02/28/2026
On February 17, 2026, the world learned of the passing of Jesse Jackson, a major civil rights and social justice figure. His work throughout his life will leave a lasting impact on equality movements in the United States and beyond.
Reverend Jackson played a huge role in advancing the civil rights movement through his leadership of Operation Breadbasket in 1966, the founding of PUSH in 1971, and the creation of the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984. As an ordained minister, he combined his faith with activism to uplift communities and confront injustice.
Throughout his life, he advocated for economic and racial justice, international human rights, and voters rights. He would speak out for poor and marginalized communities, built coalitions for social change to happen, and would even pave the way for African American presidential candidates.
As we remember him, his legacy will live on through the movements he led, the voices he empowered, and the continued pursuit of human dignity and equality.
