Greenville Photojournalist Gained Rare Access to Rev. Jesse Jackson

Charles Arbogast captured intimate moments with the civil rights leader during his time in Greenville.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Former Greenville News photojournalist Charles Arbogast shares how he gained the trust of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson in the mid-1980s, capturing behind-the-scenes moments of Jackson's family life and public events during his time in Greenville, South Carolina.

Why it matters

Arbogast's photos and firsthand accounts provide a unique window into the personal life and public persona of a towering figure in the civil rights movement, offering an intimate look at Jackson's roots and influence in his hometown of Greenville.

The details

Arbogast first met Jackson at a news conference in 1985 shortly after joining the Greenville News. Jackson then invited Arbogast to his family home for dinner, where the photojournalist captured candid moments of Jackson watching the news with his staff. Over the next two years, Arbogast gained Jackson's trust and access, witnessing the power of Jackson's iconic "I am somebody" rallying cry at a high school assembly and getting to know Jackson's teenage sons.

  • In the summer of 1985, Arbogast joined the Greenville News and first covered Jackson at a news conference.
  • Later that year in October 1985, Arbogast accompanied Jackson to a high school assembly where he heard the "I am somebody" chant.
  • Arbogast spent about two years covering Jackson's activities and personal life in Greenville in the mid-1980s.

The players

Charles Arbogast

A former photojournalist for the Greenville News who gained rare access to Rev. Jesse Jackson and his family during Jackson's time in Greenville.

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A civil rights leader and activist who was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina, and founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Jesse Jackson Jr.

One of Rev. Jesse Jackson's teenage sons whom Arbogast got to know during his time covering the family.

Jonathon Jackson

One of Rev. Jesse Jackson's teenage sons whom Arbogast got to know during his time covering the family.

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What they’re saying

“Everywhere he goes, he's historic”

— Charles Arbogast, Former Greenville News photojournalist (greenvilleonline.com)

“get in, let's go to my house”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson (greenvilleonline.com)

“I got his trust. I got to see a lot of behind-the-scenes things, so to speak.”

— Charles Arbogast, Former Greenville News photojournalist (greenvilleonline.com)

“He had the students repeating that multiple times, big thunderous sounds — I am somebody”

— Charles Arbogast, Former Greenville News photojournalist (greenvilleonline.com)

The takeaway

Arbogast's intimate access to Rev. Jesse Jackson during his time in Greenville provides a rare glimpse into the personal life and public persona of a towering civil rights figure, shedding light on Jackson's roots, influence, and iconic rallying cries in his hometown.