FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2026
Los Angeles Urban League Mourns the Passing of Civil Rights Icon Rev. Jesse Jackson
Los Angeles, CA — The Los Angeles Urban League joins the nation in mourning the passing of civil rights icon, global humanitarian, and fearless champion for justice, Rev. Jesse Jackson.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, members, and the communities we serve, we extend our deepest condolences to Rev. Jackson’s family and to all those across the world who were touched by his extraordinary life of service.
“Rev. Jesse Jackson was more than a leader — he was a moral force,” said Cynthia Mitchell-Heard, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. “He challenged America to live up to its highest ideals and demanded that opportunity, dignity, and economic justice be extended to all people. His iconic voice moved generations, and his courage reshaped the national conscience.”
For decades, Rev. Jackson stood on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement, carrying forward the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and building bridges across communities through his founding of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He fought tirelessly for voting rights, economic empowerment, labor equity, and global human rights — never wavering in his belief that justice must be inclusive and accessible.
The Los Angeles Urban League, founded in 1921 to advance economic self-reliance and civil rights for African Americans and underserved communities, recognizes Rev. Jackson’s legacy as foundational to the work we continue today. His life affirmed that advocacy must be bold, leadership must be principled, and service must be unwavering.
“The torch he carried has been passed to all of us,” added Ms. Mitchell-Heard. “As we grieve, we also recommit ourselves to the mission he embodied — to stand unapologetically for equity, to protect the most vulnerable among us, and to build pathways of opportunity that honor his lifelong fight for justice.”
The Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Urban League stands united in honoring Rev. Jackson’s enduring impact and pledges to continue advancing the movement he helped shape.
Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy will live on in every voice raised for fairness, every barrier broken, and every community empowered.