Rainbow/PUSH

{{short description|American non-profit organization}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2016}}  {{Infobox organization | name = Rainbow/PUSH | logo = RainbowPUSHlogo.png | logo_size = 195 | caption = Jesse Jackson at a radio broadcast from Operation PUSH convention headquarters, July 1973. Photograph by John H. White. | formation = 1971 | type = Civil rights | headquarters = Chicago, Illinois | location = United States | num_members = | language = English | leader_title = Founder<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rainbowpush.org/office_and_staff|title=Executive Staff|publisher=Rainbow/PUSH|accessdate=July 25, 2024}}</ref> | leader_name = Jesse Jackson | leader_title2 = President and CEO | leader_name2 = Yusef Jackson | key_people = | num_staff = | budget = | website = {{URL|http://rainbowpush.org}} }}

'''Rainbow/PUSH''' is an American nonprofit organization formed as a merger of two nonprofit organizations founded by Jesse Jackson: '''Operation PUSH''' ('''People United to Save Humanity''') and the '''National Rainbow Coalition'''. The organizations pursue social justice, civil rights, and political activism.

In December 1971, Jackson resigned from Operation Breadbasket after clashing with Ralph Abernathy and founded Operation PUSH. In 1984, Jackson founded the National Rainbow Coalition. It merged with PUSH in 1996. The combined organization's national headquarters is on the South Side of Chicago and it has regional branches in Washington, D.C., New York City, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston, Atlanta, Silicon Valley, New Orleans, and Boston.

Operation PUSH raised public awareness to initiate corporate action and government sponsorship. The National Rainbow Coalition became a prominent political organization that raised public awareness of numerous political issues and consolidated a large voting bloc. The merged entity has undertaken numerous social initiatives.

== PUSH == [[File:20070906 Rainbow-PUSH Headquarters.JPG|thumb|The Rainbow/PUSH Headquarters in the Kenwood community area of Chicago]] Operation PUSH, an acronym for People United to Save (later Serve) Humanity, was an organization that advocated black self-help and achieved a broad audience for its liberal stances on social justice and civil rights.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-907911/National-Rainbow-Coalition|access-date=September 5, 2007|title=National Rainbow Coalition (American organization)|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica online|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.}}</ref>

Operation PUSH's origins can be traced to a factional split in Operation Breadbasket, an affiliate of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.<ref name=EOCPUSH>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/934.html|access-date=September 5, 2007|year=2005|publisher=Chicago Historical Society|encyclopedia=Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago|author=Ralph, James|title=Operation PUSH}}</ref> In 1966, Martin Luther King Jr., the head of the SCLC, appointed Jackson to head the Chicago chapter of Operation Breadbasket, which became a coalition of black ministers and entrepreneurs.<ref name=JPO />

After 1968, Jackson increasingly clashed with King's successor at SCLC, Ralph Abernathy. The break became complete in December 1971 when Abernathy suspended Jackson for "administrative improprieties and repeated acts of violation of organizational policy." Jackson resigned from Operation Breadbasket, called together his allies, and formed Operation PUSH.

From its inception, Jackson called its membership a "Rainbow Coalition".<ref name=JPO>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879017,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022210347/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879017,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2010|title=Jackson PUSHes On|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=January 3, 1972|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time}}</ref> This concept and phrase was originally created by the 1968 Chicago Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. Hampton used it to describe the multiethnic revolutionary federation he founded. Jackson was not part of Hampton's Rainbow Coalition, and had a difficult relationship with the Panthers. Some former members of Hampton's coalition resent Jackson for using the name, partly because Jackson's politics are reformist, and partly because Jackson copyrighted the name, preventing others from using it.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w48RL7fwRroC&q=hampton%2C+rainbow%2C+jesse+jackson&pg=PA203|title=From the Bullet to the Ballot: The Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party and Racial Coalition Politics in Chicago|last=Williams|first=Jakobi|date=2013|publisher=UNC Press Books|isbn=9780807838167|language=en}}</ref>

Although money was a problem at first, initial backing came from Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton, Gary, Indiana Mayor Richard Hatcher, Aretha Franklin, Jim Brown, and Ossie Davis.<ref name=JPO />

