Remembering the Influential Career of Rev. Jesse Jackson

The civil rights leader and presidential candidate left a lasting impact on Chicago and the nation.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a prominent Chicago civil rights activist and two-time presidential candidate, passed away at the age of 84. Jackson was a key figure in the civil rights movement, working closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and later establishing his own organizations like Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition. He made a strong presidential run in 1988 that shook up the Democratic Party, and continued to fight for causes both large and small in Chicago and beyond until his death.

Why it matters

Jackson was a towering figure in Chicago's history, using his national platform to advocate for racial justice, economic empowerment, and human rights. His presidential campaign and subsequent political influence helped reshape the Democratic Party and paved the way for future Black leaders like Barack Obama. Even in his later years, Jackson remained active in the community, fighting for issues like bringing natural gas to underserved areas.

The details

Jackson first came to Chicago in 1964 to attend seminary, quickly becoming involved in civil rights organizing on the city's South Side. He rose to prominence as a key member of Martin Luther King Jr.'s inner circle and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In Chicago, Jackson helped lead the Chicago Freedom Movement, which fought housing discrimination, and later founded his own groups like Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition to continue the fight for racial and economic justice.

  • Jackson first arrived in Chicago in 1964 to attend the Chicago Theological Seminary.
  • In 1965, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference came to Chicago, with Jackson already organizing on the South Side.
  • In 1966, King chose Jackson to lead the Chicago chapter of Operation Breadbasket.
  • In 1971, Jackson established his own Chicago-based organizations including Operation PUSH.
  • Jackson passed away on Tuesday at the age of 84.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A prominent civil rights leader, two-time presidential candidate, and longtime Chicago activist who founded organizations like Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition.

Martin Luther King Jr.

The renowned civil rights leader who mentored and worked closely with Jackson in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Ralph Abernathy

The head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference who had a falling out with Jackson in the 1970s.

Barack Obama

The former U.S. president who, like Jackson, was an influential political figure from Chicago.

Richard J. Daley

The longtime mayor of Chicago who negotiated with the Chicago Freedom Movement that Jackson was a part of.

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What they’re saying

“I saw the broadest cross section of people. It was nonviolent. It was disciplined. People stood in the hot sun and waited. There was an unusual spirit at that march Saturday.”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson (Chicago Tribune)

“Everything that I've done has been in some context, and I'm convinced that we look back like the true judge and ultimately you judge yourself by your cumulative box score. It's not the home run you hit one inning; it's not the strikeout the next inning. It is the box score. And our box score — my batting average — has been one I can accept.”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson (Chicago Tribune)

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's decades-long career as a civil rights leader, community organizer, and presidential candidate left an indelible mark on Chicago and the nation. Though he faced criticism at times, his tireless advocacy for racial justice, economic empowerment, and human rights helped pave the way for future generations of Black leaders and activists.