General · 17 February 2026
Jesse Jackson led two historic White House bids
A protege of Martin Luther King Jr, Jackson transitioned from 1960s activism to become a major force in national politics. He pioneered major-party success for black candidates through his two presidential attempts. His 1988 "keep hope alive" speech later echoed in Barack Obama's successful 2008 election messaging. The former elder statesman largely withdrew from public life following a diagnosis of a degenerative brain disease.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs