coalition,” for advocating for a broad and multiracial political alliance. Also, Acted as a negotiator to secure the release of hostages in Syria (1983), Iraq (1990), and Yugoslavia (1999). 

“Keep hope Alive.”

-Reverend Jesse Jackson