Jonathan Luther Jackson, son of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr and godson of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr may be set to announce his candidacy for Mayor of Chicago after the Labor Day Holiday season according to sources. And coincidentally, today, I visited the Saturday Morning Community Forum and Broadcast of The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a forum and broadcast that I used to moderate and direct as staff announcer when I was Field Director for the organization, following in the footsteps of Attorney E. Duke McNeil, and Rev. George Edgar Riddick two elders who both trained me a young staff member of the organization. I was there today to fulfill the promise I made to many of the members and Rev. Jackson that I needed to come back and help rebuild grassroots membership and support for the Saturday forum and reconnecting grassroots people to the ongoing work of the organization.
Today, while at PUSH, a couple of the members approached me and made the comment that "we are glad to see you come back in time to help Jonathan with his campaign," and of course my "journalist" cap came on when I asked "What Campaign,?" and they went on to say that Jonathan was planning to make an official declaration or Exploratory announcement sometime after Labor Day. I responded that I was not back at PUSH today to connect with anyone for that purpose of a Jackson Campaign For Mayor, but I did say that "if he is, then he needs to do it soon and step up strong if he is going to try and prove that is is the one candidate that can ignite the Black base." Because of who Jonathan Jackson is and the personal, professional, and political influence of his family name and "Rainbow" ties, he does indeed have the capacity to become an immediate front runner as a sound candidate from the Black community, as well as sound constituency contacts across racial lines, and most importantly his business connection could strongly position him with the financial capacity to sustain a real visible and winnable campaign against Mayor Daley.
But I also realized that there are at least two other candidates from the Black community who I know feel that they too have built a foundation for a winnable campaign, Attorney Christopher Cooper and Businessman/Activist William "Dock" Walls, so now is the Black community and its resources about to be divided with no consensus that at some date certain the Black community should have a united front around one strong candidate? Now this revelation made me change my original plans and go to the offices of my Black Leadership Development Institute, BLDI and South Street Journal Newspaper and immediately begin to contact a number of grassroots organizers and independent media people to convene some sort of "One Black Candidate Process." I'd like to think that I know them and many of their key supporters well enough that they all know that The Black community should be able to unite around one candidate, but I also know how political ego's can totally convince a candidate and campaign that they are best choice all the way to the end, but Chicago's Black electorate core base of over 300,000 eligible voters have not voted for a Black Mayoral candidate to defeat Daley in over 20 years and in my judgment the only thing that will get then awake and up and out is a united front.
If the radio audience on Chicago's legendary Black Talk Station WVON is any indication of the support for Jonathan the he surely would be one step ahead of the other two, for City College "Professor" Jonathan is a regular contributor to the Cliff Kelley show
, and no matter what the topic is that Jonathan is addressing, he can never get away from the callers who regularly say that he should be a candidate for Mayor, and not just WVON, but Jonathan would almost immediately generate more media attention from all media outlets than the other two candidate are struggling to get.
Well of course the organizer, activist, analyst, and journalist hats in me forced them all to change my outdoor holiday plans today and the weekend in preparation of a possible announcement of Jonathan Jackson For Mayor Of Chicago and how this one announcement will immediately impact the Chicago Mayor's Race and the potential of waking up a sleeping giant of over 300,000 Black voters who have been waiting for over 20 years a for candidate to emerge with a real shot of defeating Mayor Daley and if Jonathan Jackson, the son of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr, brother in law to Alderman Sandi Jackson, brother of Congressman Jesse Jackson and godson of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is FINALLY that Black candidate who time has come. Stay Tuned.
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Jonathan Jackson (activist)
| Jonathan Luther Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 7, 1966 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Known for | Civil rights activist, businessman, professor |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Marilyn Richards |
| Parents | Jesse L. Jackson, Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson |
Jonathan Luther Jackson (born January 7, 1966) is a civil rights activist, businessman and professor. He is the national spokesman for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and a partner in a Chicago-based beer distributorship, River North Sales and Service, LLC.
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[edit] Early life
Jackson was born Jonathan Luther Jackson in Chicago, Illinois, to the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a noted civil rights activist and Baptist minister, and Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson. His godfather was the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
from which Jackson draws his middle name. The middle child of his
parents' five children, Jackson's siblings are Santita Jackson and U.S.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., his elders, and Yusef, Jacqueline Jackson and Ashley, his younger siblings.[1]
[edit] Education
Jackson attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, where he was a student-athlete.
