Host of Both Sides with Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson is moderator for Both Sides with Jesse Jackson, a fast- paced discussion program on CNN. Both Sides with Jesse Jackson focuses on one topic per show with emphasis on social and domestic issues. A panel of guests representing different sides of the issues drives the discussion. The program airs Sundays from 12:30 - 1 p.m. (ET).
Jacksons two presidential campaigns broke new ground in U.S. politics. His 1984 campaign won 3.5 million votes and registered over a million new voters. Many National Rainbow Coalition candidates at all levels of government won elections for the first time. His 1988 candidacy won 7 million votes, registered 2 million new voters and came in first or second in 46 out of 54 contests.
In 1990, Jackson was elected to the post of U.S. Senator for Washington, D.C., a position also known as Statehood Senator. The position was created to advocate statehood for Washington, D.C., and Jackson has traveled extensively around the country making the case for statehood. Jackson is also very active in the American labor movement. He has worked with unions to organize workers and has successfully mediated labor disputes.
In 1986, Jackson founded and became president of the National Rainbow Coalition. The Coalition is a national organization devoted to empowerment, education and mobilization. Jackson is also the author of two books: Keep Hope Alive (South End Press, 1989) and Straight from the Heart (Fortress Press, 1987). He attended University of Illinois and North Carolina A&T State University.