He was a protege and successor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a two-time presidential candidate and a longtime leader of the Civil Rights Movement. The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, who died Tuesday at age 84, was also an honored guest of Northeastern University, where he called for civil rights and social justice as a commencement and campus speaker.
“Rev. Jackson’s influence on college campuses in particular has helped to mobilize and inform younger activists, and I was among those who were inspired by his leadership and ability to be resilient, particularly after the loss of Dr. King,” said Ted Landsmark, distinguished professor of public policy and urban affairs at Northeastern and a longtime civil rights activist. “He was able to translate theories into direct action and was inspirational, particularly for emerging leaders who sought guidance on the tactics of achieving social change.”
