Reel Urban News Special Report: A Friend Remembered
By Darrell L. Williams, Ph.D.
I was touched deeply by the loss of Reverend and Brother Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. While the world remembers and pays homage to one of the last great Civil Rights Icons and globally recognized drum major for peace and justice, I also remember him as a friend and gift to humanity.
I met Reverend Jackson many years ago as a student at Rust College and met him again in Chicago at the African World Festival. I had graduated from Rust College and was in the early years of my career as a teacher and later administrator. Like many others, upon meeting him, I reflected and said to myself, “This is the man on the iconic photo with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel. This is the Black man who ran for President of the United States.” I was also proud to say that he was my fraternity brother…as members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. However, after meeting him again, I felt so empowered. After telling Brother Jackson that I was a teacher with future ambitions, he thanked me for being a teacher and he told me that I had the power to change the world by shaping the minds of our children. He literally told me that I was somebody and the children I worked with were somebody! In a prophetic way, his words touched my spirit and served as a constant reminder of the important work I and we do with our children.
Over the years, I had the honor to engage with Brother Jackson on many occasions. I have always been in awe of his energy and willingness to extend his right hand to help make the crooked roads straight for poor people and bring justice to those who have been impacted by an unjust system.
I remember communicating with Brother Jackson and his team during the civil unrest in Kenosha after the shooting of Jacob Blake. Without hesitation, in the mist of the COVID 19 Pandemic and despite his own health, Brother Jackson said he would come to Kenosha and he came. He did not just come one time, Brother Jackson came on an ongoing basis and even led marches with the Blake Family and other leaders like Greg Bennett, Dr. Kweku Amoasi and Lena Taylor, until the civil unrest ceased. Furthermore, Brother Jackson came back to Kenosha to support the rebuilding of Kenosha….Kenosha Strong!
On the many occasions that I had the honor of spending with Brother Jackson, one of my favorite moments was after a long day of marching and meetings in Kenosha, he looked over at me and Brother Rashawn Jackson and said Brother Williams, “I am hungry.” I then asked, “What do you have taste for?” and he said, “Do y’all have a Cracker Barrel?” I said, “Yes sir, it’s about 5 minutes away.” Brother Jackson said, “Let’s go!”
Therefore, we went and had a late evening dinner at Cracker Barrel. As you can imagine, when we walked in, everyone in Cracker Barrel was looking like, ‘Is that Reverend Jackson who just walked in and eating with us at Cracker Barrel?’ But most impressively, during the approximately 2 hours that we spent at Cracker Barrel, it felt like a father or mentor sitting with his sons and mentees providing knowledge and guidance to navigate the obstacles and challenges of life and the world affairs.
As well, we discussed the need to understand the politics and poli-tricks in order to continue to improve the overall conditions of disenfranchised people here and all over the world. I, along Brother Rashawn Jackson, sat there listening and realizing the power of the moment.
We were literally sitting there with Brother Jesse Jackson, ‘A Giant,’ getting a Masterclass from ‘the man’ himself! It reminded me of a stanza from Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” that stated, “If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue and walk with Kings nor lose the common touch.” During that time, we talked about everything from school and the power of education, fraternity business, civil unrest, to civil rights then and now. But most heartfelt, Brother Jesse Jackson was truly concerned about us personally and professionally. Furthermore, Brother Jackson extended the right hand of friendship and comradeship as well as his personal influence and resources to help us in the future.
Shortly after this experience, I, along with Dr. Kweku Amoasi and other Omega brothers met with Brother Jackson several times at Operation Rainbow Push (ORP). Brother Jackson was so humble and gracious during each visit. We all joined as members of ORP during our visit. Brother Jackson then gave us a book, a shirt, a pin, and a picture of which he took the time to sign each item for all of us.
On another occasion, I was invited and honored to stand with Brother Jackson during a press conference supporting the Family of Brother Jelani Day at Operation Rainbow Push.
While there, I, along with Brother Rashawn Jackson helped pass out food to the needy. Rashawn even presented Brother Jesse Jackson with a copy of his book. Later, I was again honored to be invited to Brother Jackson’s 82nd Birthday Party…where I did some of the photography.
Hence, the passing of Reverend and Brother Jesse Jackson ‘hit’ a little different.
In that spirit, I, along with Omega Men from around the world, was honored to attend, participate and photograph our Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Memorial Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Reverend and Brother Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. He was truly a Brother who lived and defined our Omega Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift!
