Remembering the Life and Legacy of Jesse Jackson

Remembering the Life and Legacy of Jesse Jackson

For more than half a century, Jesse Jackson stood as one of the most recognizable voices in the fight for civil rights, economic justice, and political empowerment in America. Minister, activist, presidential candidate, and founder of a global movement—Jackson’s life was rooted in advocacy and fueled by faith.

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson rose to prominence during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. A protég

é of Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson worked within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), helping organize campaigns focused on economic equality and voting rights. After King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson carried forward the mission of social justice, determined to keep the movement alive for future generations.