[[File:THE REV. JESSE JACKSON SPEAKS ON A RADIO BROADCAST FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF OPERATION PUSH AT ITS ANNUAL CONVENTION.... - NARA - 556253.jpg|thumb|Jesse Jackson speaks at 1973 PUSH National Convention]] The organizational meeting of PUSH was in the Chicago home of T.R.M. Howard, a prominent black doctor and community leader on the South Side. Before he moved to Chicago in 1956, Howard developed a national reputation as a Mississippi civil rights leader, surgeon, and entrepreneur. He served on PUSH's board of directors and chaired the finance committee.<ref>{{cite book | author1=Beito, David T. |author2=Beito, Linda Royster |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/T_R_M_Howard/fy_dEAAAQBAJ?hl=en | title=T.R.M. Howard: Doctor, Entrepreneur, Civil Rights Pioneer | edition=First | pages=209-210| location=Oakland | publisher=Institute | year=2018 | isbn=978-1-59813-312-7 }}</ref>

Through PUSH Jackson was able to continue pursuing the same economic objectives that Operation Breadbasket had. In addition, his organization expanded into social and political development for blacks in Chicago and nationwide. The 1970s saw various tactics to pursue the organization's objectives including direct action campaigns, weekly radio broadcasts,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://rainbowpush.org/broadcasts/| title=TV and radio broadcasts| work=RainbowPUSH Coalition website| access-date=January 29, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071027091013/http://www.rainbowpush.org/broadcasts/ |archive-date = October 27, 2007}}</ref> and awards, through which Jackson protected black homeowners, workers, and businesses, and honored prominent blacks in the US and abroad.

Jackson also started a campaign against legalizing abortion after ''Roe v. Wade'' was decided in 1973. PUSH was concerned with minority youth reading,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,911747,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220145316/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,911747,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2011|title=Needed: Strong Soldiers|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=May 22, 1976|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time}}</ref> and championed education through PUSH-Excel, a spin-off program that emphasized keeping inner-city youths in school while assisting them with job placement.<ref name=GCL>{{cite web|url=http://gale.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/jackson_j.htm|access-date=September 7, 2007|publisher=Gale Cengage Learning|title=Black History: Jesse Jackson}}</ref> The program, which persuaded inner-city youth to pledge in writing to study two hours per night and involved parental monitoring,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915331-10,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102114304/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915331-10,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2012|title=The American Underclass (page 10)|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=August 29, 1977|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time}}</ref> impressed Jimmy Carter, whose administration became a large sponsor after Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joseph Califano and Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall courted Jackson.<ref name=ME /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,967157-9,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102114315/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,967157-9,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 2, 2012|title=Taking Jesse Seriously (page 9)|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=April 11, 1988|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time|author=Shapiro, Walter}}</ref>

[[File:A SENIOR CITIZENS' MARCH TO PROTEST INFLATION, UNEMPLOYMENT AND HIGH TAXES STOPPED ALONG LAKE SHORE DRIVE IN CHICAGO... - NARA - 556256.jpg|thumb|Lake Shore Drive Senior Citizens March (July 1973)]] The organization was very successful at committing major corporations with large presences in the black community to adopt affirmative action programs in which they hired more black executives and supervisors and to buy from black suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors.<ref name=ME>{{cite web|url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557067/Jesse_Jackson.html|access-date=September 7, 2007|title=Jesse Jackson|publisher=Microsoft Corporation|work=Encarta|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028070133/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761557067/Jesse_Jackson.html|archive-date=October 28, 2009|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The organization employed prayer vigils to call attention to issues.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915201,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215120328/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,915201,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2008|title=A Fallout Between Friends|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=August 8, 1977|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time}}</ref> It opposed Ronald Reagan's workfare initiative requiring that welfare recipients work for part of their benefits.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,952924,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731063829/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,952924,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2008|title=Putting the Poor to Work|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=March 23, 1981|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time}}</ref>

The organization staged several boycotts, including early 1980s boycotts of Anheuser Busch and Coca-Cola as well as a 1986 boycott of CBS television affiliates.<ref name=S>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949888,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222002148/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949888,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2008|title=Sniping|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=December 19, 1983|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time|author=Thomas, Evan}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,961114,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408133651/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,961114,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2008|title=When Push Gives a Shove|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=April 14, 1986|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time|author=Kelly, James}}</ref> The boycotts became so well known that at one point David Duke supporters referred to a boycott of Nike, Inc. as oppression of whites by blacks.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971258,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215153241/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971258,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2008|title=David Duke's Addictive Politics|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=October 1, 1990|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time|author=Wills, Garry}}</ref> Nike spokesperson Michael Jordan disavowed the boycott.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971010,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215162417/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,971010,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2008|title=Who's Boycotting Whom?|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=August 27, 1990|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time|author=Gray, Paul}}</ref> The boycotts of Budweiser and Coke as well as one against Kentucky Fried Chicken were touted for having won minority job concessions from white businesses.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,954291-7,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020172027/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,954291-7,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2009|title=Pride and Prejudice (Page 7)|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=May 7, 1984|publisher=Time Inc.|magazine=Time|author=Thomas, Evan}}</ref>

