Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jesse Jackson

How Jesse Jackson built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jesse Jackson is a prominent American civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister. He rose to prominence as a protege of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement and has remained a leading voice for civil rights for over seven decades. Jackson served as a shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He is the father of former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and current U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson. Jackson's career reflects a blend of activism, political engagement, and religious leadership in the pursuit of social justice.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1965: Selma to Montgomery Marches

In 1965, Jesse Jackson participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches organized by James Bevel, Martin Luther King Jr., and other civil rights leaders.

1966: Head of Chicago Branch of Operation Breadbasket

In 1966, King and Bevel selected Jackson to head the Chicago branch of the SCLC's economic arm, Operation Breadbasket.

1967: Promotion to National Director

In 1967, Jackson was promoted to national director of Operation Breadbasket.

1968: Ordained a Minister

In 1968, Jesse Jackson was ordained a minister.

October 1971: Black Expo in Chicago

In October 1971, Jesse Jackson organized the Black Expo in Chicago, a trade and business fair.

December 25, 1971: Operation PUSH Begins

On December 25, 1971, People United to Save Humanity (Operation PUSH) officially began operations.

1979: Receives Jefferson Award

In 1979, Jesse Jackson received the Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged.

1980: Increased Voter Turnout

Jesse Jackson received the most black support in the Georgia, Alabama and Florida primaries, where registration drives led to a 69 percent increase in voter turnout from 1980 in Georgia and Alabama.

May 1983: Addressed Alabama Legislature

In May 1983, Jesse Jackson became the first African-American man since Reconstruction to address a joint session of the Alabama Legislature, advocating for focusing on employment issues rather than racial divisions.

November 3, 1983: Announced Presidential Campaign

On November 3, 1983, Jesse Jackson announced his campaign for president of the United States in the 1984 election, becoming the second African American to mount a nationwide campaign for president as a Democrat.

1983: Boycott Against Anheuser-Busch

In 1983, Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH led a boycott against Anheuser-Busch.

1983: Release of American Pilot

In 1983, Jesse Jackson traveled to Syria and secured the release of captured American pilot Robert Goodman.

March 1984: Gained Third Place in Polls

In March 1984, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found Jesse Jackson in third place with 20 percent support in the Democratic primary race, behind Mondale and Hart.

1984: Addressed Democratic National Convention

In 1984, Jesse Jackson addressed the Democratic National Convention, offering an apology for past comments and emphasizing the need for unity within the party.

1984: Presidential Campaign Launch

In 1984, Jesse Jackson launched his first presidential campaign, finishing in third place for the Democratic nomination.

1984: Formation of the Rainbow Coalition

In 1984, Jesse Jackson organized the Rainbow Coalition and resigned as president of Operation PUSH.

1984: Ran for President

In 1984, Jesse Jackson ran for president, and performed well enough to argue that he had expanded his appeal to white voters.

1984: 25th Anniversary of Presidential Campaign

In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jesse Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign.

January 1985: Led Procession in Washington

In January 1985, concurrent with Ronald Reagan's second inauguration, Jesse Jackson led a procession in Washington to advocate for the poor and challenge America to protect them.

June 1986: Spoke About Ethical Collapse and Drug Use

In June 1986, Jesse Jackson delivered a commencement speech at Medgar Evers College, expressing concerns about ethical collapse and drug use among young people. Later that month, he called for Reagan to announce a nationwide war on drugs after the death of Len Bias.

1986: Speculation of Second Presidential Run

By early 1986, there was speculation that Jesse Jackson would mount a second presidential run in 1988.

March 1987: Formed Exploratory Committee

In March 1987, Jesse Jackson formed an exploratory committee for a potential presidential run in 1988, being the second potential candidate to do so.

April 1987: Focused on Iowa for Campaign

In April 1987, Jesse Jackson focused on Iowa for his potential presidential campaign, spending six days there and moving his office to the rural part of the state.

October 11, 1987: Announced Candidacy in 1988 Election

On October 11, 1987, Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy in the 1988 presidential election, leading in polls in nine of the 12 Southern states.

1987: Involved in Chicago Mayoral Election

During the 1987 Chicago mayoral election, Jesse Jackson led efforts to prevent the deterioration of the Democratic campaign and avoid splintering of the Democratic vote.

