How Political Activist Reverend Jesse Jackson Made His Millions

Rainbow and PUSH founder Reverend Jesse Jackson has been a consistent fixture in politics. What's his net worth?

Robin Hill-Gray - Author
By

Nov. 17 2021, Published 10:59 a.m. ET

Reverend Jesse Jackson
Source: Getty Images

Reverend Jesse Jackson has been a consistent figure in the political realm for many years, particularly in civil rights and Black advancement. At 80 years old, Jackson has an extensive history in activism. With his role as a reverend, civil rights activist, and receiver of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Jackson has been very influential. What's his net worth?

Article continues below advertisement

Jesse Jackson

Reverend and Activist

Net worth: $9 Million

A brief history and timeline of Reverend Jesse Jackson

In 1964, Jackson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and then studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary on a scholarship. Although Jackson got his degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, he didn’t finish his Seminary scholarship after becoming heavily involved in civil rights. After becoming acquainted with Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackson became the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1967.

Article continues below advertisement
Reverend Jesse Jackson in March 2006
Source: Getty Images

In 1984, Jackson founded the PUSH program for inner-city kids followed by the National Rainbow Coalition. Jackson entered the Presidential race and by 1998 he took the lead in the popular vote for the Democratic presidential primary. Eventually, he lost to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. Jackson campaigned for the advancement of Black people, particularly by encouraging them to vote and support Black businesses.

Article continues below advertisement

While Jackson believes that he was noble in his pursuits, he has received criticism. The criticism includes claims that he's an “opportunist” and that his activism is founded on theatrics and no clear efforts. Jackson also came under fire for his affair with Karin L. Stanford, a consultant for the Rainbow/PUSH coalition’s Los Angeles bureau.

Reverend Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton
Source: Getty Images
Article continues below advertisement

The coalition stated that it gave Stanford a total of $35,000 and denied that it was to pay her off. Instead, the money was compensation for the consulting she provided to the Coalition in Los Angeles. Jackson also came under fire in 2008 for his comments about Barack Obama. He accused Obama of “talking down to Black people after his comments on absent Black fathers." After the uproar, Jackson apologized and clarified the point of his statement.

Jesse Jackson in recent years

Source: NBC News

Judge refuses to move Jesse Jackson from court

Article continues below advertisement

Jackson still makes himself and his comments available to his community. In 2019, he stated that Joe Biden is "always on the wrong side of history" in response to Bide's past claims on busing—although Jackson went on to state that he thinks Biden has changed in recent years. Jackson was also present during the trial against Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William Bryan for the murder of 25-year-old unarmed Ahmaud Arbery. Arbery was out jogging, got chased by the men, and was murdered.

Jackson has faced backlash for being present in the courtroom for the trial. Kevin Gough, Bryan's attorney, said, “We don’t want any more Black pastors coming in here.” Jackson continued to make his presence felt in the courtroom as he emotionally supported Ahmaud Arbery's mother Wanda Cooper-Jones.

Advertisement

Latest Net Worth News and Updates

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.