WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday (2/17), the world lost Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., an iconic civil and human rights icon who championed justice, equality, diversity, inclusion, and peace.
The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) shared a statement expressing its deepest sympathies to Jackson’s family, staff, and friends.
In the early days of Reverend Jackson’s civil rights activism, he worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In fact, as the MMTC points out, Dr. King appointed him to serve as the first director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s (SCLC) Operation Breadbasket in Chicago.
After serving in this capacity and Dr. King’s death, he established Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), an organization dedicated to improving the economic conditions of African American communities across the United States. This was in 1971.
After a stab at succeeding President Reagan in 1984, Rev. Jackson launched the National Rainbow Coalition, which sought equal rights for all Americans. He again ran for President in 1988 and served as a “shadow senator” for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1996.
Jackson merged Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition in 1996, and one year later he received MMTC’s Everett C. Parker Lifetime Achievement Award, the organization’s highest honor given to a distinguished citizen who has rendered the most distinguished service, over many years, to diversity and inclusion in the media and telecom industries.
“Rev. Jackson was a front-line fighter for civil rights his entire life” said MMTC President/CEO Robert E. Branson. “He was a true leader who never lost his way and wasn’t afraid to speak the truth. His spirit will live on in all of us who continue to stand and fight for social justice and equality.”
Rev. Jackson has also played a key role with one of the nation’s largest religious broadcast operation. “He was very instrumental in helping me build The Word Network,” says founder and CEO Kevin Adell told RBR+TVBR. “He opened up many doors and went around the country with us to all of the cable networks. He went with me five times to see [then-FCC Chairwoman] Jessica Rosenworcel to get the sale of WADL-TV in Detroit approved for Mission Broadcasting.”
While that sale ultimately did not move forward, Adell will forever appreciate Jackson’s efforts in support of WADL-TV and The Word Network, which will air a memorial tribute at 8pm Eastern.
