The Diaspora African Forum (DAF) Embassy has announced the passing of renowned American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, a founding board member of the Embassy and a towering figure in the global struggle for human rights and equality.
In a statement issued on February 17, 2026, Dr. Erieka Bennett, Ambassador of the DAF Embassy and a longtime friend of Reverend Jackson and his family, expressed profound sorrow at the news of his transition, reported to have occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m.
“His spirit and legacy have impacted the world and will live on forever,” Dr. Bennett said, extending heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those touched by his life’s work.
Reverend Jackson was widely respected as a tireless advocate for civil rights, economic empowerment, and social justice.
Over decades of activism, he championed marginalized communities and promoted unity among people of African descent worldwide.
His leadership extended beyond the United States, earning him recognition as a global voice for equality and human dignity.
He founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an international civil and human rights organization dedicated to advancing social and economic justice.
In 1984 and 1988, he made history with his campaigns for the U.S. presidency, becoming the first African American to mount viable bids for a major party’s presidential nomination—an effort that reshaped American politics and expanded representation at the highest levels of governance.
As a founding board member of the DAF Embassy, Reverend Jackson played a pivotal role in strengthening ties between Africa and the African Diaspora. His commitment to Pan-African unity and empowerment left a lasting imprint on the mission and vision of the organization.
To honor his memory, the DAF Embassy will open a Book of Condolence from Thursday, February 19 through February 26, 2026, at its premises at the W.E.B. Du Bois Center in Accra, Ghana. Reverend Jackson will also be commemorated on the historic Sankofa Wall at the Diaspora Embassy.
Claudette Perry, a founding member who helped establish the Embassy in 2007 alongside Reverend Jackson and a current executive with Black Press USA, is presently in Ghana and will formally commence the signing of the Book of Condolence.
The Diaspora African Forum Embassy, described as the first diplomatic mission of its kind serving the African Diaspora, reaffirmed its commitment to preserving Reverend Jackson’s legacy of justice, unity, and global African solidarity.
By Sampson Kumah Ifeetwube Elvis
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