As well, I was blessed to attend the Historic Homegoing Ceremony at the legendary House of Hope Church with Lena Taylor, Queen Mother Jeanette Herrera and Tomika Vukovic. It was a who’s who of personalities in attendance ranging from former presidents, legislators, movies stars and common folk like me. However, no one was as iconic and revered as the man himself….the one we came to memorialize…..Reverend and Brother Jessie Louis Jackson! We uplifted him the way he uplifted us. As his son Jonathon said, “Rise Jesse Rise!”
Reverend and Brother Jesse Jackson inspired a nation, especially African Americans and other minorities to believe they could be greater than their circumstances. His words of hope and inspiration are prophetic and timeless! Brother Jackson’s empowering chant and slogan of “Keep Hope Alive” is more than just a slogan. Those words are just as or more relevant now than they were then. When he said, “You may be poor, but you are somebody!” These words connected to every poor person regardless of race, it planted the seed that grew in their hearts and minds and made them believe that they were somebody, despite their present condition. When he said, “I may have been born in the slums, but the slums were not born in me and the slums were not born in you….and You Can Make It!” As a poor ‘Po’ boy coming from the cotton fields of Abbeville, Mississippi with no running water or ‘pot to piss in or window to throw it out of,’ these words spoke directly to my spirit and uplifted me to achieve beyond my present situation and rise from the pit of poverty and experience the American Dream—as I am too America! The power and spirit of Brother Jackson’s words continue to inspire, empower, uplift and provide hope to our people today!
While common after death and in this case, people expressed their appreciation and admiration for Brother Jackson. However, one of the most impactful, heartfelt, meaningful and beautiful tributes was given in life during a face to face meeting between Reverend and Brother Jesse Louis Jackson and Minister and Brother Louis Farrakhan. (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ED4HQSKtT/?mibextid=wwXIfr).
The meeting and words exchanged between these two Great men, both Omega Men, who ‘in their youth’ gave their lives to fight injustice and uplift our people met in the twilight dim of their later years to express their love and admiration for …. from one brother to another. Their bravery and courage will forever link them and uplift them to someday sit together again at the table with the most high God! A friendship and bond that even death cannot separate or break!
While many will remember the iconic picture of Brother Jackson standing on the balcony with Dr. Martin Luther King when he died, I ask you to also remember the picture of Brother Jackson and Cesar Chavez sitting in the field fasting while fighting for a better life for Black and Brown people. I also ask you to remember the picture of Brother Jackson after negotiating the freedom of those captured Soldiers and the look in their eyes. In a world filled with racism, it was Reverend and Brother Jesse Jackson, Minister and Brother Louis Farrakhan, and others who were members of the Interfaith delegation to Damascus in 1984 which led to the successful release and freedom of captured Navy Pilot Lieutenant Robert Goodman who was held by the Syrians after his aircraft was shot down over the Syrian controlled territory in Lebanon. Upon hearing of Brother Jesse Jackson’s passing, Lt. Goodman, who is now 69 and a retired commander said, “I’ve been eternally grateful to Rev. Jackson and his family for his efforts in securing my release.” (https://www.stripes.com/history/2026-02-18/jesse-jackson-service members-rescue-20794862.html)
Furthermore, I asked you to remember the faces of the Soldiers Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Stone, Staff Sgt. Andrew A. Ramirez and Spc. Steven M. Gonzales were on a NATO observation patrol on March 31, 1999, when Serbian troops took them by force and accused them of crossing illegally into Yugoslavia along the Macedonia border. It was Brother Jesse Louis Jackson who led another religious delegation that secured their release on May 2, 1999. (https:// www.stripes.com/history/2026-02-18/jesse-jackson-service-members-rescue-20794862.html)
The crux of the matter is that Reverend Brother Jesse Jackson’s global greatness and impact cannot be isolated or minimized! He was truly a King who walked with Kings, but unlike many others, Brother Jackson never lost the common touch! Brother Jessie Louis Jackson is truly one of one!
In essence and with the highest admiration, from one country boy to another, this is a life well lived for a poor country boy who came from a teen age mother with 3 last names! I understand! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya_2kCpEPUg)
His life serves as a lesson in resilience, hope and inspiration! If you don’t know anything about Reverend and Brother Jesse Louis Jackson, you should know this…..You are somebody! Keep Hope Alive! Never Give Up! Keep Your Head Up! Stick Your Chest Out! Keep the Faith! Faith Will Never Disappoint! YOU CAN MAKE IT!
Now let us accept the challenge and grab the baton and keep moving our people forward! I will miss my friend!
May God be pleased with his service!
Darrell L. Williams, Ph.D., is a distinguished educator, civic leader and Retired 29-year Combat Veteran (Awarded Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal), Rust College Graduate C/O 1993. Dr. Williams is an Editor at Large for ReelUrbanNews.com.
All original photos were taken by DLW and are the property of Darrell L. Wiliams Photography.