Remembering Reverend Jesse Jackson

Image by Bill Haber / Associated Press

“On behalf of the Maryland Initiative for Literacy and Equity (MILE), I join so many others in reflecting on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson and the profound impact he has had on generations of leaders, advocates, and communities.

My first awareness of Rev. Jackson came when he ran for president. At the time, I think I was in 1st grade, still forming my understanding of leadership, justice, and voice. I remember my mother sharing her experience of seeing him speak while she was working at Virginia Union University. Even then, I could sense that she had witnessed something powerful, something larger than a single speech or moment in time.

Years later, I experienced a full-circle moment when I had the opportunity to hear him speak in person when he visited Morgan State University. Sitting in that space, I felt deeply connected not only to history, but to my mother’s footsteps and the path she helped lay for me. To be in the presence of someone who dedicated his life to civil rights, equity, and justice was both grounding and inspiring.  

Rev. Jackson’s work reminds us that the fight for equity is sustained across generations. It is carried forward through families, through education, and through communities committed to justice. I remain grateful to have witnessed, even in small ways, the ripple effects of his leadership and legacy."

Sincerely,
MILE Co-Director Simone Gibson, Ph.D.”