October 8 |

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson

Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson was born October 8, 1941 In Greenville, South Carolina. Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. is a civil rights activist, politician and Baptist minister. Jackson transferred from the University of Illinois after his first year to North Carolina A & T State University where he became the Student Government President and quarterback of the football team. While at North Carolina A & T he became active in civil rights activities. Jackson attended Chicago Theological Seminary and was awarded a Master of Divinity. He became a part of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s inner circle and worked with him and the SCLC. Jackson was with King when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

He later founded People United To Save Humanity (Operation Push) in 1971. The organizations name was later changed to People United To Serve Humanity. Jackson ran for president in 1984 as well as 1988, becoming the second African American to run a national campaign for president after Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. He served as Shadow Senator from the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997.