The Martin Luther King protege who helped reshape America

Jesse Jackson, a protege of Martin Luther King Jr., rose to prominence during the US civil rights movement and became the first African-American to transition from activism to major-party presidential politics. He built a career around politically organizing and improving the lives of African-Americans, launching two presidential campaigns and advocating for a multiracial, multi-ethnic democracy focused on the poor and working class. Jackson's powerful oratory and message of hope resonated with many, influencing future political campaigns. After his presidential runs, he became a Democratic Party elder statesman. Later in life, Jackson faced personal scandals and health challenges, including a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease that was later changed to progressive supranuclear palsy. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson's work began in the 1960s.

Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84. Jackson was a prominent figure for over 50 years, known for his activism and two strong campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 1980s. He was involved in the civil rights movement since the 1960s and worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. Jackson's family stated that he was a servant leader who fought for justice and equality. He had been living with progressive supranuclear palsy for over a decade and had also been hospitalized with Covid in recent years. Born in 1941 in South Carolina, Jackson became involved in politics early in life, navigating the segregated South and later becoming a significant voice in national politics.