Meet Chicago’s Rising Stars: The Next Generation of Young Black Leaders Stepping Up After Reverend Jesse Jackson

CHICAGO — As the nation bids farewell to Reverend Jesse Jackson, ABC7 is spotlighting the ongoing efforts to safeguard civil rights and promote social justice both in Chicago and across the United States.

Who are the key players and organizations spearheading this crucial mission?

Among them is Father Dr. Charlie Dates, the senior pastor of Progressive Baptist and Salem Baptist churches. He first crossed paths with Rev. Jackson during his teenage years.

Reflecting on their initial meeting, Dates recalled being invited to introduce the renowned civil rights leader at a Rainbow PUSH event honoring another iconic figure, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“From that day forward, he provided many of us young individuals with the platform to address prominent audiences,” Dates shared. “Later, as I progressed in my pastoral career, he became a guiding force, urging us to extend the impact of our sermons and church activities beyond our immediate communities. He had no patience for keeping our efforts limited. To him, the gospel’s mission was vast.”

Dates said there are people and leaders all ready at work “to carry the mantle.”

“I think the moment we’re in is going to define who actually steps up. And yeah, I hope to be one,” he said. “But I also think that we may have a cadre, a team, like the Avengers, a multiplicity of leaders who step up with the same agenda to make things happen.”

Ashley Munson is a civic engagement strategist and political commentator.

“I think when you look at the next generation of leaders and what’s to come next, I think it’s a coalition of people,” Munson said. “I think there will be a group of people that will lead the way. I know we went from King, to Reverend Jesse and now it’s on us to pick up the torch, to do the work and work together to make sure the next generation, and still this generation, does the work and has the freedom to do what they need to do.”

Jaylin McClinton, is the civic engagement co-chair for the Metro Board of the Chicago Urban League.

He calls this moment a “punch in the gut in a lot of ways.”

“All of us have a responsibility to get to that beloved community that Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King talked about and that Reverend Jesse Jackson talked about as well,” McClinton said.

He explained that the Metro Board is working every day to promote Black Chicago.

Munson says she works to break down politics “and make it make sense for folks so that people can be civically engaged. Once young people understand the connection from policy to their livelihood, I think they can be not just be participants, but they can be leading the way in what we’re trying to do in the city.”