Throughout his career Rev. Jackson built large rainbow coalitions that were interracial, interfaith, and intergenerational. His campaigns for president united white farmers from Iowa with Arab Americans from Michigan and Black voters from South Carolina. In a country that too often disrespected Black people and folks on the margins, Rev. Jackson’s refrain “I am somebody!” affirmed our humanity.

He stood up for workers, often Black and Brown, whose work was dismissed and devalued. He was thus a strong champion of organized labor and stood by us at SEIU countless times, whether it was the strike line or engaging with employers for fairness for workers.

Rev. Jackson’s leadership will be sorely missed, especially at a time when the forces of greed and hate seek to tear us apart. We must honor Rev. Jackson’s legacy by standing strong for justice while continuing his work building rainbow coalitions.