Standing Tall: Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Fire for Justice
Feb 18, 2026Posted by Cheryle Robinson Jackson
I was a sophomore in college sitting on the floor in my parents home watching Rev Jackson give his historic speech at the DNC in 1984. It lit a small fire of curiosity and calling.
When I became the first woman to lead the Chicago Urban League, Rev Jackson was there to welcome me into the civil rights family, rooting for me, encouraging me. And when I filed my first civil rights lawsuit, Reverend guided me through that thorny and fraught process and reminded me to stand tall all while supporting my leadership.
I will miss this giant of a man and I am grateful for his sacrifice and the sacrifice of his wife and children in sharing his fire for justice with the world.
The pic below with my mom and Rev Jackson is from my first Chicago Urban League Golden Fellowship Dinner.
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