It Was More Than A Funeral: It Was Black History
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
When the firm I work for was notified a while ago to assist the Jackson family with the biggest tasks among all our clients, our CEO asked me to be an integral part of this new assignment. After we completed our work with Rainbow PUSH on their Back to School block party and, prior to that, the annual RPC Convention over the summer. They liked our professionalism and how we led these efforts. When we were asked to help organize the Celebration of Life services for Reverend Jesse Jackson while he was battling his illness, it brought up some emotions for me.
You see, I’m not new to Reverend Jackson’s story and journey; my dad would sometimes bring me to Operation PUSH Saturday morning forums, where we would travel from the Westside. If you didn’t get there by 9:30 am, there would be no empty seats in the auditorium. I would listen intently to the rallying cry of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson and Reverend Willie Barrow. It was my front row to Black power, Black pride, and the Black movement in Chicago. Little did I know that this would become the framework of my professional DNA.
Being asked to be included in the planning for such a great leader of our era was life-changing. It marked the end of an era for many of us who could remember when there was no seat at the table for Black people. This was not a typical homegoing celebration; it would require reinforcement. APS and Associates, a Black woman-owned company, reached out to other Black firms to bring their talents to the table: Merry Green (MGPG), Rise Strategy Group, Rosemark Productions, and Wagner Lane. They all brought their expertise in event production and public affairs. Companies such as Ignite Blue and Irving Street Inc. (NYC), and Pastors Steve and Kent Munsey were heavily involved in the planning. This was a major group effort to honor a great man.
I was honored to lead press and media relations in partnership with Rise Strategy Group. Many thought I was managing everything, but each of us had different responsibilities to bring this all together. It’s very ‘Chicago’ to identify with whom you know, can relate to, and most importantly--trust, so I understand.
Organizing such a large tribute involved many moving parts, and we didn't want to leave anyone out — it was a delicate balance. Working closely with the family was important because they shared their patriarch with the world, and now, after months of preparation, they had to share him in a different way. It was a teaching moment for me to sit down with the Jackson family, who shared so many wonderful and intimate stories about Reverend. Each of them is incredibly talented and will carry their dad's spirit with them at every step.
I love Mrs. Jacqueline Jackson’s rigor and her passion. It was a history lesson to sit down with her and learn firsthand what her husband of 64 years would have wanted. I hold them in my prayers and thoughts because anyone who can relate to loss or planning a funeral knows this is not easy. To the Rainbow PUSH family—current and past, thank you for your patience and assistance. I understand this was not easy, and through it all—you have lost your fearless leader—your hero.
From the beginning, Yusef Jackson gave us our marching orders. We were advised by Dr. Charles Jenkins and, later, by Rev. James Meeks, both of whom were amazing guides. They did a wonderful job officiating the services. APS and Associates is a young company, and with the exception of myself, weren’t around when another funeral by a Black leader impacted millions of people—the Honorable Mayor Harold Washington. There were many ‘teaching moments’ at the cultural, multi-generational, and religious levels that our team had to understand. They stepped up to the plate and did a great job. It is not easy to manage eight events within two weeks, working alongside seven companies, countless small business vendors, faith leaders, musicians, and city agencies, all of whom did an amazing job celebrating Reverend Jackson’s life. And let’s not forget the Secret Service, who at any given time can rearrange everything on a moment’s notice. Three former U.S. presidents, a former Vice President, former cabinet members, foreign leaders, congressional members, governors, mayors, and the list goes on were in one place—together.
Special thanks to the media, especially to members of the Black press, who covered everything with honor and grace. WVON 1690AM - The Talk of Chicago, thank you for being there from the beginning to the end. All of the radio, television stations, and news bureaus that gave us detailed coverage on-site and remotely.
Tryone Stoudemire, Sr. Vice President at Hyatt Hotels, came to the rescue with several contributions, and we will be forever grateful. Spencer Leak, Stacy Leak, and the entire Leak family were AWESOME. One of Chicago's oldest Black-owned funeral homes did a beautiful job from the pre-planning to laying Reverend Jackson to rest. We wouldn't have been able to do it without their guidance. The vendors — Sound Authority (Ernie Green), printers (Bob Burman, Breakers, and Quick Ink (Ramone Riley), along with Chicago AV, the LED screens provided by Tom Finch, and Charles Ford. The countless restaurants, chefs, catering companies, and small businesses that provided food contributions, including beverage donations from PepsiCo. The teams brought on board made all of this happen.
It takes a village to bring this altogether in the fashion Reverend Jackson's homegoing deserves. Many of us may not witness this level of outpouring in our lifetime,
and Chicago showed out and showed up.
These programs were not networking events or mixers—they were wonderful reunions. It was one last chance to say ‘thank you’ to a man who made incredible sacrifices, advocating for human and social rights, criminal justice reform, and the civility of mankind. Chicago celebrated Reverend Jesse L. Jackson—the world celebrated a legacy, and he will be sorely missed.
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