Southwest Virginia Remembers Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Legacy

Southwest Virginia is reflecting on the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a defining voice of the civil rights era, who passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. Jackson’s impact on the region spanned decades, beginning with his first visit in January 2006 and continuing through multiple engagements focused on justice, equality, and unity.

Early Visits and the Spirit of Dr. King

Reverend Jackson first brought his message to Southwest Virginia in 2006, delivering the keynote address for Virginia Tech’s Martin Luther King Jr. Week celebration in Blacksburg. This visit was particularly significant as it marked the first year Virginia Tech canceled classes in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Jackson, who had marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., challenged the university to fully embrace the spirit of the day, questioning why an institution of enlightenment still needed to “come to grips with this day.”

“It was a high privilege in my life to work with Dr. King. To march with him,” Jackson reflected on his years alongside Dr. King.

Recognition and Remembrance in Danville

In September 2008, Jackson returned to Danville, revisiting the streets where he had protested in 1963. He was joined by a woman who had been present during Danville’s “Bloody Monday,” recalling the violence she endured while pregnant. This visit culminated in the dedication of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge, a moment of recognition and remembrance. Jackson emphasized Dr. King’s vision of “building bridges over troubled waters.”

“Healing and Rebuilding” Tour

Nearly a decade later, in September 2017, Jackson’s “Healing and Rebuilding” tour brought him back to Southwest Virginia, with stops in Roanoke and Lynchburg. The focus of this visit shifted to the future, emphasizing the power of young people at the ballot box and promoting unity across America. Jackson warned that “Ignorance and fear blinds us.”

A Consistent Message of Hope

Throughout his visits to Blacksburg, Danville, Roanoke, and Lynchburg, Jackson consistently delivered a message that defined his life’s work and inspired generations: “Keep hope alive.”

Jackson’s passing marks the conclude of an era, but his legacy of hope, justice, and unity will continue to resonate in Southwest Virginia and beyond.