Mayor Steven Reed Remembers Jesse Jackson and Frames Black History as American History

Mayor Steven Reed reflected on the national impact and personal memory of Reverend Jesse Jackson following Jackson’s death, and used the moment to discuss the broader role of Black History as American history.

Reed told host Daryl Hall he had known Jackson since childhood and described Jackson as "electric," noting Jackson’s activism starting in the mid‑1960s and his long role in political life. "He was a man of the people," Reed said, and credited Jackson with working across movements and organizations while remaining accessible to ordinary people.

Context: The mayor linked Jackson’s life to the wider arc of civil‑rights progress in Alabama and nationwide, citing local figures such as Fred Gray and others who shaped voting rights and legal change. Reed noted that for many Americans full democratic participation is relatively recent, observing that the 1960s marked a turning point in access to the franchise for Black citizens.

Reed framed the legacy as instructional: he urged younger leaders to emulate commitments to dignity of work and civic engagement and called on listeners to recognize Black History Month as part of American history rather than a separate subject.

The conversation moved on to local community topics and events, with Reed thanking residents for their support and asking listeners to honor living leaders while continuing civic work.