Rev. Jesse Jackson's Family Holds Intimate Final Goodbye

Reverend's children, civil rights leaders, and African presidents honor his legacy at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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A day after a vibrant, televised celebration for the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., his family and friends gathered at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago for a more intimate memorial service. The homegoing service included speeches from Jackson's children, civil rights leaders, and two presidents of African nations, who said the best way to honor his legacy is to continue his advocacy for universal human rights and economic justice.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. was a towering figure in the civil rights movement, known for his activism, charisma, and Christian call to service. His final memorial service at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters allowed his closest family, allies, and confidants to grieve and honor his life's work in a more personal setting, before many of them travel to Selma, Alabama to continue his legacy of fighting for voting rights.

The details

The final memorial service included a few hundred attendees, mostly family members, allies and confidants of Rev. Jackson. His children, civil rights leaders, and two African presidents gave speeches emphasizing the need to carry on Jackson's advocacy for human rights and economic justice. The service featured musical performances and a comedy set, and allowed some members of the public to fellowship with the family. Jackson's life and activism, including his dual presidential bids, anti-apartheid work, and Christian mission of supporting the downtrodden, were celebrated.

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. passed away last month.
  • His body lay in repose in Chicago and then in state at the South Carolina Capitol last month.
  • Services honoring Jackson in Washington, D.C. were postponed after a request for him to lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol was denied.
  • On Sunday, members of the Jackson family and his mentees will travel to Selma, Alabama to commemorate the 'Bloody Sunday' protest marches.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

A towering figure in the civil rights movement, known for his activism, charisma, and Christian call to service.

Yusef Jackson

One of Rev. Jackson's sons and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson

An Illinois Democrat and one of the late reverend's sons.

Marc Morial

President of the National Urban League.

Cyril Ramaphosa

President of South Africa, who praised Rev. Jackson's work to end apartheid.

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What they’re saying

“It is appropriate that we respect this season of grief. However, it is also appropriate to honor him by stepping up, to step out, and continue his work by answering his call to serve.”

— Yusef Jackson, President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition

“Let the word go out that anyone who would like to be president of the United States in 2028, you'd better study this concept of the rainbow coalition.”

— Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League

“When Jesse Jackson reminded the United States that its strength as a nation lies not in exclusion, but in the beautiful diversity of its people — Black and white, rich and poor, urban and rural, workers and farmers, immigrants and the forgotten — we were hugely inspired by his message.”

— Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa

What’s next

On Sunday, members of the Jackson family and many of his mentees will travel to Selma, Alabama to commemorate the 'Bloody Sunday' protest marches when civil rights activists were beaten by police on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965.

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.'s final memorial service at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters allowed his closest family, allies, and confidants to grieve and honor his life's work in a more personal setting, before many of them continue his legacy of fighting for civil rights and economic justice in Selma, Alabama.