WESH TWO NEWS STARTS NOW. THE NATION IS MOURNING THE LOSS OF LONGTIME CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST REVEREND JESSE JACKSON. HIS FAMILY SAYS THE BAPTIST MINISTER AND TWO TIME PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DIED THIS MORNING. WESH 2’S CHRISTINA WATKINS LOOKS BACK ON HIS LIFE AND LEGACY HERE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. I AM SOMEBODY REVEREND JESSE JACKSON SPENT DECADES PUSHING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. HIS EFFORTS TOUCHED THE LIVES OF MANY CENTRAL FLORIDIANS. I HAD THE HONOR OF PERSONALLY KNOWING HIM. HE DEDICATED HIS LIFE AS WE KNOW TO JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND SERVICE. SO THIS LOSS IS PROFOUND NOT ONLY FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA, BUT OUR COUNTRY AND DARE I SAY, THE WORLD LEADERS AT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA SAY THE REVEREND REMINDS THEM TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR WHAT’S RIGHT HERE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. HE DEFINITELY HELPED SHAPE SOME OF THE INITIATIVES THAT HE DID THROUGH RAINBOW PUSH COALITION TO UPLIFT ALL PEOPLE. AND WE’RE ALL JUST SO GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THAT HE DID, BECAUSE MYSELF AND MANY OTHERS, WE DEFINITELY STAND ON HIS SHOULDERS. THE PASTOR OF MOUNT SINAI MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN ORLANDO ALSO SAYS HE STANDS ON THOSE SHOULDERS. REVEREND JACKSON VISITED THE CONGREGATION IN 2020. HIS MOST FAMOUS SLOGAN, KEEP HOPE ALIVE, KEEP HOPE ALIVE, KEEP HOPE ALIVE. WE HAVE A GREAT LOSS. BUT AS THE SONG SAYS, PRECIOUS MEMORIES, HOW THEY LINGER. BUT MY GRANDMOTHER WOULD SAY OUR LOSS IS HEAVEN’S GAIN. REVEREND JACKSON ALSO CAME TO ORLANDO AFTER THE DEATH OF TRAYVON MARTIN IN 2012. HE SPOKE EXCLUSIVELY WITH WESH TWO ABOUT CALLS FOR JUSTICE, TRAYVON MARTIN CASE OPENS UP A DIALOG THAT HAS BEEN AVOIDED FOR TOO LONG. REVEREND JESSE JACKSON MEANT SO MUCH TO SO MANY PEOPLE. CHRISTINA WATKINS WESH TWO NEWS. REVEREND JACKSON WAS 84 YEARS OLD. HIS DAUGHTER CONFIRMED HER FATHER, WHO HAD A RARE
Central Florida leaders mourn the loss of Rev. Jesse Jackson
Central Florida leaders remember the Rev. Jesse Jackson for his dedication to justice and equality.
Updated: 6:07 PM EST Feb 17, 2026
The nation is mourning the loss of longtime civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson.His daughter confirmed the 84-year-old, who had a rare neurological disorder, died Tuesday morning at home in Chicago. He was surrounded by family.Jackson spent decades advocating for justice and equality around the U.S. and the world. Central Florida leaders remember him for his profound impact on the community and beyond. His efforts touched the lives of many in the region, inspiring leaders to continue fighting for what is right.”I had the honor of personally knowing him. He dedicated his life, as we know, to justice, equality and service. So, this loss is profound, not only for Central Florida, but our country and, dare I say, the world,” Tanisha Nunn Gary, CEO and president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida said.As Gary reflected on Jackson’s life, she said the pioneer is a reminder to persist in their efforts for justice. “Here in Central Florida, he definitely helped shape some of the initiatives that he did through Rainbow PUSH Coalition to uplift all people, and we’re all just so grateful for the work that he did, because myself and many others, we definitely stand on his shoulders,” Gary said.”He was a servant leader. We hear that phrase all the time, but through his faith, through his actions. He stood up for justice. He stood up for opportunities for generations of people. So, when I think about servant leadership, I think about him.”The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is the result of a merger between Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition. Established in 1971 by Jackson, People United to Save Humanity (later changed from “Save” to “Serve”)–PUSH, was an organization dedicated to improving the economic conditions of Black communities across the United States. “He allowed us to see a man who, despite his upbringing from South Carolina, despite what he went through growing up, he wanted us to see a man who had been in the thick of it all through civil rights, through boycotts, through sit-ins, through marching, you know, all the way through becoming a businessman, establishing himself, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, all of those things he became, in spite of he exceeded expectations,” Dr. Lantz Mills, pastor at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando said.Jackson visited the congregation in 2020 during the presidential campaign season.”I was executive at that time, my father was still pastor until he retired in 2020, but he just kept stressing the importance of being true,” Mills said.Jackson also visited Orlando after the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012, speaking exclusively with WESH 2 about the need for justice and dialogue.”His most famous slogan, ‘Keep hope alive.’ We have a great loss, but as the song says, precious memories, how they linger. However, my grandmother would say our loss is heaven’s gain. Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson meant so much to so many people,” Mills said.
, Fla. —
The nation is mourning the loss of longtime civil rights activist the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
His daughter confirmed the 84-year-old, who had a rare neurological disorder, died Tuesday morning at home in Chicago. He was surrounded by family.
Jackson spent decades advocating for justice and equality around the U.S. and the world. Central Florida leaders remember him for his profound impact on the community and beyond. His efforts touched the lives of many in the region, inspiring leaders to continue fighting for what is right.
“I had the honor of personally knowing him. He dedicated his life, as we know, to justice, equality and service. So, this loss is profound, not only for Central Florida, but our country and, dare I say, the world,” Tanisha Nunn Gary, CEO and president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida said.
As Gary reflected on Jackson’s life, she said the pioneer is a reminder to persist in their efforts for justice.
“Here in Central Florida, he definitely helped shape some of the initiatives that he did through Rainbow PUSH Coalition to uplift all people, and we’re all just so grateful for the work that he did, because myself and many others, we definitely stand on his shoulders,” Gary said.
“He was a servant leader. We hear that phrase all the time, but through his faith, through his actions. He stood up for justice. He stood up for opportunities for generations of people. So, when I think about servant leadership, I think about him.”
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is the result of a merger between Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition. Established in 1971 by Jackson, People United to Save Humanity (later changed from “Save” to “Serve”)–PUSH, was an organization dedicated to improving the economic conditions of Black communities across the United States.
“He allowed us to see a man who, despite his upbringing from South Carolina, despite what he went through growing up, he wanted us to see a man who had been in the thick of it all through civil rights, through boycotts, through sit-ins, through marching, you know, all the way through becoming a businessman, establishing himself, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, all of those things he became, in spite of he exceeded expectations,” Dr. Lantz Mills, pastor at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando said.
Jackson visited the congregation in 2020 during the presidential campaign season.
“I was executive at that time, my father was still pastor until he retired in 2020, but he just kept stressing the importance of being true,” Mills said.
Jackson also visited Orlando after the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012, speaking exclusively with WESH 2 about the need for justice and dialogue.
“His most famous slogan, ‘Keep hope alive.’ We have a great loss, but as the song says, precious memories, how they linger. However, my grandmother would say our loss is heaven’s gain. Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson meant so much to so many people,” Mills said.