By DaQuan Lawrence
Legendary civil rights activist Jesse Jackson Sr. has introduced that he’ll step down because the chief of his Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition (RPC). On July 16, throughout the annual Rainbow PUSH Coalition conference, Frederick Douglass Haynes III, was launched as the brand new President and CEO of Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Jackson based the worldwide human and civil rights group in 1971, by way of a merger of Operation Push and the Nationwide Rainbow Coalition.
In a press release launched by Rainbow PUSH, the group declared that
“Reverend Jesse Jackson is formally pivoting from his function as president of Rainbow PUSH Coalition.”
The assertion famous that Jackson’s influence within the combat for civil rights has circumvented the globe.
“ some of the productive, prophetic and dominant figures within the wrestle for social justice in American historical past,” mentioned Rev. Al Sharpton, president and founding father of the Nationwide Motion Community (NAN), and a mentee of Rev. Jackson.
Sharpton was a protégé of Jackson’s for the reason that second his mom introduced him to the civil rights large at 12 years outdated. On the time, Sharpton was to function the youth director for the New York chapter of Operation Breadbasket.
“After I spoke with him…I instructed him that we’ll proceed to glean from him and be taught from him and duplicate him in no matter our organizations and media platforms are,” Sharpton concluded.
RPC seeks to empower folks by way of grassroots advocacy and forge connections between the group and the disenfranchised.
Jackson, 81, was recognized with Parkinson’s illness in 2017.
The management switch between the historic human rights determine and Haynes befell on the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, Md. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke throughout the occasion and celebrated Rev. Jackson for many years of service to the group.
“It’s my pleasure to congratulate Reverend Dr. Freddy Haynes. I’ve recognized him and labored with him for over 20 years, together with once we labored collectively within the early days of the prison justice reform motion,” mentioned Vice President Harris throughout her remarks.
Vice President Harris additionally articulated her confidence in Dr. Haynes as Jackson’s successor.
“I’m so assured in his management and his potential to hold on the best traditions of this group and to fulfill the challenges of this second,” she mentioned.
Haynes is greatest often known as a social justice pastor and advocate for marginalized communities. Along with this new function as chief of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Haynes is the senior pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church, a megachurch in Dallas, Tx., with greater than 13,000 members.
Recognized nationally as a “drum main for justice,” Haynes’ ministry is targeted on the intersections of religion and justice, as he works diligently to face up for justice and to create optimistic change.
“The work of Rainbow PUSH is as essential as ever and I’m dedicated to standing on the shoulders of Rev. Jackson and persevering with the combat for freedom, peace, fairness, justice and human rights,” mentioned Haynes acknowledging Jackson for his foundational management of RPC.
Based on the RPC’s archives, the group was impressed by the antiracist and multicultural Rainbow Coalition motion based in 1969 by José Jiménez, William Fesperman, and Fred Hampton. Traditionally, PUSH (Individuals United to Save Humanity – later modified from “Save” to “Serve”) was a company devoted to enhancing the financial situations of Black communities throughout the USA.
Within the Seventies, PUSH expanded into areas of social and political improvement utilizing direct motion campaigns, a weekly radio broadcast, and awards that honored outstanding blacks within the U.S. and overseas. The group was instrumental throughout Jackson’s presidential runs in 1984 and 1988.
As Jackson’s successor, Haynes brings a wealth of expertise with him to the helm of RPC, and he additionally serves as a instructor at a number of establishments of upper studying. He has acquired quite a few awards and honors for his ministry and activism.
“The NAACP congratulates Reverend Frederick D. Haynes on his new function because the President and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition,”mentioned Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO.” A person of religion, conviction, and mind, we’re assured that his a long time of public service and management will carry this historic group ahead at a pivotal second.”
“The NAACP is happy to proceed working collaboratively with PUSH in direction of a brighter America. Congratulations, Reverend Haynes,” mentioned Johnson.
In 2012, Ebony Journal named him one of many 100 most influential African Individuals, and he was additionally inducted into the Nationwide Black Faculty Alumni Corridor of Fame. In 2016, Haynes was inducted into the Worldwide Civil Rights Stroll of Fame, and in 2022, he was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Management Award in Group Service by President Biden.
“Rev. Jesse Jackson has made the world a greater place, breaking down obstacles, opening beforehand locked doorways of alternative, combating for justice and refusing to take ‘no’ for a solution on behalf of those that don’t have any voice,” mentioned Haynes. “Rainbow PUSH has been the organizational car that he has pushed within the motion for justice. I’m honored and humbled that he has ‘tapped’ me to function his successor.”
