In some ways, the fact that there is no obvious individual to take the mantle is part of Jackson’s legacy, say civil rights activists, elected leaders and scholars. He advocated for leaders at all levels of government and activism carrying out different parts of the mission.

He was a father figure…the most influential person, male in my life,” Mathis told theGrio. Television Judge Greg Mathis is

Thousands of people from all walks of life visited the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's headquarters in Kenwood Thursday to show their gratitude for the civil rights leader, who died Feb. 17.

Jesse Jackson had died, grief quickly gave way to gratitude. “Wow, we had six decades where our society has been blessed with the presence of a Jesse Jackson, and I think we will appreciate this for years to come,

He ran for President twice on the concerns that still define American political life—inequality, affordability, and vanishing jobs.

A proclamation from the Eugene V. Debs Foundation in autumn of 1978 praised the Rev. Jesse Jackson for his candid style. The organization — based in Debs’ hometown of Terre Haute — had chosen Jackson