Lori Lightfoot Reflects on Mentorship from Rev. Jesse Jackson

The former Chicago mayor shares how the civil rights icon challenged her to think bigger about her civic role.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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In a personal essay, former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot reflects on her mentorship and friendship with the late Rev. Jesse Jackson. Lightfoot describes how Jackson pushed her to take on a larger civic role, particularly after the police killing of Laquan McDonald, and how he served as a public conscience, challenging leaders to address racial equity, police accountability, and economic justice.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a towering figure in the civil rights movement who continued to advocate for social and economic justice until his passing. His mentorship of Lori Lightfoot, a rising political leader, highlights how he worked to cultivate the next generation of civic-minded individuals committed to making progress on critical issues.

The details

Lightfoot first met with Jackson at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters in the wake of the Laquan McDonald police killing, when she was serving as president of the Chicago Police Board. Jackson was initially wary of Lightfoot's intentions, but the two developed a close mentorship and friendship over the years. Jackson challenged Lightfoot to think bigger about her role and impact, drawing on his decades of experience as a civil rights leader and presidential candidate. The two bonded over shared interests in sports, music, and the arts, and Jackson became a consistent voice in Lightfoot's ear, pushing her on issues of racial equity, police accountability, and economic justice as she later became mayor.

  • In November 2015, Lightfoot first met with Rev. Jackson at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters.
  • Over the years, Lightfoot and Jackson had many more meetings at his office, by phone, and at his home.

The players

Lori Lightfoot

The former mayor of Chicago who describes her mentorship and friendship with Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A civil rights icon and longtime advocate for social and economic justice who mentored Lightfoot.

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What they’re saying

“Why did they send you?" That was the awkward beginning of a mentorship and friendship between the Rev. Jesse Jackson and me.”

— Lori Lightfoot, Former Mayor of Chicago (chicagotribune.com)

“The Rev. Jackson was our public conscience, not allowing anyone, particularly not the high and the mighty, to look away from the suffering of masses of people here and abroad who desperately needed the advocate he became.”

— Lori Lightfoot, Former Mayor of Chicago (chicagotribune.com)

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's mentorship of Lori Lightfoot demonstrates how he worked to cultivate the next generation of civic leaders committed to addressing issues of racial equity, police accountability, and economic justice - causes he championed throughout his life as a civil rights icon.