== National Rainbow Coalition == [[File:Jesse Jackson, half-length portrait of Jackson seated at a table, July 1, 1983 edit.jpg|thumb|upright|Jesse Jackson was a presidential candidate in both 1984 and 1988.]] The National Rainbow Coalition (Rainbow Coalition for short) was a political organization that grew out of Jesse Jackson's 1984 presidential campaign. During the campaign, Jackson began speaking about a "Rainbow Coalition", an idea created by Fred Hampton, regarding the disadvantaged and welcomed voters from a broad spectrum of races and creeds.<ref name=ME /> The goals of the campaign were to demand social programs, voting rights, and affirmative action for all groups that had been neglected by Reaganomics.<ref name=GCL />

Jackson's campaign blamed President Ronald Reagan's policies for reduction of government domestic spending, causing new unemployment and encouraging economic investment outside of the inner cities, while they discouraged the rebuilding of urban industry. The industrial layoffs caused by these policies hit the Black and other minority populations particularly hard.<ref name=ME />

At the 1984 Democratic National Convention on July 18, 1984, in San Francisco, California, Jackson delivered an address entitled "The Rainbow Coalition". The speech called for Arab Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, youth, disabled veterans, small farmers, lesbians and gays to join with African Americans and Jewish Americans for political purpose. Whereas the purpose of PUSH had been to fight for economic and educational opportunities, the Rainbow Coalition was created to address political empowerment and public policy issues.<ref name=HB>{{cite web|url=http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=2076&cat=Magazine&more=/magazine/|title=Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Reaches Hispanics|access-date=September 7, 2007|date=November 2, 2000|publisher=Hispanic Business Inc.|work=HispanicBusiness.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015931/http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=2076&cat=Magazine&more=%2Fmagazine%2F|archive-date=September 30, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

After his unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination in 1984, Jackson attempted to build a broad base of support among groups that "were hurt by Reagan administration policies"—racial minorities, the poor, small farmers, working mothers, the unemployed, some labor union members, gays, and lesbians.<ref name=ME /> The National Rainbow Coalition's first convention took place on April 17 to 19, 1986, in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1986-04-19 |title=JACKSON RIPS REAGAN AT RAINBOW CONVENTION |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/04/19/jackson-rips-reagan-at-rainbow-convention/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=Orlando Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref>

== 1990s onward == Jackson moved from Chicago to Washington, D.C. to serve as shadow senator from 1991 to 1996. When he returned to Chicago in 1996 he merged his organizations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/jesse/chronology.html|title=The Pilgrimage of Jesse Jackson|access-date=September 7, 2007|publisher=WGBH educational foundation|work=pbs.org}}</ref> The merged entity advocates for African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, other minorities, and women. Its main economic goal is to have more minorities on the payrolls, in the boardrooms, and on the supplier lists of major corporations. The industries it most aggressively pursues are the financial sector on Wall Street, the telecommunications field and high-tech firms in Silicon Valley.<ref name=HB />

The Wall Street activities are organized under sub-organization "The Wall Street Project".<ref name=GCL /> The organization has been active in pursuit of increase minority representation in other industries, most notably the broadcast media, the entertainment industry, and the automobile industry. It has also sought increased representation by minority administrators in college and professional sports under the leadership of Jesse Jackson, Jr.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7DE133DF93AA15755C0A965958260|title= Sports people: pro basketball; Survey Shows Lack of Jobs for Blacks|access-date=May 1, 2008|date=June 29, 1993|work=The New York Times}}</ref> For Hispanic issues the merged entity works closely with the League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Council of La Raza.<ref name=HB />

