NAACP Honors Reverend Jesse Jackson on his Retirement as Founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

July 17, 2023

Contact: Alicia Mercedes, amercedes@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON – Today, the NAACP celebrates the work and accomplishments of our friend, Reverend Jesse Jackson. Throughout the course of his decades-long activism, Reverend Jackson has opened Chicago to the world while fighting to ensure Democracy works for everybody. 

A life-long friend to the movement and recipient of the Association's highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, Reverend Jackson's legacy is forever engrained in the fabric of the NAACP. This is a bittersweet day for the Civil Rights Movement but we remain inspired to carry the Reverend's torch forward, using the tools we have to make our dreams a reality.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.