Rainbow PUSH Coalition Enters a New Chapter of Leadership at the 2026 Annual Convention

Trinity United Church of Christ Pastor, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III gives remarks during Rainbow PUSH Coalitions convention. This year’s convention themed ‘Fulfilling The American Promise’ was the first convention since the death of RPC Founder and Civil Rights Leader the “Rev. Jessie L. Jackson Senior. Photo Credit: Valerie Goodloe/Courtesy of Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Trinity United Church of Christ Pastor, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III gives remarks during Rainbow PUSH Coalitions convention. This year’s convention themed ‘Fulfilling The American Promise’ was the first convention since the death of RPC Founder and Civil Rights Leader the “Rev. Jessie L. Jackson Senior. Photo Credit: Valerie Goodloe/Courtesy of Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Rainbow PUSH Coalition Enters a New Chapter of Leadership at the 2026 Annual Convention

Yusef D. Jackson Leads First Convention Since Father's Passing, Calling on a New Generation to Carry Forward the Fight for "Fulfilling the American Promise"


(CHICAGO, IL) The Rainbow PUSH Coalition hosted its annual convention June 10th through 13th at its Chicago headquarters, drawing leaders, advocates, policymakers, and hundreds of community members for four days of dialogue, reflection, and action. This year's convention required no registration fee and was open to the public.

This year's theme, "Fulfilling the American Promise," anchored an urgent national conversation about the widening distance between America's founding ideals and the day-to-day realities facing millions of its people. The recent passing of Rainbow PUSH founder Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., served as both a tribute to the organization's enduring legacy and a forward-looking call to action. The gathering came at a defining moment for civil rights, democracy, and social justice in America.

This year's convention also carried a deeply personal weight for Rainbow PUSH CEO Yusef D. Jackson, marking the organization's first gathering since the passing of his father and the organization's founder, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

"We gathered, building on the proud leadership legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, but we are working in a new direction with a new generation — a renewed commitment that has guided this organization for the past five decades," said Yusef D. Jackson. "It's a difficult one because it's the first convention we've had since the passing of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, my father, our founder. I miss him deeply. There were so many people saying, 'I wish Jesse Jackson were here today because he would fix things.' But Rev. Jackson was no magician — he didn't just wake up and fix things. He woke up earlier than we did, he made phone calls earlier than we did, and he thought things through, putting his body on the line. That is the formula all of us should take with us."

The three-day event opened with a press conference featuring several community stakeholders, including Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th Ward), Stacy Davis-Gates (President, Chicago Teachers Union and Illinois Federation of Teachers), Rev. Torrey Barrett, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., Commissioner Tara Stamps, and State Rep. Kim du Buclet. That morning, Rainbow PUSH CEO Yusef D. Jackson welcomed young students to Youth Day, where they attended informative panels, took part in interactive workshops, and enjoyed an afternoon of food, fun, and entertainment.

Throughout the remaining program days, panels featured a wide range of speakers, including Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-1), Jim Zogby (Co-Founder, Arab American Institute), Reverend Ginger Gaines-Cirelli (Senior Pastor, Foundry United Methodist Church), CK Hoffler (CEO, CK Hoffler Firm & Rainbow PUSH Board Chair), Reverend Michael Eric Dyson (author, pastor, and professor), Lily Greenberg Call (former Biden administration political appointee, Progressive Democrats of America), Judge Greg Mathis, Barbara Arnwine (President and Founder, Transformative Justice Coalition), Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. (Principal Chief, Cherokee Nation), Ashley Thomas III (President, National Association of Real Estate Brokers), Keiana Barrett (CEO, Business Leadership Council), Jeremy Jordan (President & CEO, Property First), the Honorable Karen Freeman-Wilson (President & CEO, Chicago Urban League), Janai Nelson (President & Director-Counsel, Legal Defense Fund), Derrick Johnson (President & CEO, NAACP), and journalist and podcast host Angela Rye, among many others.

Convention highlights included fireside chats with Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Hillary Rodham Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State, both hosted by Yusef D. Jackson, CEO of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, as well as a special appearance by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.

An evening "Honoring the Legacy, Building the Future" dinner brought together emerging leaders, advocates, and changemakers for a conversation on the challenges facing the next generation — from economic opportunity and civic engagement to collective action and movement building. Featured guests included J. Ivy (Co-Chair, Black Music Collective & Grammy Award winner), Nia Batts (Managing Director & COO, Union Heritage), Representative Justin Jones (TN-52), actor Khalil Everage, and Ashley Munson, host of the Ashley Please Podcast.

This year, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. Freedom & Justice Award was presented to three accomplished faith leaders: Bishop-elect Michael Eddy, Bishop Byron Brazier, and Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright. This recognition came at a historic moment for the faith community following the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose moral leadership and steadfast commitment to civil rights continue to influence ministers and community leaders today.

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