In 1997, the organization's "Wall Street Project" set up office space at the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street in Manhattan. Donald Trump spoke at a press conference Rainbow/PUSH held on January 14, 1998.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-honors-jesse-jackson-as-force-of-nature/|title=Trump honors Jesse Jackson as "force of nature"|first=Melissa|last=Quinn|publisher=CBS News|date=February 17, 2026|accessdate=February 17, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/clip/public-affairs-event/user-clip-jesse-jackson-introducing-donald-trump/4687218|title=User Clip: Jesse Jackson introducing Donald Trump|publisher=C-SPAN|date=January 14, 1998|accessdate=February 17, 2026}}</ref>

In 1998 the organization attacked Freddie Mac for its lending and employment practices, which led to its pledge to earmark $1 billion in mortgage loans specifically for minorities, to donate more than $1 million directly to Rainbow/PUSH and to become a sponsor of Jackson's annual Wall Street Project. In 2000, the organization investigated the case of Raynard Johnson, who was found hanged by a belt from a tree in front of his home in Kokomo, Mississippi.<ref name=GCL /> Jackson called it a "lynching", although two autopsies concluded that the death was a suicide.<ref>[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/21/bp.00.html Burden of Proof: Hanging Death Mystery in Mississippi: Suicide or Murder?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080829171723/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0007/21/bp.00.html |date=August 29, 2008 }}, CNN transcript, July 21, 2000</ref>

In the early 2000s, Rainbow/PUSH worked with NASCAR to increase the number of minorities involved in auto racing, through direct financial support and projects to find talented African-American racing drivers.<ref name=ESPN>[http://static.espn.go.com/rpm/2002/0212/1330805.html NASCAR is trying to change its image], Rupen Fofaria, ESPN.com, February 12, 2002</ref> This initiative ended in 2003, after conservative groups criticized the racing sanctioning body for the partnership.<ref name=USAToday>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2003-07-28-jackson-support_x.htm NASCAR ends donations to Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH], Chris Jenkins, USA Today, July 28, 2003</ref> Among the smaller campaigns it has undertaken are the HIV/AIDS Initiative for funding for AIDS programs; the National Field Department support of "constructive agitation to bring about societal change"; and the Prison Outpost project, whose ultimate goal is "to eliminate the need for prisons".

Through his organization and its predecessors Jackson has advocated universal health care, a war on drugs, direct peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis, ending apartheid in South Africa, and advancing democracy in Haiti.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalleadersevents.com/event-speakers/jesse-jackson.cfm|access-date=September 7, 2007|publisher=Global Leaders|title=Jesse Jackson|archive-date=September 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927133223/http://www.globalleadersevents.com/event-speakers/jesse-jackson.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Former congressman Mel Reynolds, who served a prison sentence for sexual assault and bank fraud, was hired by Rainbow/PUSH as its resident scholar on prison reform after his release in 2001.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB424C00812E63B&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Reynolds finds work with S. Side church|publisher=Newsbank |work= Chicago Sun-Times |author= Dodge, Susan|date =January 29, 2001}}</ref> The organization is a member of several antiwar coalitions, including Win Without War, United for Peace and Justice, and After Downing Street.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, Jackson promised to raise money and collect donations for those affected. The organization set up drop-off locations in Chicago to assist with relief efforts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/5523149/|title=Chicago nonprofits, leaders offer relief to hurricane survivors in Bahamas|date=2019-09-08|website=ABC7 Chicago|language=en|access-date=2019-09-23}}</ref> [[File:President Bill Clinton meets with Reverend Jesse Jackson in the Oval Office in the White House (06) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Yusef Jackson, left, serves as president and CEO of Rainbow Push]] On July 16, 2023, Jackson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017 and was now using a wheelchair, stepped down as head of Rainbow/PUSH after leading the organization for more than five decades. He was succeeded by Dallas minister Frederick Haynes III.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/07/17/1188183475/after-more-than-five-decades-rev-jesse-jackson-steps-down-at-rainbow-push-coalit|title=After more than five decades, Rev. Jesse Jackson steps down at Rainbow-Push Coalition|publisher=NPR|date=2023-07-17|accessdate=2023-11-07}}</ref> In April 2024, Haynes resigned from Rainbow/PUSH after leading the organization for less than a year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/2024/04/17/what-to-know-about-dallas-rev-frederick-haynes-stepping-down-from-rainbow-push-coalition/|title=What to know about Dallas Rev. Frederick Haynes stepping down from Rainbow PUSH Coalition|first=Arcelia|last=Martin|publisher=Dallas Morning News|date=April 17, 2024|accessdate=July 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://religionnews.com/2024/04/17/frederick-d-haynes-resigns-abruptly-as-leader-of-rainbow-push-coalition/|title=Frederick D. Haynes resigns abruptly as leader of Rainbow PUSH Coalition|first=Adelle M.|last=Banks|publisher=Religion News Service|date=April 17, 2024|accessdate=July 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2024/04/22/rainbow-push-frederick-haynes-successor-jesse-jackson-finances-michael-eric-dyson|title=The hard truth about Rainbow PUSH and why the Rev. Frederick Haynes III quit after 3 months|first=Michael Eric|last=Dyson|publisher=Chicago Sun Times|date=April 22, 2024|accessdate=July 25, 2024}}</ref> Yusef Jackson took over leadership of the organization.