1988: Increased Credibility as a Candidate

In 1988, Jesse Jackson exceeded expectations in his campaign, more than doubling his previous results. This performance led R.W. Apple of The New York Times to call 1988 "the Year of Jackson".

1988: Second Presidential Bid

In 1988, Jesse Jackson mounted a second bid for president, finishing as the runner-up to Michael Dukakis.

1988: Presidential Campaign

In 1988, Jesse Jackson ran for president as a Democratic candidate.

1988: Ran for President

In 1988, Jesse Jackson was running for president of the United States.

1988: Mayoral Candidacy Considerations

In 1988, following the arrest of Mayor Marion Barry, Jesse Jackson was under pressure to enter the mayoral race to replace Barry, but he did not run for the position.

1988: Awarded NAACP President's Award

In 1988, the NAACP awarded Jesse Jackson its President's Award.

1990: Election to the U.S. Senate

In 1990, Jesse Jackson was elected to the United States Senate for the District of Columbia, serving as a shadow delegate.

November 1991: Jackson Decides Not to Run for President

In November 1991, Jesse Jackson formally declared he would not mount a third presidential bid and called for the creation of "new democratic majority".

1991: "Shadow Senator" for the District of Columbia

In 1991, Jesse Jackson ran for office as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia when the position was created.

1991: Shadow Delegate and Senator

In 1991, Jesse Jackson served as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia.

1991: Trip to Iraq

In 1991, on the eve of the Persian Gulf War, Jesse Jackson traveled to Iraq and secured the release of several foreign nationals.

April 26, 1992: Jackson and Clinton Meeting

On April 26, 1992, Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton had a 40-minute meeting in Clinton's hotel suite. They emerged to announce that they were both committed to defeating Bush in the general election.

1992: Hosting 'Both Sides with Jesse Jackson'

In 1992, Jesse Jackson began hosting 'Both Sides with Jesse Jackson' on CNN.

August 29, 1993: Commemoration of the March on Washington

On August 29, 1993, Jesse Jackson joined gatherers at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

1996: Support for Bill Clinton

In 1996, Jesse Jackson became a key ally in gaining African American support for Bill Clinton and eventually became a close adviser and friend of the Clinton family.

1996: Merger of Organizations

In 1996, the Operation PUSH and Rainbow Coalition organizations were merged.

1997: Support for Al Sharpton

In 1997, Jesse Jackson backed Al Sharpton in his bid for mayor of New York City.

1997: End of Term as "Shadow Senator"

In 1997, Jesse Jackson did not run for reelection as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia, ending his term.

1997: Special Envoy for Democracy in Kenya

In 1997, Jesse Jackson served as United States President Bill Clinton's special envoy for democracy to promote free and fair elections during a trip to Kenya to meet with Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi.

1997: End of Senate Term

In 1997, Jesse Jackson's term as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia came to an end.

March 1999: Decision Not to Run for President

In March 1999, Jesse Jackson announced he would not be a candidate in the 2000 presidential election.

April 1999: Negotiated Release of U.S. POWs in Belgrade

In April 1999, during the Kosovo War, Jesse Jackson traveled to Belgrade and negotiated with Slobodan Milošević for the release of three U.S. POWs. This negotiation was not sanctioned by the Clinton administration.

March 1, 2000: Endorsement of Al Gore

On March 1, 2000, Jesse Jackson endorsed Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 election.

March 2000: Criticism of Giuliani's Handling of Shooting

In March 2000, Jesse Jackson criticized Giuliani's handling of the Patrick Dorismond shooting, saying that there was "something that is not well about his response to unarmed people being shot by police."

2000: Jackson Supports Joe Lieberman at DNC

In 2000, Jesse Jackson was invited to speak in support of Jewish Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman at the Democratic National Convention.

2000: End of CNN Show

In 2000, Jesse Jackson's show 'Both Sides with Jesse Jackson' on CNN ended.

2000: Voters support of Bush

In February 2004, Jackson called for southern voters to turn away from the fears and despair that led to their support of Bush in 2000.

