Civil Rights Icon the Reverend Jesse Jackson turns 75! [PHOTOS]

Written by | Ray Cornelius 

I had the distinct pleasure last night of attending and covering the 75th Birthday Dinner and Celebration of Civil Rights icon the Reverend Jesse Jackson. The invitation only event took place at Atlanta’s Hyatt Regency Hotel during Jackson’s Rainbow Push Coalition “Annual Creating Opportunity Conference.”

The dinner and awards banquet was appropriately titled “Hope is Alive” and recognized a number of Jackson’s personal heroes and sheroes including Helen Smith Price, President of The Coca Cola Foundation; Nathaniel R. Goldston II; Tricia CK Hoffler Esq; and former Georgia State Senator Leroy Johnson.

The highlight of the evening was an impromptu conversation Reverend Jackson had with Senator Johnson and Ambassador Andrew Young about the role Atlanta played in getting the late Muhammad Ali his boxing license back in 1970.  Senator Johnson was very instrumental in getting the boxing champ a promotional match at Morehouse College after being banned from the sport because he refused induction into the Army during the Vietnam War.  Jackson said it bothered him that the 88-year-old Senator’s name wasn’t mentioned at all during Ali’s Homegoing service in June and he wanted to set the record straight about his contribution to the champ’s career.  According to Rev. Jackson, Ali would not have become the world renowned prized fighter we all grew to love and admire had it not been for Johnson’s singular action in getting his license reinstated. (Read Sen. Johnson’s full story here).

Musical entertainment for the night was provided by Atlanta’s own Lloyd and R&B singer Phillippia. Jazz songstress and rising actress Theresa Hightower also performed a jazzy version of “Happy Birthday.”

See more photos from the celebration below:

Rev. Jackson‘s signature phrases are “Keep Hope Alive” and “I Am Somebody”

Bishop Dr. Barbara King brought greetings and salutations

One of three cakes that were designed for Rev. Jackson‘s Birthday Celebration

Rev. Jackson was one of Dr. King‘s pupils during the Civil Rights Movement

Former Sen. Leroy Johnson recalling his role in getting Ali his boxing license back

Ambassador Young said that Rev. Jackson “stepped in the gap and took his place”

Rev. Jackson thanked Young and Johnson for being his personal heroes

Lloyd performing during Jackson’s 75th Birthday Celebration

Lloyd just received his high school diploma

Lloyd is releasing new music very soon

Singer-songwriter Dionne Farris was also in attendance

Phillippia performing during Rev. Jackson’s 75th Birthday Celebration

Phillippia appeared in Tyler Perry‘s “Madea’s Family Reunion”

Theresa Hightower and Phillippia 

Senator Johnson receiving his “Hope Alive Award”

Rev. Jackson giving Nathaniel R. Goldston II his “Hope Alive Award”

Theresa Hightower singing “Happy Birthday” to Rev. Jesse Jackson

Phillippia singing to Rev. Jesse Jackson 

Rev. Jesse Jackson cutting his 75th Birthday cake

Photo Credits: RayCornelius.com