Our Movement

Our mission is to protect, defend and gain civil rights.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition is a multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international membership organization fighting for social change — leveling the economic and educational playing fields and promoting peace and justice around the world.

1996

Rainbow PUSH formed

The merger of Operation PUSH (1971) and the National Rainbow Coalition (1984).

8

City offices

Chicago HQ plus Washington D.C., Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Oakland.

50K+

Members

Friends, family and colleagues across every specialty, age and industry.

Our History

Creating the Coalition

A social-justice movement that grew out of Dr. King's Operation Breadbasket — three organizations, one mission.

1966 · The Appointment

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. appoints Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. the first director of SCLC's Operation Breadbasket in Chicago.

1971 · Operation PUSH

People United to Serve Humanity — economic empowerment, PUSH Excel, a weekly broadcast and direct-action campaigns that opened corporate doors.

1984 → 1996 · Rainbow PUSH Coalition

The National Rainbow Coalition (1984) merges with Operation PUSH in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

1966 · The Appointment

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. appoints Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. the first director of SCLC's Operation Breadbasket in Chicago.

1971 · Operation PUSH

People United to Serve Humanity — economic empowerment, PUSH Excel, a weekly broadcast and direct-action campaigns that opened corporate doors.

1984 → 1996 · Rainbow PUSH Coalition

The National Rainbow Coalition (1984) merges with Operation PUSH in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

What We Do

How We Move the Mission

Four pillars connect community leadership, public policy, education, corporate accountability and grassroots action.

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1

Advocacy & Public Policy

Protecting civil rights, strengthening democracy and improving underserved communities at the highest legislative levels.

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1

Advocacy & Public Policy

Protecting civil rights, strengthening democracy and improving underserved communities at the highest legislative levels.

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2

Community Convenings

Town halls, listening tours and the Saturday Morning Forum — spaces where residents, leaders, advocates and institutions build solutions together.

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2

Community Convenings

Town halls, listening tours and the Saturday Morning Forum — spaces where residents, leaders, advocates and institutions build solutions together.

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3

Youth & Leadership Development

Education, mentorship, technology and career exposure through PUSH Excel and Campus Captains Connect.

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3

Youth & Leadership Development

Education, mentorship, technology and career exposure through PUSH Excel and Campus Captains Connect.

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4

Economic Accountability

Working with businesses and institutions to expand employment, contracting, capital and leadership opportunities.

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4

Economic Accountability

Working with businesses and institutions to expand employment, contracting, capital and leadership opportunities.

Founded

1971

Chicago, Illinois

Our Founder

From Breadbasket to a national coalition

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. began his activism as a student in 1960, desegregating the Greenville public library, and became a full-time organizer for SCLC in 1965. Dr. King appointed him to direct Operation Breadbasket in Chicago.

In December 1971 he founded Operation PUSH to expand educational, business and employment opportunities for the disadvantaged and people of color. After his 1984 presidential campaign he launched the National Rainbow Coalition.

In 1996 the two merged into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Today his son, Yusef D. Jackson, leads the Coalition into its next chapter — honoring the legacy, building the future.

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

Founder · 1941–2026

Get Involved

Join the movement. Keep hope alive.

Membership, partnership, volunteering or press — tell us how you want to get involved and we'll connect you with the right team.

Become a Member

Contact Us

Membership

Partnerships

Volunteer

Headquarters open weekdays

Saturday Morning Forum every week

support@rainbowpush.org

Headquarters

930 E. 50th Street, Chicago, IL 60615

Saturday Morning Forum

Every Saturday · live from HQ

Our Movement

Our mission is to protect, defend and gain civil rights.