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By Gabe Whisnant
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From former presidents to an NBA Hall of Famer to prominent pastors, stories of the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.’s influence on American politics, corporate boardrooms and picket lines loomed large Friday during a marathon public celebration of life for the civil rights leader in Chicago.
The five‑hour tribute blended the rhythms of a church homegoing with the energy of a political rally, featuring Grammy‑winning gospel singers, appearances by Jennifer Hudson and speeches that repeatedly framed Jackson’s death as a call to action. Speakers urged mourners to carry forward his legacy through organizing, voting and continued advocacy for marginalized communities.
Obama credits Jackson with paving way for Black political leaders
Former President Barack Obama said Jackson’s presidential campaigns in the 1980s helped open doors for a generation of Black political leaders, including Obama himself.
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“The message he sent to a 22‑year‑old child of a single mother with a funny name, an outsider, was that maybe there wasn’t any place or any room where we didn’t belong,” Obama told a boisterous crowd of thousands. “He paved the road for so many others to follow.”
Obama, who launched his political career in Chicago, received one of the warmest receptions of the day. He credited Jackson with keeping him grounded and said he remained grateful for what he described as Jackson’s enduring “legacy of hope.”
‘A time when it can be hard to hope’
Obama also used the moment to reflect on the current political climate, drawing sustained applause as he warned that democratic norms face continued strain.
“We are living in a time when it can be hard to hope,” Obama said. “Each day we wake up to some new assault to our democratic institutions. Another setback to the idea of the rule of law, an offense to common decency. Every day you wake up to things you just didn’t think were possible.”
His remarks contrasted Jackson’s message of inclusion with what Obama described as the tone of current Republican leadership in Washington, a theme echoed by other speakers throughout the service.
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Clinton, Biden and Harris reflect on Jackson’s impact
Former President Bill Clinton said Jackson made him a better leader, recalling moments when Jackson pushed him to confront inequality more directly. “He knew change came from the inside out,” Clinton said.
Former President Joe Biden also addressed the crowd, reflecting on Jackson’s role in expanding the Democratic coalition and mobilizing voters who had long felt excluded from the political process.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about Jackson’s 1980s presidential campaigns and their lasting influence, even holding up campaign memorabilia she said she had kept from that era. Harris said Jackson’s runs helped redefine what was politically possible in the United States.
President Donald Trump, who praised Jackson on social media after his death and shared photos of the two together, did not attend the service.
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A gathering of political and cultural figures
The event drew a wide array of elected officials and cultural figures from across the United States and beyond. Among those in attendance were actor and producer Tyler Perry, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and political activist and theologian Cornel West.
Detroit Pistons great and Chicago native Isiah Thomas was among the speakers, offering reflections on Jackson’s influence beyond politics, particularly his emphasis on dignity, self‑worth and opportunity.
The breadth of attendees underscored Jackson’s reach across movements and generations, from civil rights and labor organizing to electoral politics and international diplomacy.
Thousands line up for final public tribute
Friday’s celebration, held at an influential Black church with a 10,000‑seat arena on Chicago’s South Side, was the largest of several memorials honoring Jackson. It followed earlier services in Chicago and South Carolina, where Jackson was born.
Long lines formed outside the church as mourners waited to enter, watching excerpts of Jackson’s most famous speeches on large television screens. Inside, vendors sold pins bearing his 1984 presidential campaign slogan and hoodies emblazoned with his signature phrase, “I Am Somebody.”
Marketing professional Chelsia Bryan said she attended for what she described as “the chance to be part of something historic.”
“As a Black woman, knowing that someone pretty much gave their life, dedicated their life to make sure I can do the things that I can do now, he’s worth honoring,” Bryan said.
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‘Everyone has a Jesse Jackson story,’ son says
Jackson died last month at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his mobility and ability to speak. Family members have said he continued coming into the office until last year, communicating through hand signals. His final public appearances included the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Addressing the crowd, Jackson’s eldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., said his father’s impact was deeply personal for countless people.
“Every single person in here has a Jesse Jackson story,” Jackson Jr. said. “The time he shook your hand, the time he prayed for you, the time he held you up, the time he prayed the funeral for somebody you know — and he prayed you to a new course of existence.”
The comment drew knowing laughter and applause from the audience.
Mourners reflect on a life of advocacy
Sitting among the crowd was 90‑year‑old Mary Lovett, who said Jackson’s advocacy inspired her throughout her life, from her move from Mississippi to Chicago in the 1960s to her years as an elementary school teacher and mother.
Lovett said she voted for Jackson during his presidential campaigns and admired how consistently he spoke up for people who were often overlooked.
“He’s gone, but I hope his legacy lives,” she said. “I hope we can remember what he tried to teach us.”
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A global advocate for the poor and underrepresented
A protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson rose to prominence during the civil rights movement and later became a two‑time Democratic presidential candidate. His pursuits took him around the globe, advocating for voting rights, health care access, job opportunities and education.
Through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which he founded, Jackson pressured corporations to diversify leadership and invest in underserved communities, channeling calls for Black pride and self‑determination into negotiations with executives and policymakers.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who described Jackson as a lifelong mentor, urged mourners not to let the moment pass without action.
“Don’t sit here so holy and sanctified and act like you have no assignment yourself,” Sharpton told the crowd. “We didn’t come this far to turn around now.”
‘The moral center,’ Yusef Jackson says
Another of Jackson’s sons, Yusef Jackson, who now leads the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, recalled his father carrying a well‑worn Bible while also showing up on picket lines and at protests.
“He lived a revolutionary Christian faith rooted in justice, nonviolence and moral righteousness,” Yusef Jackson said. “He was deeply involved in the political struggles of his time, but his gift was that he could rise above them.”
“It’s not about the left wing or the right wing,” he added. “It takes two wings to fly. For him, the goal was always the moral center.”
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Final services and unresolved plans
A private homegoing service for Jackson’s family and invited guests was scheduled for Saturday at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Plans for a memorial event in Washington, D.C., were shelved after House Speaker Mike Johnson declined a request to allow Jackson to lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, saying the space is typically reserved for select officials, including former presidents. No future plans for a Washington service have been announced.
As the Chicago service concluded, many lingered, embracing and singing softly, while Jackson’s words echoed through the arena — reminders of a life devoted to justice, dignity and the belief that progress, though difficult, remains possible.
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Updates: 3/6/26, 4:16 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new photos and information.
Updates: 3/6/26, 4:45 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new photos and information.
Updates: 3/6/26, 7:25 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new photos and information.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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