He attended his parents' alma mater, North Carolina A & T University in Greensboro, North Carolina, to study business.[2][3] He is a graduate of the Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.[4]
[edit] Family
Jackson married Marilyn Ann Richards of Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1995.[5]
[edit] Civil and human rights activism
Born into a family steeped in human rights activism, Jackson has traveled the world as an aide de camp to his father.[6] He traveled to Syria in 1983, when the Rev. Jackson negotiated with Syrian President Hafez al-Assad to release captured American pilot Navy Lt. Robert Goodman.[7] He met Fidel Castro in 1984, when his father negotiated the release of twenty-two Americans being held in Cuba.[8] He was also with his father in August 2005, when the Rev. Jackson traveled to Venezuela to meet Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.[9] This followed controversial remarks by televangelist Pat Robertson where he implied Chávez should be assassinated. Jackson condemned Robertson's remarks as immoral.[9]
In 2007, Jonathan Jackson took on the issues of innocence and juvenile justice as national spokesman for the RainbowPUSH Coalition.[10]
Jackson has highlighted the personal stories and continued trials of
those who accused the Chicago Police Department of torturing them to
obtain confessions that landed them in prison. They include Darrell
Cannon,[11]
who faced the death penalty for a 1983 drug-related murder. Cannon was
released after accepting a January 2001 deal to abandon his torture
claim in exchange for being released, according to the Northwestern
Center on Wrongful Convictions. Jackson has also showcased the travails
of the Rev. Oscar Walden, who in 1952 became Illinois' first exoneree.
Walden was freed after being sentenced to 75 years for a rape he did
not commit.[12]
Jackson has championed the cause of Johnnie Lee Savory,[13]
a Peoria native who was convicted of stabbing to death his friends,
Connie Cooper, 19, and her brother, James Robinson, 14, in their Peoria
home in 1977. After serving 38 years in prison, Savory was released on
parole December 19, 2006. Jackson is among several notables who have
petitioned the Illinois governor -- first Rod Blagojevich, then Pat Quinn -- to order DNA
testing in the Savory case to prove that not only did Savory not kill
his friends, but also to pinpoint the person widely suspected of
committing the crime.[14]
In 2008, he turned his attention to closures of Chicago Public Schools.[15]
He has led several schools to public hearings and civic education
training to thwart school closures and turnarounds by private companies
in favor of investing in existing schools and keeping a community's
institutional memory intact -- especially in highly mobile neighborhoods
where large numbers of students are homeless or living on the economic
margins.[16] In February 2010, he succeeded in helping Guggenheim Elementary School get off the closure list.[17]
Guggenheim is situated in the Englewood community on the city's South
Side. Jackson, among others, made the case that forcing students to
walk any further to school put them in harm's way. They also made the
case that Guggenheim's test scores have steadily improved and it had a
close-knit community that possessed the momentum to achieve further
gains. Previously, Jackson had persuaded school officials to abandon
plans to close Holmes Elementary School, in addition to others.[15]
Jackson's view of outsourcing public education mirrors that of an
emerging vocal group of educators like New York University's Diane
Ravitch[18]
and activists who assert that over-reliance on test scores and
privatizing of public schools through wholesale charters and
outsourcing allows schools to cherry-pick their student bodies while
siphoning resources from the most marginalized children. They consider
programs like No Child Left Behind and charter schools as a divestment of public education.[19]
[edit] Career
Jackson started his career in 1988 at Drexel Burnham Lambert as an investment analyst for Michael Milken, an American financier and philanthropist, noted for his role in developing a market for high-yield bonds known as junk bonds.
Jackson later worked as an analyst at Independence Bank, was a Shatkin
Arbor runner at the Chicago Board of Trade and developed real estate
for East Lake Management in Chicago. He rejoined Milken at Knowledge
Universe in the late 1990s and currently engages in investments in the
wireless, real estate and distribution sectors.[4]
In 1998, Jackson, with his brother Yusef, became owner of a
Chicago-based Anheuser-Busch Cos. distributorship -- River North Sales
and Service, LLC.[20]
The deal was met with charges of skepticism and nepotism because
Jackson's father had previously organized a boycott of the brewery's
products in the early 1980s. The elder Jackson wanted the world's
largest brewery to do more business in the African-American community.[21]
In 2009, Jackson lead a group of minority investors in a $250 million bid to take over ION Media Networks, the country's largest chain of independent TV stations.[22]
Partnered with Cyrus Capital Partners, a New York investment firm,
Jackson argued that second-lien lenders are treated as second-class
citizens.[23]
He has taught finance and entrepreneurship at City Colleges of Chicago.[24]
[edit] References
- ^ MORGANTHAU, TOM; SYLVESTER MONROE (1983-11-14). "What Makes Jesse Run". Newsweek (Newsweek): pp. 50.
- ^ White, John (2005-12-25). "Jonathan Jackson Weds Marilyn Ann Richards In Elaborate Ceremony". Jet magazine (Johnson Publishing Co.): pp. 59.