After Jesse Jackson died in February 2026, he lay in state at Rainbow/PUSH's Chicago headquarters from February 26 to 27.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2026/02/26/nx-s1-5725474/jesse-jackson-lies-in-repose|title=Jesse Jackson lies in repose|publisher=NPR|date=February 26, 2026|accessdate=February 28, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/jesse-jackson-memorial-services-chicago-649518382cd9f37a49fe393a6c9ec09b|title=Crowds of mourners line up for memorial services for Jesse Jackson at his Chicago organization|first=Sophia|last=Tareen|publisher=Associated Press|date=February 26, 2026|accessdate=February 26, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abc7chicago.com/live-updates/when-is-reverend-jesse-jacksons-funeral-celebration-life-begins-thursday-see-schedule-arrangements-live-updates/18650377/entry/18652952/|title=Rev. Jesse Jackson visitation begins at PUSH HQ : LIVE Updates|publisher=ABC 7 Chicago|date=February 26, 2026|accessdate=February 26, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://abc7chicago.com/post/jesse-jackson-death-reverends-family-speak-wednesday-chicago-civil-rights-icon/18615389/|title=Rev. Jesse Jackson's family speaks on death of civil rights icon|first=Evelyn|last=Holmes|publisher=WLS|date=February 18, 2026|accessdate=February 18, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/triad/politics/2026/02/18/jesse-jackson-celebration-of-life|title=Jesse Jackson celebration of life scheduled for next week|first=Susan|last=Carpenter|publisher=Spectrum News 1|date=February 18, 2026|accessdate=February 18, 2026}}</ref>

In April 2026, Jackson's son Yusef was named president and CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Cindy |date=2026-04-09 |title=Rainbow PUSH names new leader after death of founder Rev. Jesse Jackson |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/04/09/rainbow-push-yusef-jackson-rev-jesse |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=Chicago Sun-Times |language=en}}</ref>

== Involvement in the Duke Lacrosse team controversy == {{main|Duke lacrosse case}}

In 2006, Jesse Jackson promised the Rainbow/Push Coalition would pay Crystal Mangum's college tuition. Mangum made false rape allegations against members of Duke University's men's lacrosse team who had hired her as a stripper. The charges were later dropped due to lack of evidence. Jackson said that whatever the outcome of the trial, the tuition offer would still be good.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1091599/|title= Jesse Jackson Says Organization Will Pay Alleged Rape Victim's Tuition |access-date= January 7, 2007}}</ref>

== See also == * The Rainbow Agenda * ''Save the Children'' (film)

== Notes == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== References == * David T. Beito and Linda Royster Beito. ''T.R.M. Howard M.D.: A Mississippi Doctor in Chicago Civil Rights,'' ''A.M.E. Church Review'' (July–September 2001), 50–59.

== External links == * [http://www.rainbowpush.org/ Rainbow/Push Coalition] * [http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=31375] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114225854/http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=31375 |date=January 14, 2013 }} * [http://digital.lib.washington.edu/findingaids/view?docId=Guillen_Moore5799.xml Rosalinda Guillen and Joseph Moore Papers.] 1982–2011. 20.54 cubic feet (19 boxes). {{Good article}} *[https://g.co/arts/9oWJuLy6XLqg9aXL9''Jesse Jackson's Operation PUSH'']{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, a Google Arts & Culture story by the Chicago History Museum

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rainbow Push}} Category:Movements for civil rights Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States Category:African Americans' rights organizations Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago Category:1971 establishments in Illinois Category:Organizations established in 1971 Category:Jesse Jackson Category:Social justice organizations