February 15, 2003: Spoke at Anti-War Demonstration in London

On February 15, 2003, Jesse Jackson addressed an estimated one million people in Hyde Park, London, at an anti-war demonstration protesting the imminent invasion of Iraq by the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

February 2004: Address at John F. Kennedy School of Government

In February 2004, Jesse Jackson delivered an address at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he called for southern voters to turn away from supporting Bush, and endorsed John Kerry's presidential campaign.

November 2004: Encouraged Peace in Northern Ireland

In November 2004, Jesse Jackson visited Northern Ireland to encourage better cross-community relations, rebuild the peace process, and restore governmental institutions of the Belfast Agreement, meeting with senior politicians and community activists.

August 2005: Met with Hugo Chávez in Venezuela

In August 2005, Jesse Jackson met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in Venezuela after controversial remarks by Pat Robertson. Jackson condemned Robertson's remarks and stated there was no evidence Venezuela posed a threat to the U.S.

2005: Part of Operation Black Vote in the UK

In 2005, Jesse Jackson was involved in the United Kingdom's Operation Black Vote, a campaign to encourage more ethnic minorities in Britain to vote in political elections.

March 2007: Jackson supports Barack Obama

In March 2007, Jesse Jackson declared his support for then-Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries.

2008: Jackson's Impact on Obama's Campaign

In 2008, Jesse Jackson's previous presidential campaigns were seen as historic, and credited with increasing black voter turnout, exceeding expectations, and paving the way for Barack Obama's successful 2008 campaign.

November 2009: Congressional Black Caucus Honors Jackson

In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jesse Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign. Jackson also commented on Obama's health care reform proposal, criticizing blacks who voted against it.

2009: Speaker for International Peace Foundation

In 2009, Jesse Jackson served as a speaker for the International Peace Foundation, discussing "Building a culture of peace and development in a globalized world" and visited multiple locations in Malaysia and Thailand.

2012: Jackson Commends Obama's Support for Gay Marriage

In 2012, Jesse Jackson commended Obama's decision to support gay marriage, comparing it to the fights against slavery and anti-miscegenation laws. He favored federal legislation extending marriage rights to gay people.

January 2015: Panel Discussion at Stanford University

In January 2015, Jesse Jackson participated in a panel discussion at Stanford University, calling for Palo Alto residents to combat gentrification and met with Silicon Valley leaders.

2015: Awarded Honorary Degree from University of Edinburgh

In 2015, Jesse Jackson was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Edinburgh, in recognition of decades of campaigning for civil rights.

2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Jesse Jackson declined to endorse either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary but endorsed Clinton after she secured the nomination. He later criticized Donald Trump's response to police killings.

June 2019: Jackson Comments on Biden's Stance on Busing

In June 2019, Jesse Jackson stated he didn't understand Biden's prior support for segregated school busing but believed "he's changed" and voiced his opposition to states' rights.

March 8, 2020: Jackson Endorses Bernie Sanders for President

On March 8, 2020, Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders, who is Jewish, for president, further highlighting his improved relationship with the Jewish community.

March 2020: Jackson Endorses Bernie Sanders

In March 2020, Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders for president, noting Sanders made several commitments to him and requesting that Sanders pick an African-American woman as his running mate.

June 2020: Jackson Praises Louisville Mayor and Criticizes Rand Paul

In June 2020, following the killing of Breonna Taylor, Jesse Jackson commended Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer for reviewing police conduct and policies and criticized Senator Rand Paul for delaying a bill to make lynching a hate crime.

April 2021: Jackson Reacts to Chauvin Verdict

In April 2021, after Derek Chauvin's conviction for George Floyd's murder, Jesse Jackson appeared with the Floyd family, stating that attendees would have to "learn to live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart".

2021: Appointed Commander of the Legion of Honor

In 2021, Jesse Jackson was appointed Commander of the Legion of Honor, France's highest order of merit, presented by French president Emmanuel Macron, for his work in civil rights.

July 2023: Jackson Announces Plans to Step Down as Leader of Rainbow/PUSH

In July 2023, Jesse Jackson announced his plans to step down as the leader of Rainbow/PUSH due to his age and health complications, including Parkinson's disease and previous hospitalizations.

2023: Jackson Calls for Action Ahead of State of the Union

Ahead of the 2023 State of the Union Address, Jesse Jackson wrote an op-ed calling for Biden to extend the Child Tax Credit, make voter registration automatic, limit big money in politics, and revive the Voting Rights Act.