Jesse Jackson was a prominent civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and politician whose activism shaped American history over decades. He passed away recently in February 2026 at age 84, leaving a legacy of advocacy for equality and justice.

Early Life

Born Jesse Louis Burns on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, he later took his stepfather's surname. As a teen, Jackson showed athletic promise in football and began challenging segregation, like leading sit-ins at whites-only libraries in 1960. At college, he immersed himself in the civil rights movement, joining marches in Selma, Alabama, alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in 1965.

Civil Rights Activism

Jackson worked closely with Dr. King, directing Chicago's Operation Breadbasket in 1966 to boost Black economic power through boycotts and negotiations with businesses. He was present in Memphis during King's 1968 assassination, though details of his exact role remain debated. In 1971, after tensions with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), he founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, focusing on self- help, education, and corporate accountability.

Political Career

Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, achieving groundbreaking results for a Black candidate—winning primaries and delegates, though falling short of the nomination. His "Rainbow Coalition" united diverse groups for social justice. Later, he served as a "shadow senator" for D.C. statehood (1990), special envoy to Africa under President Clinton (1997), and earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000.

Key Organizations and Impact

  • Rainbow/PUSH Coalition : Merged in 1996, it fought for minority hiring on Wall Street and voting rights.
  • International Efforts : Negotiated releases of hostages, like U.S. soldiers in Yugoslavia (1999) and others in Syria (1980s).
  • Media presence: Hosted CNN's Both Sides with Jesse Jackson (1992–2000) and wrote columns syndicated nationwide.

His famous quotes, like "Keep Hope Alive" from his 1988 campaign, inspired generations. Despite controversies—such as a 1984 remark about Jews in New York politics or personal scandals—supporters praised his unyielding fight against poverty and racism.

Health and Recent Years

Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017, Jackson stepped back from public life but remained a symbol of resilience until his death on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Tributes poured in, highlighting his role in advancing democracy from "the manger up".

TL;DR : Jesse Jackson marched with MLK, built economic justice orgs like PUSH and Rainbow Coalition, ran historic presidential bids, and championed global human rights until his passing this week.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.