We’re proudly dedicating this October issue to an iconic leader, a crusader of justice, a beloved activist who has kept hope alive nationally, internationally, and locally for over sixty years: the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., on the occasion of his eighty-fourth birthday.

Although Reverend Jackson’s love of humanity and visions of freedom impacted the world, Chicago felt like he belonged to us. Jesse Jackson was born in Greenville, South Carolina 84 years ago, but his mission, his quest for equality for all, his leadership, his vision, and his activism came to fruition sixty years ago right here on Chicago’s South Side.

On Saturday mornings, Chicagoans, Black, white, Latino, young and old came to the PUSH Saturday Morning Meetings. Pride filled the air, as we stood to sing the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Young and old alike continued to stand, fists extended to the heavens, as we repeated after Reverend Jackson, “I Am Somebody.”

In this issue, our managing editor, Emma Young, recounts her personal experiences with Reverend Jackson. She tells of how she had a front row seat as he led economic boycotts that created Black jobs in previously white-only establishments, and how her role in the campaign of Chicago’s first Black Mayor, Harold Washington, led to a closer professional relationship with Reverend Jackson as he worked so furtively to bring in the voters and help secure the votes that caused the historical victory of Mayor Harold Washington. She reminisces about his historic run for President of the United States, and how she almost had a role in that adventure.

Salim Muwakkil, host of the “Salim Muwakkil Show” every Saturday on WVON- 1690 AM, contributes an impactful article that reminds us of just how important Reverend Jackson is and has been for many years to American politics and civic life, inspiring so many African Americans to seek vocations in politics, journalism, and civic activism. Many of us credit Reverend Jackson’s presidential campaign with paving the way for our first African American president, but Muwakkil also reminds us how that historic event inspired an “unprecedented alliance” with the Nation of Islam.

October is also Black Poetry Month, and a poem by noted Black educator, Wilma J. Turner is just on time for such a time as this. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month, and a good time to remind women everywhere to get a yearly mammogram after the age of forty. Black women are 38 – 42% more likely to die from breast cancer compared to White Women, according to the American Cancer Society and according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, among women under 50, the mortality disparity is even greater: young Black women may have death rates that are twice those of their white counterparts.