- ^ "JESSE JACKSON'S 40 YEARS OF SERVICE". Jet magazine (Johnson Publishing Co.): pp. 38. 2006-11-20.
- ^ a b "Son of Jesse Jackson resigned...". Orlando Sentinel (Orlando Sentinel). 1989-06-01. http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1989-06-01/news/8906011535_1_drexel-jackson-junk. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ White, John (1995-12-25). [ebonyjet.com "Jonathan Jackson weds Marilyn Ann Richards in elaborate ceremony"]. Jet magazine (Johnson Publishing Co.). ebonyjet.com. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ Business Day, Business Day (2005-10-25). "South Africa; Jesse Jackson Gives Backing to SA's Aids Plans". Africa News.
- ^ "Reconnaissance Flights Will Continues". United Press International. 1984-01-10.
- ^ Davis, Lanny (2008-08-11). "Jesse Jackson's Post Racial Legacy". The Washington Times (The Washington Times.): pp. A04.
- ^ a b Pace, Gina (2005-08-29). "Venezuela Wants Pat Robertson May Ask U.S. To Extradite Him; Jesse Jackson Visiting Caracas". CBS News (CBS News). http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/08/28/world/main798843.shtml. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^
"Jonathan Jackson at a RainbowPUSH Coalition Press Conference when Jon
Burge is charged with perjury and obstruction in connection with a
torture investigation." 22 October 2008, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBzrDobvgrY - ^
"Darrell Cannon at Press Conference discussing Jon Burge, who was
charged with perjury and obstruction in connection with a torture
investigation." 22 October 2008, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xejwmAgnMPA&feature=related - ^ "All Illinois Exonerations - Center on Wrongful Convictions". http://www.law.northwestern.edu/wrongfulconvictions/exonerations/ilIndex.html. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ Douglas, Deborah (2008-11-14). "Memo to gov: Why no justice for innocent?". Chicago Sun-Times (Sun-Times Media): pp. 29. http://suntimes.com. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ "Johnnie Lee Savory, Center on Wrongful Convictions". law.northwestern.edu. http://www.law.northwestern.edu/wrongfulconvictions/newsandevents/savory.html. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ a b "Chicago Public Schools : CPS withdraws proposals for six schools". cps.edu. http://www.cps.edu/News/Press_releases/2009/Pages/02_24_2009_PR1.aspx. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ "Stark contrasts between 2008 and 2009 Board meetings on schools closings, turnarounds, phase outs, etc. - Substance News". substancenews.net. http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=649. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ "Parents Concerned By Dangerous Walk To New School" Feb. 10, 2010, 10:34 p.m. Central, CBS Channel 2, http://cbs2chicago.com/local/cps.school.englewood.2.1486621.html
- ^ http://www.nysun.com/opinion/ravitch-offers-passionate-defense-of-americas/86906/
- ^ Ravitch, Diane (2010-04-02). "A new agenda for school reform". Washington Post (Washington Post). http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/01/AR2010040101468.html. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^
Staff reports, Johnson Publishing Co., "Yusef Jackson's Ownership Group
Purchases Anheuser-Busch Chicago Distributorship". Jet magazine
1998-12-14 - ^ Flahery, Peter (2001-03-18). "Jesse came to do good and did well". The Baltimore Sun (The Baltimore Sun).
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deborah-douglas/turning-down-250-million_b_383323.html
- ^ "Cyrus Capital Extends Offer for ION Networks". TradingMarkets.com (TradingMarkets.com). 2009-11-16. http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2656890/. Retrieved 2010-04-10.
- ^ "Kennedy-King College one of the City Colleges of Chicago". kennedyking.ccc.edu. http://kennedyking.ccc.edu/. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
[edit] External links
- http://www.law.northwestern.edu/wrongfulconvictions/exonerations/ilIndex.html
- http://www.law.northwestern.edu/wrongfulconvictions/issues/deathpenalty/clemency/chronology.html
- http://www.ncat.edu/events/spring04/alumni/celebrate.pdf
- http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-13211107.html
"Professor" at City College ? City College does not bestow the title of "Professor" on its adjunct/lay faculty. Is this another example of resume inflating ?
another jackson in politics? i think not, when considering the track record of the others in politics.
he should be content with the selling of the legal poison to our community.
Thank you for your comments as usual.
Resume inflating by Jackson, No for Jackson did not call himself, nor did City Colleges Professor, the callers on WVON, his students, and then I picked up on it. Sorry, but because of you, I will also take note of how many times I have not corrected people who mistakenly call me Rev. Allen when I speak at church groups etc, because I am not an ordained minister, but I do consider grassroots work a "ministry," but responding to your point.
