CHICAGO (WLS) — A significant chapter began for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition as Saturday marked the commencement of Yusef Jackson’s leadership.
For the first time, the coalition’s weekly meeting was guided by Jackson, who now holds the position of president and CEO. The meeting, held at the Rainbow PUSH headquarters located on Chicago’s South Side, addressed a range of pressing issues, offering attendees insights into the direction the organization might take under its new leadership.
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The Saturday Forum, a staple of the organization initiated by its founder, the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., welcomed the public to engage and participate. This tradition of open dialogue and community involvement continues to be a cornerstone of the coalition’s mission.
As the crowd gathered, there was a palpable call to action, signaling a renewed vigor within the organization with Jackson Sr.’s son at the helm. Earlier in the week, the board of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition had voted unanimously to appoint Yusef Jackson as the new president and CEO, marking a seamless transition in leadership.
The gathering urged action within the organization, now officially under the leadership of Jackson Sr.’s son.
This week, the organization’s board voted unanimously for Yusef Jackson to be the new president and CEO.
“Emotionally, I never imagined doing this work without my father around,” Yusef Jackson said.
On Saturday, Yusef Jackson brought together several speakers from a mentoring teen group called RISE UP to share positive work being done by Chicago’s young at Kenwood Academy High School.
City Clerk Anna Valencia was also invited to share information about Amnesty April for Chicagoans to avoid late fees and back charges on city stickers for their cars.
Another topic was concern about war.
“The violence needs to end,” said Shayna Lewis, National Director of Win Without War. “Too many lives have already been lost. Too much remains at risk.”
Yusef Jackson had been serving as COO of Rainbow PUSH for the last two years.
“The challenges we face are enormous there is a tremendous roll back of the rights we have,” Yusef Jackson said. “I don’t want this to be the end of the third reconstruction, and so we must fight.”
“I know he’s gonna do a great job, because the PUSH is for real, and his father’s blood is in him,” Rainbow PUSH member Nina Johnson said. “He’s got it… and we are behind him.”
“He spoke on a lot of issues that are impacting our community, and I know he’ll be the one to effect the change that we need,” Rainbow PUSH member Antonio Lee said.
Rev. Jackson’s legacy continues with his son at the helm, as members prepare for the Rainbow PUSH annual conference in June.
“We need all of us to continue the work, because if not, we are going to lose all the gains that we’ve made,” Rainbow PUSH member Eunice Wigfall said.
“We will rise, together. Together, we will rise,” Yusef Jackson said.
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