As news of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing on February 17, 2026, resonates across the globe, UPTOWN takes a moment to honor a man who was more than a leader. Jackson was the “living bridge” of our movement from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights movement through President Barack Obama‘s elections and administrations to the present.

The Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. transitioned at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy that quite literally paved the road we walk on today. From the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement alongside Dr. King to the historic podiums of two presidential runs, Rev. Jackson taught us that we weren’t just “somebody,” we were a force to be reckoned with.

He didn’t just talk about a diverse “Rainbow Coalition,” he built it. He didn’t just register voters, he awakened a sleeping giant in Black political power. Whether Rev. Jackson was negotiating the release of hostages abroad or fighting for economic justice through Operation PUSH at home, his mission remained the same: Keep Hope Alive. To the activist who showed us that a Black man could dare to lead a nation decades before that came to fruition, we say thank you. Your voice was our rhythm, and your courage was our fuel.

Let’s honor Rev. Jackson the only way he’d want us to. Let’s stay organized, stay focused, and never let the hope fade.