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Civil rights icon, former presidential candidate and beloved North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alumnus Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. ’64 passed away February 17 at the age of 84.
“Aggie Nation mourns the loss of our friend and international force for equality and justice, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.,” said North Carolina A&T Chancellor James R. Martin II. “The indelible mark he left on our university and indeed, on all of us is deeply felt this morning. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Jackson family and to all who knew him and benefitted from his life’s work.”
As a student at A&T, Jackson quickly emerged as a campus leader. He served as student government president, played quarterback on the Aggie football team and became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., one of the Divine Nine Black Greek-letter organizations, eventually serving as chapter president.
“This is the loss of one of the most consequential graduates of our university. I would say one of the most influential figures globally,” Martin added. “He took the lessons he learned at A&T and transcended the moral arc, taking it from protest and activism to policy, politics and power. That represents a large distance traveled. He became a global voice.”
Crystal W. Boyce ’07 ’15, associate vice chancellor for the Office of Alumni Relations, reflected on Jackson’s connection to the university.
“He was a giant in this world. But first off, he’s an Aggie. And every Aggie we lose is heartfelt. He had an impact on this world where so many people knew him. It hits us even heavier today,” Boyce said.
“Thinking about his legacy, he was a man, he’s a husband, a father, he’s a grandfather, but he was an advocate for civil rights, starting right here on this campus as a student. He took that to a national stage and continued to advocate for people.”
A frequent visitor to A&T for more than 60 years, Jackson regularly returned for what is widely known as the “Greatest Homecoming on Earth,” reconnecting with classmates and students. In 2021, he accompanied his wife, alumna Jacqueline L.B. Jackson ’67, as she received an honorary doctorate from the university.
“There were times Rev. Jackson would just show up on campus, and you would see him talking to students. He has done lectures in our history and political science classes. You would see him at the football games shouting, ‘Aggie Pride,’ and engaging with people. He loved North Carolina A&T,” Boyce said.
She added that his message will continue to transcend generations.
“One thing that N.C. A&T does is we learn about history here and we live it and breathe it every day. We will continue to teach our students history and what it means today. That they know, you have an opportunity to change things you don’t like; you can be a voice for change and know that you can look back at where history was, but you can also move forward,” she said.
N.C. A&T has created a memorial page on its website for those wishing to share tributes and reflections.
Jackson continued his close connection with Greensboro and higher education over the years. The International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro honored Jackson with its Lifetime Civil and Human Rights Award in 2018, recognizing his enduring contributions to civil rights during the museum’s annual gala. That same year, Jackson returned to Greensboro to deliver the baccalaureate address at Bennett College.
Guilford County Commissioner Melvin “Skip” Alston, and co-founder of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, shared a personal statement remembering Jackson as both a leader and mentor.
“Today, we gather to honor the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a beacon of hope and justice whose profound influence on our lives will never fade. To me, he wasn’t just a leader, he was a personal friend, a mentor, and a guiding force who helped shape the path I walk today.
Rev. Jackson’s commitment to justice, equality, and service to the people was unparalleled. He showed us the power of standing up, speaking out, and fighting for what is right, even when it seemed the odds were insurmountable. His words were not just rhetoric, they were calls to action that empowered us to step into our own power and to demand a world where every voice is heard.
As a young man, eager to serve my community here in Greensboro, I was inspired by his unwavering belief in the possibility of change, and through his mentorship, I found my own voice. He encouraged me to be an outspoken advocate, to lead with compassion, and to use my position as an elected official to give a platform to those whose voices are often silenced. The lessons he imparted, whether through quiet conversation or bold public actions, were always rooted in one principle, that we are all interconnected and have a responsibility to lift each other up.
Rev. Jackson’s impact on the world was immeasurable, but his impact on me, personally, is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I’m proud to have had the privilege of knowing him, learning from him, and calling him a friend. Today, we remember the man who showed us that with faith, courage, and unity, we can change the world.
Rest in power, Rev. Jackson. Your light will continue to shine through all of us,” he said.
Joyce Johnson, longtime community activist and co-founder of the Beloved Community Center, also reflected on Jackson’s compassion and courage.
“I’m sending condolences to the immediate family. I always found him to be a compassionate person. He was one of the first people who came to check on me and my husband, the late Rev. Nelson Johnson, after we were attacked by Nazis and Klansmen in what has come to be known as the 1979 Greensboro Massacre,” she said adding,
“I found him to be a courageous man. He went around the world negotiating with other world leaders to rescue prisoners of war. People criticized him, but he continued to do so many things that others did not have the courage to do. Greensboro was one of his homes. He loved Greensboro, and he is a son of Greensboro. I regret the loss of Rev. Jackson, but I understand that’s life, and I believe his legacy will live on, encouraging us to keep hope alive.”
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Jackson ’67, and their six children: Santita Jackson; Jesse L. Jackson Jr. ’87; Jonathan Jackson ’88; Jacqueline Jackson ’98; Yusef DuBois Jackson; and Ashley Laverne Jackson.
