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 an American civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister. He rose to prominence as a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and has remained a leading figure in the civil rights movement for over seven decades. He served as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He is the father of U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson and former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.
12 hours ago : Jesse Jackson's Homegoing Service Celebrated by Biden, Obama, Clinton, Marking Civil Rights Legacy
Jesse Jackson's homegoing service in Chicago drew leaders like Biden, Obama, and Clinton, celebrating his civil rights legacy and the unfinished work of the Rainbow Coalition and his homegoing service remembered his impact.
July 16, 1960: Sit-in at Greenville Public Library
On July 16, 1960, Jesse Jackson participated in a sit-in at the Greenville Public Library, resulting in his arrest for "disorderly conduct."
1965: Participation in 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 in Alabama.
1966: Dropped out of Seminary
In 1966, Jesse Jackson dropped out of the Chicago Theological Seminary to focus on the civil rights movement.
1966: Head of Chicago Branch of Operation Breadbasket
In 1966, Jesse Jackson was selected to head the Chicago branch of the SCLC's Operation Breadbasket.
1967: Promotion to National Director of Operation Breadbasket
In 1967, Jesse Jackson was promoted to national director of the SCLC's 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 to promote black capitalism and grass roots political power.
December 1971: Falling out with Abernathy
In December 1971, Jesse Jackson had a falling out with Ralph Abernathy, leading to his suspension as leader of Operation Breadbasket and his subsequent resignation from the SCLC.
December 25, 1971: Operation PUSH
On December 25, 1971, People United to Save Humanity (Operation PUSH) officially began operations.
1978: Call for Closer Relationship with the Republican Party
In 1978, Jesse Jackson called for a closer relationship between blacks and the Republican Party.
May 1983: Addressed the Alabama Legislature
In May 1983, Jesse Jackson became the first African-American man since Reconstruction to address a joint session of the Alabama Legislature. He stated it was "about time we forgot about black and white and started talking about employed and unemployed".
November 3, 1983: Announced candidacy for president
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 beer giant Anheuser-Busch.
1983: Release of American Pilot in Syria
In 1983, Jesse Jackson traveled to Syria to secure the release of a captured American pilot, Navy Lt. Robert Goodman.
January 4, 1984: Reagan Welcomes Jackson and Goodman
On January 4, 1984, President Reagan welcomed Jesse Jackson and Robert Goodman to the White House after Jackson secured Goodman's release from Syria.
March 1984: Jackson's support in 1984 Washington Post-ABC News poll
In March 1984, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found Jesse Jackson in third place with 20 percent support, behind Walter Mondale and Gary Hart. Jackson received three quarters of the black vote in the Democratic primary.
June 1984: Negotiated Release of Americans in Cuba
In June 1984, Jesse Jackson negotiated the release of 22 Americans being held in Cuba.
1984: Addressed the Democratic National Convention
In 1984, Jesse Jackson addressed the Democratic National Convention, offering an apology for comments considered derogatory to Jews and affirming his loyalty to the party. He called for unity among all groups.
1984: Presidential Campaign
In 1984, Jesse Jackson launched his first presidential campaign, finishing in third place for the Democratic nomination behind Walter Mondale and Gary Hart.
1984: Organization of the Rainbow Coalition
In 1984, Jesse Jackson organized the Rainbow Coalition and resigned as president of Operation PUSH to run for president of the United States.
1984: Jackson's Credibility as a Candidate
In 1984, Jesse Jackson was better financed and better organized than in his previous campaign. The Washington Post noted that his support among white voters allowed him to claim he was more than a one-race candidate. His support "continued to flow predominantly from black districts".
1984: Anniversary of Jackson's Presidential Campaign
In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jesse Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign.
1984: Ran for President of the United States
In the 1984 election, Jesse Jackson ran for president of the United States, his candidacy divided support among black politicians. Jackson received the support of former Mayor of Atlanta Maynard Jackson, and Mayor of Newark Kenneth A. Gibson. In December, he was endorsed by National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. chairman T. J. Jemison, and lost the endorsement of the Alabama Democratic Conference to Walter Mondale.
January 1985: Led procession in Washington D.C.
In January 1985, Jesse Jackson led supporters in a procession through Washington to the Washington Monument, stressing the need to support the poor.
June 1986: Called for War on Drugs
In June 1986, after basketball player Len Bias died from cardiac arrest stemming from "cocaine intoxication", Jesse Jackson and Representative Charles Rangel called for Reagan to announce a nationwide war on drugs and seek increased funding of federal anti-drug education programs in public schools.
1986: Speculation of a Presidential Run
By early 1986, speculation began that Jesse Jackson would mount a second presidential run in 1988.
