Reflecting on the passing of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., Dr. Peter Bramble, Co-Founder of The Baltimore Times, recalled a moment forever etched in the history of America. The date was April 4, 1968, the day civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. 

   “Rev. Jackson was actually right there on the balcony with Martin Luther King the day he was killed at the Lorraine Motel,” said Father Bramble, Co-Founder of The Baltimore Times. “That comes to mind when I think about Jesse Jackson. He was the last in the cabinet of Dr. King.”

Dr. Peter Bramble

   Rev. Jackson,. a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement and Founder and President of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC), died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2026, at his home in Chicago. He was 84. 

   “Rev. Jackson also did very well when he ran in the Primary for President of the United States, getting a double-digit percentage of the votes,” said Father Bramble, referring to when Rev. Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988. “He was also a great speaker.”

   A schedule of Memorial Services for Rev. Jackson includes Chicago, South Carolina and Washington, DC., They began on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 with Rev. Jackson Lying in State at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago, IL and will conclude with a Private Homegoing Celebration at Rainbow PUSH on Saturday, March 7, 2026. 

   Rev. Jackson led numerous voter registration drives and is credited with helping to pave the way for political leaders that came behind him.

   “Rev. Jesse Jackson helped reshape the conversation about who belongs in rooms of power and whose voices matter in this country,” said Democratic Senator Cory V. McCray, who represents Baltimore’s 45th District. “Through faith, courage, and persistence, he expanded opportunity for millions and inspired generations to believe they could organize, lead, and demand more from America. His legacy will continue wherever people are fighting for dignity, justice, and a fair shot.”

   RPC is a multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international membership organization fighting for social change. Rev. Jackson formed RPC in December 1996 through the merging of two organizations he founded earlier, People United to Serve Humanity (PUSH, 1971) and the Rainbow Coalition (1984).

   Headquartered in Chicago, IL the organization advocates for peace and justice around the world and is dedicated to improving the lives of all people by serving as a voice for the voiceless. RPC has offices in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and Oakland.

   Born on October 8, 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina, Jesse Jackson graduated from the public schools in Greenville and then enrolled in the University of Illinois on a football scholarship. He later transferred to North Carolina A&T State University and graduated in 1964. 

   He began his theological studies at Chicago Theological Seminary but deferred his studies when he began working full-time in the Civil Rights Movement with Dr. King. Rev. Jackson was ordained on June 30, 1968 and received his earned Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2000.

Dr Joanne Martin  (Courtesy Photo)

   “Jesse Jackson provided an enduring significance of affirmation and self-affirmation within the Black community that ‘I am somebody’ and ‘Black is beautiful,’ said Dr. Joanne Martin, Co-Founder of the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum (NGBIW). “With all the progress that has been made, the fight for recognition and worth continues as there are those who are attempting to erase our Black History.”

   Rev. Jackson was the recipient of numerous awards. On August 9, 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

   “Jesse Jackson’s role in fighting for peace and his contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion parallels to Martin Luther King's vision of unity,” said Dr. Martin. “The broad impact of Rev. Jackson's work in social justice has become more apparent since his passing. Sometimes, society does not realize the value of a person and the importance of their perspective until they are gone.”

   Dr. Martin says that the NGBIW will one day house a wax figure of Rev. Jackson. 

“We don’t have a figure yet, but one day we will,” said Dr. Martin. “He has earned his place at the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum.”