Reverend Dr. Vernon P. Howard, Jr., president, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) (Photo/Samuel Jordon Images)

The Kansas City Globe e-Edition

Reverend Jesse Jackson was the seminal and most clarion mid to late 20th century post-civil rights prophetic voice in America. His combination of oratory, prophetic imagination, intellect and community mobilizing were matchless. 

I remember he came to East High School during my senior year in 1981 with his “put hope in your brains and not dope in your veins” mantra. He inspired a vanguard of u…