Honoring the Legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson
We join communities across the country in mourning the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a lifelong champion for civil rights, voter empowerment, and economic justice.
Reverend Jackson’s impact reached far beyond national headlines. In 1996, he visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Rock Island to encourage Quad Cities residents to register and vote. Speaking to more than 200 community members gathered outside our building, he delivered a message that was both urgent and hopeful.
With honesty, humor, and conviction, he reminded those in attendance that democracy depends on participation. He called on neighbors to stand up, register, and make their voices heard. His words that day still echo:
“We must live together as brothers and sisters, not die apart as fools.”
That visit is a meaningful part of our Center’s history. It reflects what the MLK Center has always stood for: civic engagement, community empowerment, and removing barriers to opportunity.
As we continue our work in Rock Island and throughout the Quad Cities, we carry forward the spirit of leaders like Reverend Jackson. His life reminds us that justice requires participation, unity requires courage, and progress requires action.
You can read the original 1996 article about his visit to the MLK Center here: REV. JESSE JACKSON URGES VOTER REGISTRATION
Our vision remains clear:
A thriving, beloved community rooted in justice, equity, and respect for one another.
We honor his legacy by continuing the work.
