TAMPA, Fla. — The death of Rev. Jesse Jackson is a loss for people he affected all over the world, including here in the Tampa Bay area, where he made many stops over the years.
What You Need To Know
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson has died at the age of 84 | Read story
Pastor Thomas Scott on Tuesday recalled a 2011 visit by Jackson to Tampa
Former State Sen. Arthenia Joyner said she was the Tampa chair for both of Jackson’s presidential campaigns from her law office in Tampa
One of those stops was in 2011 at the 34th Street Church of God in Tampa, where senior pastor Thomas Scott serves as pastor. He remembers the visit as if it were yesterday.
“It was a big crowd, lot of people. Historic, really, to have an icon like Jesse Jackson come to town, someone who has run for president, someone who was very much engaged,” Scott said. “People held up signs and all kinds of things. This is where, at the conclusion of his speech, he talked about — repeat after me — I am somebody. I remember that well. That’s one of his favorite speeches at the close of it. I may be poor, but I am somebody. May be on welfare, but I am somebody.”
Jackson was at the church that day in 2011 to talk about voting rights.
“During that time it was about voting. They were trying to change some of the voting laws because of Obama being elected, and so there was a fight and push at that time by Jessie Jackson and a lot of people to make sure we move forward as opposed to regressing,” Scott said.
Jackson didn’t end up at his church by chance. Former State Sen. Arthenia Joyner brought him there. She first met Jackson in 1971.
“Fast forward to 1984, Jessie calls and says, ‘Arthenia, I’m going to run for president, and I want you to chair my campaign in Tampa,’” she said. “And of course, I did, and we ran a good campaign and he lost, of course. But in 1988, well, we stayed in contact and so in ’88, and he said, ‘Well, I’m going to try it again.”
Joyner said she was the Tampa chair for both of Jackson’s presidential campaigns from her law office in Tampa.
As a civil rights icon herself, she watched as Jackson marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and then when he became a leader for all people after Dr. King’s assassination. Now she says it’s all about legacy and continuing the work he dedicated his life to.
“This man, who changed the course of history in this country for all of the people, but especially for Black people, because he paved the way for our first Black president, and so God has a way of leveling the playing field and he said, ‘Come home my good and faithful servant, well done,’ and may he forever rest in peace,” Joyner said.
She is calling on Gov. Ron DeSantis to lower the flags at half-staff to honor the late Jesse Jackson. We reached out to the governor’s office, and they told us to stay tuned for updates.