The Jackson's in politics. One Jackson's '88 Presidential campaign with 7 million votes and party planks adopted laid the foundation for a Black President, hundreds of new Black elected officials. I was out in Harvey and saw a Senior group who chose to dedicate a new Senior Housing complex in the name of Congressman Jackson, and I was at a 7th Ward meeting listening to groups commend Alderman Jackson for finding them funding for services that never happened in the years of Beavers. In court, Jon Burge used to give this "glare or stare" at Jonathan Jackson and the multiracial group he led in court fighting for Burge's conviction.
I guess no matter, one can pick the instances where you want to highlight ones career and ones lows, but in the end its a matter of whether voters was to re-elect Alderman and Congressman Jackson,or keep marching and attending Saturday forums and media broadcasts of Rev. Jackson, and over Black voters as a base will soon decide if they want to rally back taking the Mayors office with Jonathan versus the other two Blacks. Thanks again for yourcomments.
You mean there was a Sandi Jackson in Chicago sighting ? That is rare considering her children attend the Washington DC schools, and she spends most of her time there.
As for titles, Black folks seem to be hung up on them. "Gov" Cliff Kelly, "Professor" Jackson, "Rev." Allen. In our community the "Rev" title is often abused, like with "Rev" Jackson (who never completed seminary).
Jackson presidental campaign ? The same Jackson with baby mamma drama ? Same Jackson that went to Detroit to support "green" initiatives in a gas guzzling Escalade with pimped out rims (that was stolen from him).
And don't even start on Congressman Wire-Wearer, Informat for the FBI. I thought we had a no-snitching rule in our community ?
Thanks again for your comments, you took jabs at everything except Jonathan being the godson of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I guess I'll take a photo of Alderman Jackson the next time I see her for I had no idea that constituents were complaining about her commute back and forth from DC affected her constituent services and appearances at meetings.
Not sure how the Jackson affair impacted the public policy positions he lobbied for and won in the '88 campaign. And I don't know how the wiretape charge you threw at Congressman answer why the seniors in Harvey chose to have their new Senior building named after him.
Now is DM Lawyer your real name or a title you have chosen to use here. Notwithstanding the titles people add, I still used my full name first.
But again, thanks for your comments.
Yes, take a picture of her because the residents will most likely put it on a milk carton for missing persons.
Jackson's affair negates his credibility, along with the shakedowns, false Rev. titles, kicked out of college for plagerizing, wearing dr. kings blood on shirt for a week after running to the scene to smear the blood on it....too many shady things with this guy.
The senile old seniors are probably so out of it they are not aware of the seamy side of Congressman Wire and his attempt to buy the senate seat. He most likely had conferderates in the group nominate himself for the name of the building.
DM, thank you for your comments. Jackson's affair negates the 7 million votes and Party platforms he won that set the stage for Obama's victory is like saying all of Harold Washington's accomplishments are negated for he was once disbarred for taking clients money as a lawyer and never showing up in court.
And I am confused when constituent groups IN the 7th Ward send out notes of thanks for what they have achieved with Sandi Jackson that they did not under Beavers, so I'll just keep posting the pro messages as well as your opposition as well, but I do know that in just few months from now, the 7th Ward VOTERS will have the chance to vote on if they want Jackson back.
Here's something the black community needs to stop doing: looking for a candidate who LOOKS like them, rather than FEELS like them.
The old folks say that "everybody who is your color, ain't your kind." And those words still ring true today. Our communities have a plethora of "black" politicians who happen to be our color but not our kind.
I'm taking my journalist cap OFF for this one, because I feel that the truth needs to be told. We have elitism in neighborhoods like mine (Chatham) where our politicians blame the community problems on the influx of Sect. 8 residents, rather than their lack of political astuteness.
Young black males are stereotyped as uneducated by most of our black bourgeoisie. In fact, I just left one of our bourgeois friends of the family--a black woman--who was shocked that I had any education.
The key is for us to start being UNIFIED than POLITICIZED right now.
I'm seriously thinking about staying home next February 22. Seriously. To me and other young people, not only 911 is a joke but voting is too...
Zack, thank you for your comment.
Your comments are welcome for I remember when fighting for Black political empowerment could not happen unless it was in a Black face, but I always point out that when I was a Commissioner with the Chicago School Board nominated Commission when I took HEAVY criticism for supporting White women named Pat Daley (no Mayor relation) for a Board seat many felt was supposed to be for a Black, BUT I pointed out that this White woman earned my support because she voted for and supported more Black issues than many of the Blacks did. When people do not hear regular comments for balance, they do not respond, so thanks again for your comments and remember this too my friend, there are MORE black and Hispanic registered voters that HAVE NOT Voted but have almost DOUBLE the numbers that Mayor Daley has EVER been elected with his collective vote -- so why does not this silent majority step up and elect a candidate they think stands above all the rest.