Jesse Jackson, 1989. (Photo: Mark Junge/Getty Images)

The late Jesse Louis Burns, professionally known as Reverend Jesse Jackson, has passed away at the age of 84.

Jackson was born in Greenville, South Carolina (on October 8, 1941), and cemented a legacy for himself through his Baptist missionary work, political activism, and human rights initiatives. Throughout his decades-long career, he positively impacted the lives of millions of Black men, women, and children by rallying, marching, and petitioning for equal rights and shared freedoms within and outside their communities.

Jesse Jackson. (Photo: Larry Graff/Sun-Times)

As a prolific champion of diversity and Black Liberation, Jackson was very vocal about the United States’ systemic racism, biased health care and educational systems, and the industrial prison complex. Mentored by Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackson participated in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference early on, became a prominent civil rights leader from the 1960s to the present, and formed the social justice organization Rainbow-PUSH Coalition.

A fierce critic of the country’s conservative leadership, Jackson ran twice for US President, in 1984 and 1987. Although his presidential bids were unsuccessful, Jackson remained a supporter of—and oftentimes an advisor to—several Democratic presidents, including Barack Obama, and was a mentor to fellow civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton.

Jesse Jackson, 1984. (Photo: Mickey Adair/Getty)

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Jackson passed away. A statement from his family said, “he died peacefully, surrounded by his family.” He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline “Jackie” Jackson, and their children: Santita Jackson, Jesse Jackson, Jr., Jonathan Luther Jackson, Yusef Jackson, and Jacqueline Jackson; his daughter, Ashley Jackson; and several grandchildren.  

Jackson’s homegoing service has been set for Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Rainbow Push headquarters in Chicago (930 East 50th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60615).