Celebration of Life for Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson to Draw Former Presidents and Grammy-Winning Artists

The event honoring the protege of Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate will be held at a prominent Black church in Chicago.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A celebration of life for the late civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is expected to draw former U.S. Presidents Obama, Biden, and Clinton, as well as former Vice President Kamala Harris and Grammy-winning artists like gospel singer BeBe Winans. The event at a 10,000-seat arena in Chicago follows memorial services that drew large crowds in Chicago and South Carolina, where Jackson was born.

Why it matters

Jackson was a prominent civil rights leader, two-time presidential candidate, and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. His life and work spanned the full spectrum of American politics, and his passing marks the end of an era for the civil rights movement.

The details

The Chicago celebration will be the largest of the memorial services for Jackson, who died last month at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder. Jackson's pursuits included advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues like voting rights, healthcare, jobs, and education. He also scored diplomatic victories with world leaders and pressured corporate executives to make America more equitable.

  • Jackson died last month at age 84.
  • Memorial services for Jackson were held in Chicago and South Carolina.
  • The Chicago celebration of life is scheduled for Friday.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

A prominent civil rights leader, two-time presidential candidate, and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Former President Barack Obama

A former Democratic President expected to speak at the celebration of life.

Former President Joe Biden

A former Democratic President expected to speak at the celebration of life.

Former President Bill Clinton

A former Democratic President expected to speak at the celebration of life.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris

A former Democratic Vice President expected to speak at the celebration of life.

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What they’re saying

“These homegoing services are welcome to all. Democrat, Republican, liberal, conservative, right wing, left wing because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be an American.”

— Jesse Jackson Jr., Son of Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. (Associated Press)

“He has been the central mentor of my life. The challenge for us that we've got to make sure that all he lived for was not in vain.”

— Rev. Al Sharpton (Associated Press)

What’s next

Details on a future memorial event in Washington, D.C. have not been made public after a request for Jackson to lie in honor at the United States Capitol rotunda was denied.

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.'s life and work as a civil rights leader, presidential candidate, and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition spanned the full spectrum of American politics. His passing marks the end of an era, and the celebration of life in Chicago is expected to draw leaders from across the political spectrum to honor his legacy.