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Feb. 17, 2026 ~ Rev. Jesse Jackson passed away at the age of 84. Rev. Horace Sheffield joins Kevin to remember his legacy and the impact he made on Detroit.
CHICAGO ~ Rev. Jesse Jackson, the influential civil rights activist and longtime political figure, died Tuesday at the age of 84, according to statements released by his family. He passed away peacefully in the morning, surrounded by loved ones.
Jackson rose to national prominence in the 1960s as a protégé of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., participating in marches, sit‑ins, and voter‑registration efforts that helped define the civil rights era. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, he later graduated from North Carolina A&T State University and became a key organizer with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference before founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization dedicated to civil rights and economic justice.
Across his decades of activism, Jackson became known for his powerful oratory, international diplomacy efforts, and advocacy for marginalized communities. He ran for president in 1984 and 1988, becoming one of the most prominent Black candidates in American political history and expanding voter‑engagement efforts across the country. His later years included ongoing civil rights work and outspoken positions on national politics, even as he contended with health challenges including Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, their children, and grandchildren. Public observances and further memorial details are expected to be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
