Rev. Jesse Jackson's Family Holds Private Memorial

Gathering at Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Chicago to honor civil rights leader

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The family of the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is holding a private memorial service at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Chicago to honor the civil rights leader, following a public celebration that included appearances by several U.S. presidents.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, serving as a close advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. and founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition to advocate for social and economic justice. His passing marks the end of an era, and this private memorial allows his family and close community to grieve and celebrate his legacy away from the public eye.

The details

The private memorial service is taking place at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Chicago, the organization Jackson founded in 1996 to continue his work for racial equality and economic empowerment. The service follows a public celebration of Jackson's life that included appearances by former U.S. presidents who recognized his decades of civil rights advocacy.

  • Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. passed away on March 5, 2026.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

A prominent civil rights leader who served as a close advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. and founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Rainbow PUSH Coalition

A Chicago-based organization founded by Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. to advocate for social and economic justice.

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The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's private memorial service allows his family and close community to grieve and celebrate his legacy as a pioneering civil rights leader, away from the public spotlight that has shone on his decades of advocacy for racial equality and economic justice.