Page 17 - RJLMS - Legacy Program Purple

on a documentary for Britain’s Channel 4 network, who Rainbow PUSH and the Family Legacy
were being held in Liberia. He traveled extensively in the
Middle East and Asia and was a special guest of President
Fernando Cardoso of Brazil to honor Zumbi, the leader uring Reverend Jackson’s visit to Memphis, he
of slave revolts that led to the end of slavery in Brazil. Dspent meaningful time at the home of Reverend
Samuel “Billy” Kyles and his wife, Gwen Kyles, where
On November 2, 1985, Reverend Jackson joined the a simple gathering by the pool became a meeting of
120,000-strong demonstration in London’s Trafalgar minds and purpose. In that moment of fellowship, ideas
Square to protest apartheid in South Africa. He declared flowed about how to strengthen Operation Breadbasket,
South Africa to be “a moral disgrace” and called for deepen its economic impact, and mobilize communities
divestment in the Apartheid nation and for the South around justice and opportunity. The Kyles family offered
African government to free Nelson Mandela. not only their home but their unwavering commitment
to the movement—creating a space where faith met
Rev. Jackson’s global appeal against Apartheid helped strategy, and vision met action. It was in moments like
ignite the Free South Africa Movement of that decade. these, marked by sincerity and shared conviction, that
In February 1990, Jackson was among the first to greet the seeds of enduring social change were planted and
Mandela as he emerged from Victor Verster prison. PUSH was born.

At home as abroad, Jackson was not afraid to call out From its earliest days, PUSH served as a platform for
what he considered his own country’s international sins. empowerment and education. It urged African Americans to build economic strength, to buy Black, to bank Black,
On February 16, 2003, Rev. Jackson gave the keynote and to believe in the power of unity. Reverend Jackson’s message was clear: self-help and social justice were not
address at a rally in London’s Hyde Park attended by over opposing ideals—they were partners in liberation.
1 million people protesting the expected invasion of Iraq
by the United States. In 1975, the organization launched PUSH-Excel, an educational initiative that encouraged young people to
pledge to academic discipline and personal excellence. “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it,
In August 2007, Equanomics—UK invited Rev. Jackson I can achieve it,” became a rallying cry in classrooms across America. Supported by the President Jimmy Carter
to help launch the new organization in a historic nine- Administration, PUSH-Excel transformed communities by instilling hope, responsibility, and discipline in the lives
city UK tour. It coincided with the 200th anniversary of thousands of students.
of the abolition of the Slave Trade Act in Britain. At the
conclusion of the tour, Rev. Jackson joined international By 1984, as the moral and political landscape shifted, Reverend Jackson broadened his vision from economic
dignitaries in the unveiling of the statue of Nelson inclusion to political empowerment. During his historic presidential campaign, he founded the National Rainbow
Mandela in London’s Parliament Square. Coalition, an alliance of Americans of every race, faith, and background—bound together by a shared belief in
justice and opportunity for all.
In 2009, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown bestowed
the “Global Diversity and Inclusion Award” on Rev.
Jackson at 10 Downing Street. In January 2008, Rev.
Jackson delivered the international keynote address on
the life and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi at an event
in New Delhi, India, marking the 50th anniversary of
Gandhi’s martyrdom. The global event celebrated the
strength of non-violent, peaceful protest that Gandhi
demonstrated in his uncompromising quest for peace
and justice.