Remembering the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson

Jesse Jackson was one of the last living connections to the Civil Rights era of the mid-20th century. He died last week at the age of 84 in Chicago. 

Jackson was based in the Windy City for most of his career. He ran for president twice. In his activism and in those campaigns, Jackson sought to bridge racial, gender, and other divides in American life.

Despite his national prominence, he was also involved in causes in Illinois, including Downstate — on behalf of women at an auto plant in Bloomington, high school students facing expulsion in Decatur, and everyone in Illinois left holding the bag when state leaders shirked their responsibility to pass a budget. A panel of Black leaders based in Illinois discuss their personal connections with Jackson and his role in the Civil Rights movement and in politics.

GUESTS

Courtney Carson 
Minister, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
Former member, Decatur Public Schools board

Marsha Barrett 
Professor of History, University of Illinois 

Hermene Hartman 
Founder and Publisher, N’DIGO 

Minnie Pearson 
President, Champaign County NAACP