Rev. Jesse Jackson will step down as president of Rainbow/PUSH, the Chicago-based civil rights organization he founded 27 years ago, reports the Chicago Crusader.
Jackson, 81, made the announcement last week ahead of the organization's annual convention, saying, "there will be a new president soon."
The civil rights icon will announce his replacement at the Rainbow/PUSH convention this weekend, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease eight years ago and ceded overseeing day-to-day operations last year.
Bishop Tavis Grant, acting national executive director of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, said Jackson's stepping down "is a natural progression to Reverend Jackson's work and legacy. Reverend Jackson has been a builder, an innovator and ahead of his time.
"He has earned the right to navigate the organization in accordance with his passion, dreams and his desires," Grant said. "We trust him."
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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