March 1987: Formed an exploratory committee
In March 1987, Jesse Jackson formed an exploratory committee for a potential presidential run in 1988, after Gary Hart.
April 1987: Campaigning in Iowa
In April 1987, Jesse Jackson spent six days in Iowa and moved his office to the rural part of the state, highlighting the impact of Reagan's economic policies on farmers and businessmen.
October 11, 1987: Announced Candidacy in 1988 Presidential Election
On October 11, 1987, Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy in the 1988 presidential election. At the time of his announcement, polling showed that he led in nine of the 12 Southern states that would hold primaries or caucuses in March and led the Democratic field at 27 percent.
November 1987: Analysts' Views on Nomination Chances
In November 1987, according to a New York Times article, most political analysts gave Jesse Jackson little chance of being nominated, partly because he is black and partly because of his unretrenched liberalism.
1987: Involvement in Chicago Mayoral Election
During the 1987 Chicago mayoral election, Jesse Jackson led an effort to prevent the campaign's deterioration and avoid "dissension and splintering of the Democratic vote".
1987: Campaign Platform
In 1987, Jesse Jackson's campaign platform included a call for a single-payer system of universal health care; higher taxes on the wealthy and defense spending cuts intended to reduce federal budget deficits and increase education, housing, welfare, and childcare spending; ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment; reducing the supply and flow of drugs into communities.
1988: Presidential Run
By early 1986, speculation began that Jesse Jackson would mount a second presidential run in 1988. In March 1987, he formed an exploratory committee, making him the second potential candidate to do so, after Gary Hart. By April 1987, after previously having spent "all of half a day" in Iowa, Jackson had spent six days there throughout the year and moved his office to the rural part of the state instead of Des Moines. He stressed that farmers and businessmen were akin to unemployed blacks in being negatively affected by the Reagan administration's economic policies. In July, Jackson met with former Governor of Alabama George Wallace for half an hour, calling the former segregationist "one of the most forward of any governor across the South in terms of the sharing of appointments with blacks and whites and women, and the tone of the administration had changed". The meeting was seen as Jackson testing support for a presidential bid. In September, Jackson attended a presidential candidates forum; he embraced the Congressional Black Caucus's positions on education, employment, and defense, and was greeted with chants of "Run Jesse Run" and "Win Jesse Win".
1988: Exceeding Expectations in the Presidential Race
In 1988, Jesse Jackson exceeded expectations in the presidential race, more than doubling his previous results, which prompted R. W. Apple of The New York Times to call it "the Year of Jackson".
1988: Democratic Primaries and Dukakis Meeting
In 1988, by the end of the Democratic primaries, Jesse Jackson received 6.9 million votes and won 11 contests. The day after the last primaries, Jackson met with Dukakis to discuss his platform, including voter registration and delegate allocation rules. Jackson felt he deserved consideration as a running mate, but Dukakis didn't give him any special consideration. Later, Dukakis picked Senator Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate, and this led Jackson to suggest Jimmy Carter mediate their conflict.
1988: Consideration for Mayoral Race
In 1988, following the arrest of Marion Barry, Jackson was under pressure to enter the mayoral race to replace him. Jackson did not run for the position.
1990: Election to the United States Senate
In 1990, Jesse Jackson was elected to the United States Senate for the District of Columbia.
November 1991: Decision Not to Enter 1992 Presidential Primaries
In November 1991, Jesse Jackson told Ron Brown that he would not enter the 1992 Democratic Party presidential primaries. Jackson then 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, Jackson ran for office as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia when the position was created, serving until 1997.
1991: Shadow Delegate and Senator for the District of Columbia
In 1991, Jesse Jackson served as a shadow delegate for the District of Columbia.
January 1992: Hosting CNN's "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson"
In January 1992, Jesse Jackson began hosting a CNN talk show, "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson". The program featured guests representing opposite sides of a single issue.
April 26, 1992: Meeting with Bill Clinton
On April 26, 1992, Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton had a 40-minute meeting and announced that they were both committed to defeating George Bush in the general election.
1992: Host of Both Sides with Jesse Jackson on CNN
In 1992, Jesse Jackson began hosting "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson" on CNN.
1996: Clinton Support and Ambassador Opportunity
In 1996, Jesse Jackson became a key ally in gaining African-American support for Bill Clinton. He declined the opportunity to become the United States Ambassador to South Africa, helping his son run for the House instead.
1996: Merger of Operation PUSH and Rainbow Coalition
In 1996, the Operation PUSH and Rainbow Coalition organizations were merged.
1997: Backing Al Sharpton for Mayor of New York City
In 1997, Jackson backed Al Sharpton in his bid for mayor of New York City, criticizing Alan Hevesi for refusing to support Sharpton in the event that he won the primary.
