CHICAGO (WLS) — Vice President Kamala Harris will attend when Rainbow PUSH founder Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., officially named and introduced his successor Sunday.
Jackson will transition to emeritus status, a spokesperson for the organization said. He addressed Saturday's audience, saying he was not resigning or retiring, but rather making room for new leaders.
“We have work to do,” Jackson said. “We are not leaving. We are growing.”
Jackson, whose work takes him from Chicago and around the world, has headed civil rights organizations for more than fifty years.
“We had a chance to talk to him, listen to him and get these stories before he took them,” said Santita Jackson, the pastor's daughter.
US Representative Jonathan Jackson, the pastor's son, also spoke.
“He reminds me all the time: There is no word ‘retirement' in the Bible, so as long as God gives him strength, he will continue to fight,” she said.
On Sunday, Jackson is expected to appoint the Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes III of the Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas as his successor.
Challenges for Pdt. Dr. Freddie Haynes is bringing his personal touch in the same way, standing on the shoulders of this great iconic figure Rev. Jesse Jackson and building it,” said Rev. Ira Acree with Greater St. John Bible Church.
Hermene Hartman, founder and publisher of N'Digo, also weighed in.
“A big shoe to fill. I think he would be great to continue his work but there will be no one to replace Jesse Jackson,” said Hartman.
Apart from the arrival of Pastor Dr. Haynes on Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris will witness a formal transition in leadership at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.