Jesse Jackson

Donald Trump and Jesse Jackson attend Tyson-Spinks Boxing Match on June 27, 1988

Why Trump Is Trying to Steal Jesse Jackson’s Glory Why Trump Is Trying to Steal Jesse Jackson’s Glory

The president wants you to know he had a Black friend, sort of.

Feb 20, 2026 / Jeet Heer

Jesse Jackson marching with striking San Francisco hotel workers in 2004.

Jesse Jackson Still Provides Light in These Dark Times Jesse Jackson Still Provides Light in These Dark Times

We would be wise to follow the path he forged.

Feb 18, 2026 / Obituary / Robert L. Borosage

Jesse Jackson at a rally against the Gulf War on January 18, 1991.

Jesse Jackson Gave Peace a Chance Jesse Jackson Gave Peace a Chance

The iconic civil rights leader, who has died at 84, made anti-war and pro-diplomacy politics central to his presidential bids and his lifelong activism.

Feb 17, 2026 / Obituary / John Nichols

Zohran Mamdani and Jesse Jackson

Zohran Mamdani Is Following a Trail That Jesse Jackson Blazed Zohran Mamdani Is Following a Trail That Jesse Jackson Blazed

Mamdani’s election represents a profound and seismic development in the country's political landscape—one set in motion by Jackson over 40 years ago.

Nov 20, 2025 / Steve Phillips

Kevin Alexander Gray.

Kevin Alexander Gray: The Movement’s Man in South Carolina Kevin Alexander Gray: The Movement’s Man in South Carolina

When Jesse Jackson said he wanted a delegation to the 1988 Democratic Convention that reflected his coalition, Kevin was one of the people who made sure it did.

Dec 18, 2023 / Obituary / JoAnn Wypijewski

Jesse Jackson attends an conference in Krakow, Poland, on August 1, 2019.

Jesse Jackson’s Politics of Peace Jesse Jackson’s Politics of Peace

His 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns called for ending military interventions, supported disarmament, and sought deep cuts in Pentagon spending.

Jul 14, 2023 / John Nichols

The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Jesse Jackson Is Keeping Hope Alive Jesse Jackson Is Keeping Hope Alive

Veterans of his remarkable insurgent 1988 campaign gather to pay tribute.

Jul 13, 2023 / Robert L. Borosage

Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson speaks

Brandon Johnson Is Surging in the Chicago Mayoral Race Brandon Johnson Is Surging in the Chicago Mayoral Race

The progressive has closed the gap with conservative front-runner Paul Vallas, thanks to a string of high-profile endorsements.

Mar 27, 2023 / John Nichols

Frank Watkins and Jesse Jackson.

Remembering Frank Watkins, Longtime Lieutenant to Jesse Jackson Remembering Frank Watkins, Longtime Lieutenant to Jesse Jackson

Though he preferred to work behind the scenes, Watkins was a crucial force in opening the Democratic Party to Black leadership—and pulling it to the left.

Sep 30, 2022 / Kevin Alexander Gray

Chinese American community leader Ying Lee Kelley

Remembering Ying Lee Remembering Ying Lee

Looking back at the life of a trailblazing activist and Berkeley’s first Asian American city council member.

Sep 21, 2022 / David Bacon

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