1997: End of Shadow Senator Role
In 1997, Jesse Jackson did not run for reelection as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia.
1997: Special envoy to Kenya
In 1997, Jesse Jackson traveled to Kenya as United States President Bill Clinton's special envoy for democracy to promote free and fair elections, meeting with Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi.
1997: End of term as shadow delegate and senator
In 1997, Jesse Jackson's tenure as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia concluded.
March 1999: Jackson announces he will not run for president
In March 1999, Jesse Jackson announced he would not be a candidate in the 2000 presidential election, stating his intent to continue championing the causes of education and health care reform and highlighting the "ongoing shame of our nation—the explosive growth of the prison-industrial complex."
April 1999: Negotiated release of U.S. POWs in Belgrade
In April 1999, during the Kosovo War and NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia, Jesse Jackson traveled to Belgrade to negotiate the release of three U.S. POWs captured on the Macedonian border. He met with then-Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević, who agreed to release the men. The Clinton administration did not sanction Jackson's negotiation.
March 1, 2000: Jackson endorses Al Gore for President
On March 1, 2000, Jesse Jackson endorsed Vice President Al Gore for president, citing Gore's experience as a former congressman, senator, and vice president.
2000: End of CNN Show
In 2000, Jesse Jackson's show "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson" on CNN came to an end.
2000: Jackson calls for voters to turn away from supporting Bush
In February 2004, Jackson delivered an address at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he 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 spoke in front of an estimated one million people in Hyde Park, London at the culmination of the anti-war demonstration against the imminent invasion of Iraq by the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
February 2004: Jackson addresses JFK School
In February 2004, Jesse Jackson delivered an address at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, calling for southern voters to turn away from the fears and despair that led to their support of Bush in 2000 and urging those feeling powerless to get involved.
November 2004: Encouraged cross-community relations in Northern Ireland
In November 2004, Jesse Jackson visited senior politicians and community activists in Northern Ireland to encourage better cross-community relations, rebuild the peace process, and restore the governmental institutions of the Belfast Agreement.
August 2005: Met with Hugo Chávez in Venezuela
In August 2005, Jesse Jackson traveled to Venezuela to meet Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, following controversial remarks by televangelist Pat Robertson. Jackson condemned Robertson's remarks. After meeting with Chávez and addressing the Venezuelan Parliament, Jackson said there was no evidence that Venezuela posed a threat to the U.S.
2005: Part of United Kingdom's Operation Black Vote
In 2005, Jesse Jackson was enlisted as part of the United Kingdom's Operation Black Vote, a campaign to encourage more of Britain's ethnic minorities to vote in political elections ahead of the 2005 General Election.
March 2007: Jackson supports Barack Obama's presidential bid
In March 2007, Jesse Jackson declared his support for then-Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
2008: Legacy of Presidential Campaigns
In 2008, Jesse Jackson's presidential campaigns were recognized as historic, credited with increasing black voter turnout and paving the way for Barack Obama's campaign. Donna Brazile praised Jackson for enabling a new generation of African Americans to serve through his campaign.
2009: Speaker for the International Peace Foundation
In 2009, Jesse Jackson served as a speaker for the International Peace Foundation on "Building a culture of peace and development in a globalized world". He visited multiple locations in Malaysia and Thailand.
2010: Alabama Gubernatorial Election
In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign and political observers said that Jackson's criticism could benefit Artur Davis, who was then a candidate in the 2010 Alabama gubernatorial election and positioning himself as a moderate Democrat.
2013: Attended Hugo Chávez's Funeral
In 2013, Jesse Jackson attended Hugo Chávez's funeral. Jackson told Wolf Blitzer that "democracies mature" and incorrectly said that the first 15 U.S. presidents owned slaves. He ended by saying that the U.S. had come "a mighty long way" since then.
2016: Jackson Endorses Hillary Clinton After Remaining Neutral in Primary
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.
June 2019: Comments on Biden's stance on school busing
In June 2019, as Joe Biden prepared to speak at Rainbow PUSH, Jesse Jackson expressed his reservations about Biden's prior support for segregated school busing, stating that he believed Biden had changed his views on the matter.
March 2020: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders
In March 2020, Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders for president in the primary. He said Sanders made several commitments to him, and it was reported that Jackson requested Sanders pick an African-American woman as his running mate.
July 2023: Announcement of stepping down as leader of Rainbow/PUSH
In July 2023, Jesse Jackson announced his decision to step down as the leader of Rainbow/PUSH due to his advanced age and health complications, including Parkinson's disease and previous hospitalizations in 2021.
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