02/17/2026
With heavy hearts, the Purity Baptist Church and Urban Center Family stands united with our Senior Pastor, the Reverend Dr. Robin A. Toogood II to extend our deepest condolences on the passing of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. A tireless civil rights leader, mentor, and man of faith, he devoted his life to the dignity and equal rights of every person.
As founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Reverend Jackson championed racial and economic justice, voting rights, and opportunities for Black Americans. His leadership helped to broaden the modern civil rights movement beyond traditional boundaries, uniting faith, policy, and activism in service of a more just society. His enduring message—“I Am Somebody”—reminded generations that every life has inherent worth and that inclusion and opportunity are essential to the common good.
We honor the collaboration between our second pastor, Dr. J. Terry Wingate, and Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.—contemporaries who worked together on many impactful initiatives for the advancement of our people. Their partnership stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when faith and action join forces for justice and dignity for all.
We give thanks for his extraordinary legacy of faith, leadership, and advocacy, and we hold his family, friends, and all who were blessed by his presence in our prayers. May his memory be a blessing, and may we continue to be inspired by his example to love our neighbors, work for peace, and strive for a more just world.
In this season of mourning, we find comfort in our faith, in the support of one another, and in the assurance that God’s love endures. We ask for God’s peace to surround Rev. Jackson’s loved ones and our nation as we navigate this profound loss.
