Benton Harbor Leaders Remember Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson

Reverend Jesse Jackson, who died at 84, had a long history of involvement in the Benton Harbor community.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Civic leaders in Benton Harbor, Michigan are remembering the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, the renowned civil rights activist who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 84. Mayor Marcus Muhammad and Berrien County Commissioner Mamie Yarbrough both spoke fondly of Jackson's work in supporting the Benton Harbor community, including his advocacy against the state takeover of the city around 2011.

Why it matters

Jesse Jackson was a towering figure in the civil rights movement who ran for president twice. His death marks the passing of an era, and local leaders in Benton Harbor are reflecting on his deep ties to their community and the impact he had through his activism and visits over the years.

The details

Mayor Marcus Muhammad recalled how Jackson advised him to focus less on the state-appointed emergency manager and instead go directly to Lansing to seek progress on state matters impacting Benton Harbor. Commissioner Mamie Yarbrough also remembered Jackson's frequent visits to the community, where he would hold events at local churches, calling it a 'wonderful time'.

  • Reverend Jesse Jackson died on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Jackson had a long history of involvement in Benton Harbor, including fighting against the state takeover of the city around 2011.

The players

Reverend Jesse Jackson

A renowned civil rights activist who passed away on February 18, 2026 at the age of 84. Jackson ran for president of the United States twice and was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement.

Marcus Muhammad

The current mayor of Benton Harbor, Michigan. He was the mayor pro tem during the state takeover of Benton Harbor around 2011, when he received advice from Jesse Jackson.

Mamie Yarbrough

A Berrien County Commissioner in Michigan who remembered Jesse Jackson's frequent visits to the Benton Harbor community over the years.

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What they’re saying

“He said, you focus too much on the emergency manager. He said, I don't even wanna hear his name again. He said, because he's just a mailman, and he's bringing the mail from Lansing. So we need to not be distracted on the EM. We need to be focused on what's coming out of Lansing.”

— Marcus Muhammad, Mayor of Benton Harbor (wsjm.com)

“Jesse Jackson ran for president of the United States of America two times, and yes, I voted for him. And I thought, we ain't gonna never have a Black president. And we did. Ain't God something? We had a Black president that lived in Chicago, Illinois, where Jesse Jackson lived.”

— Mamie Yarbrough, Berrien County Commissioner (wsjm.com)

The takeaway

Jesse Jackson's passing marks the end of an era for the civil rights movement, but his legacy and impact will continue to be felt in communities like Benton Harbor, where local leaders remember his tireless advocacy and guidance during challenging times.