Yusef D. Jackson, the youngest son of Jesse Jackson and Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson, has been appointed President & CEO of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, succeeding his father, Jesse Jackson, who founded the Chicago-based organization in 1971. The elder Jackson died on Feb. 17.

“Today, I am honored to share that I have been appointed President and CEO of the National Rainbow PUSH Coalition and its related entities, following the unanimous approval of our Boards of Directors. I am deeply grateful for their confidence—and for my father’s enduring faith and trust in me,” Jackson said. 

Jackson, 51, has been the organization’s chief operating officer for the past two years. He said, “I have been working alongside my father, the leadership team, and many of you, to advance Rainbow PUSH’s founding mission: to protect, gain, and defend the civil and human rights of disenfranchised Americans. That mission is not behind us—it is right in front of us.” 

He replaced Rev. Frederick Douglas Haynes III, pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. He was named to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. when he first became ill. Rev. Haynes held the post for three months in July 2023 before quitting when more of the organization’s day-to-day operations were handed over to Yusef Jackson.

“We are living at a critical inflection point in our nation. Racism and hate are rising. Fear is being weaponized. Hard-fought civil and human rights—won over generations—are being intentionally challenged and rolled back,” he said

 “In the coming week, you will receive more information about our Annual Convention (June 10–13) in Chicago. There, we will lay out our vision for the future, recommit to our mission, and reflect on America’s 250th birthday—and the promises we have yet to fulfill. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Yusef Jackson was raised in Chicago along with five siblings: Jesse Jackson Jr., Santita Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, and Jacqueline Jackson.

Yusef Jackson began his professional career in corporate law at the law firm of Mayer, Brown, and Platt. 

In 1998, he entered the beverage distribution industry by acquiring the Chicago-based River North Sales & Service. 

Under his leadership, the company effectively diversified its portfolio of brands and products, and doubled both its sales and profits. After 15 years as CEO, Yusef led the company through a successful acquisition, creating the largest Anheuser-Busch distributorship in Illinois. 

In 2006, Yusef ventured into the media business, acquiring niche pop culture media company Radar Magazine. Over the next three years, he built a team of talented writers and successfully transitioned the magazine from print to an online publication. 

He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Chicago Bar Association, and the National Bar Association. He serves as a Director of the Board of the Children´s Choir of Chicago and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Athletics Foundation.