Chicago, February 17, 2026 — The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a towering figure of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and a close protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., has died at the age of 84. His daughter, Santita Jackson, confirmed that he passed away at home surrounded by family.

Jackson rose to national prominence as a young organizer in Chicago and was at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis shortly before King’s assassination in 1968. In the years that followed, he positioned himself as a leading voice for racial justice, economic equality and political empowerment.

Over decades of activism, Jackson championed voting rights, job creation, education access and healthcare equity. Through his organization, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, he pushed corporations and public institutions to expand opportunities for African Americans and other marginalized communities.

Jackson also made history as a two-time Democratic presidential candidate in the 1980s, breaking racial barriers in national politics and expanding the electoral coalition of minority voters. His campaigns paved the way for future generations of Black political leaders.

Known for his powerful oratory, Jackson frequently recited his signature affirmation, “I am Somebody,” a message of dignity and self-worth that resonated across racial and social lines.

With his passing, the United States loses one of its most enduring civil rights advocates, whose influence shaped American politics and social justice movements for more than half a century.