Central Floridians remember the legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson

ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of people across the nation are mourning the loss of civil rights advocate Rev. Jesse Jackson. The civil rights leader, Baptist minister and pioneering politician died Tuesday morning, his family said in a statement. He was 84 years old.

Central Floridians shared their stories of when their paths crossed with his.

What You Need To Know

Central Floridians who crossed paths with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, including former Florida State Rep. Dick Batchelor, highlighted his civil rights efforts. They all agree that his affect was felt across Florida and America

In 1996, during one of the visits to Central Florida, Jackson spoke to the crowd at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville, the nation’s oldest black community, urging people to vote

LaVon Wright Bracy said she and her late husband met Rev. Jackson 55 years ago, becoming good friends for decades. His husband worked with Jackson in Philadelphia

People in Central Florida who crossed paths with him highlighted his civil rights efforts. They all agree that his affect was felt across Florida and America.

As LaVon Wright Bracy looked at the back of a book she wrote in 2012, a part of it felt extra special on Tuesday, as she remembers the legacy of Jackson. 

“He said, ‘Let me send you something to put in the book.’ He said, ‘You put it somewhere.’ I said, ‘OK,’” she recalled.

She and her late husband met Jackson more than five decades ago. 

“I’ve known Jesse Jackson, I guess, for maybe 55 plus years. We, my husband and I, my family lived in Philadelphia. He had a program in Philadelphia. And in fact, my husband worked for him,” Bracy said.

Since then, both families have been very close.

“Jackson was instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement. His run for presidency in 1984 and ’88 changed the trajectory of Black and brown people as it will work as it relates to civil rights,” Bracy said.

“He was responsible for millions of people registering to vote, because he knew that he was not going to win. But he wanted to keep hope alive. And he motivated people. He told people all around the country that everybody is somebody. It resonated. People understood that if you want to make change, you have to do something about it.”

Jackson was also known for participating in demonstrations and working alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“I think the young generation really should embrace and learn about Jesse Jackson, about advocacy, how to reach out to the community, how to convene around issues on which you agree, how to bring people together, how to reach across the aisle. But more importantly, I think about his advocacy regarding civil rights and human rights,” former Florida State Rep. Dick Batchelor said.

Batchelor said he met Jackson during the Clinton administration in a delegation that went to South Africa to observe the elections and meet with then President Nelson Mandela.

Batchelor kept coming back to one word to describe him.

“Passionate, passionate, passionate, I think obviously very committed, very devout in his beliefs about civil rights and equal rights,” he said.

Jackson’s activism spanned decades, through bids for president and highlighting civil rights efforts.

He also founded the Rainbow Push Coalition, a multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international membership organization fighting for social change through advocacy and grassroots organizing.

“And during one of the political campaign rallies, he was pushing for the Rainbow Coalition and the movement that was part of the civil rights results, his continuing mobilization of civil rights,” Rev. Willie C. Barnes with the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church said.

In 1996, during one of the visits to Central Florida, Jackson spoke to the crowd at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville, the nation’s oldest black community, urging people to vote.

“He was one of those voices that kept us motivated, kept us interested, kept us involved, and told the truth as he understood to be for the betterment of our communities,” Rev. Barnes said.

He said Jackson’s words resonated with the community. 

“Very eloquent speaker,” he said. “Culturally, he was very involved, of course, being a product of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

Bracy said Jackson’s presence in a room was always felt as a force that brought people together.

“He demanded attention when you saw him, and you were just mesmerized by his words, his actions and what he wanted to do. And you could envision the kind of America he wanted to see and you wanted to be a part of making that vision come alive,” she said.

Those who met him believe he will continue to have a long-lasting impact.

“I don’t think that his legacy will die. It will live on forever,” Bracy said.

Leaders with the Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture also expressed their condolences. Executive Director of the museum and daughter of late state Sen. Geraldine Thompson, Elizabeth R. Grace, shared this photo from when she met Rev. Jackson nearly 40 years ago during his presidential campaign.

In a statement she said:

“Today is a deeply sad day as we mourn the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a giant of the Civil Rights Movement and a lifelong champion for justice, equity, and service.

Rev. Jackson inspired countless people to dedicate their lives to service, myself included. Nearly 40 years ago, I had the honor of meeting Rev. Jackson during his presidential campaign. At such a young and impressionable age, that moment left a mark on me, shaping my understanding of real leadership and courage.

From that moment forward, I followed Rev. Jackson’s career. Until he stepped out of the public spotlight, his words and actions helped me understand the great responsibility that we all have to stand up for justice and for our community.

As we mourn his passing, I ask each and everyone of us to also honor a life that transformed our country and a legacy that paved the way forward, not just for me, but for future generations of leaders.”