The civil rights leader died Tuesday at the age of 84.
Jackson had a rare neurodegenerative disease.
Jackson's family came together to talk about his loss, but also to speak publicly as a family about the impact of the passing of the civil rights icon.
Rev. Jesse Jackson's family speaks on death of civil rights icon
"I thank God for 60 years of being able to have both parents," Congressman Jonathan Jackson said. "I thank God that he is resting in the arms of a very benevolent and loving God. "
RELATED: Civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson dies in Chicago at age 84
They stood in front of their childhood home, as they remembered him.
"History is going to be far kinder to Jesse Jackson than the life that he lived," Jesse Jackson Jr. said. "Dad would have wanted us to have a great meeting to discuss our differences to find ways to move forward and move together."
Jesse Jackson Jr. remembers his father
"Rev. Jackson would say, 'it is my religion that makes me political, not my politics that makes me religious,'" his son Yusef Jackson said. "And we his family and the many others touched by him, inspired by him are left obligated to continue his work to make our nation a better place for all through the techniques and tools and policy goals and platforms he championed and left us to use. And now his soul is freed to be with our mighty ancestors, his remains left to be honored and remembered for his sacrifice."
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Jackson's wife of over 60 years, Jacqueline Jackson, will arrange the services.
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Jackson's children shared their father thought funeral services were for the living: an opportunity for people to gather to discuss the challenges ahead, and solutions.
His children say all are welcome to attend his services if they come out of respect.
The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Lying in State at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Location: 930 E. 50th St., Chicago, IL 60615
Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Lying in State at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27
The People's Celebration at House of Hope
Location: 752 E. 114th St., Chicago, IL 60628
Time: Doors open at 9 a.m.; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Homegoing Services at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Time: Doors open at 9 a.m.; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
"God gave my father some extra innings; his death did not come without warning to us. Yet, we are still painfully unprepared emotionally," Yusef Jackson said.
Since news of his passing, the nation is remembering Jesse Jackson as a history maker whose tireless commitment to justice for all knew no bounds.
The civil rights icon advocated not just for people of color, but all who were marginalized, notably negotiating the release of three U.S. soldiers from Yugoslavia.
Before leading the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he launched Operation Breadbasket in 1966 to address hunger in the basement of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Fuller Park to pressure companies to hire Black people. He took his charge from Dr. Martin Luther King.
Whether he was confronting racism or social injustice in the streets or boardrooms or creating political equity for people of color, Jesse Jackson was a force to reckoned with.
His children recalled the real dangers that faced those in the civil rights movement, saying they didn't expect him to live past 39.
"My prom night, he said, 'I'm so happy that I have this moment because Malcolm Medgar Martin didn't have this opportunity,'" Santita Jackson said. "May he rest in peace, but may his spirit live forever. And let us continue the work everyone; that is what he would want us to do."
And while most will remember Jesse Jackson as civil rights icon, his children remember him as just dad.
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"Rev. Jesse Jackson didn't start in this house. He would tell you that Jesse Jackson is his third name for the children that have to be adopted and stepfathers and lives that have to be transformed. We come from their lineage," Jonathan Jackson said.
"Our generation, Gen Zers, Gen Alpha, Millennials have the responsibility to remain in discourse with one another. Because, if we are not in proximity to one another, we can't solve the nation's crises at this time," Ashley Jackson said. "I think that I speak on behalf of dad that we are urgently called to continue discourse and to remain in conversation."
Jackson's daughter, Jackie, could not attend Wednesday, but is expected to be with family soon.
Jackson's children say they playfully called him "leadership" or "the reverend." But in addition to showing up for others, they say, he showed up for them.
As a city and a community continues to express their grief, many, including young people, say the best way to honor Jesse Jackson and his memory is to vote.
Young people remark on Jesse Jackson's influence
Chicago natives and students at Jackson's alma mater North Carolina A&T are not new Jackson's teachings.
Though they're only in their early 20s, his message is ingrained. And in some cases, they're already walking in the footsteps of his service.
"Activism, to me, means access to quality education, health care and economic opportunity and safety. It means ensuring that the systems that are put into place work for everyone, and not just some," said Pennington Burress, a Chicago Native and North Carolina A&T student.
Burress is a native South Sider. She says her great grandparents moved to Chicago from Arkansas in the 1950s. Faced with the struggle of creating a life in a new city, Burress credits Jackson's work in the late 60s and 70s with helping her family find its footing.
"Operation Breadbasket really stabilized my family to find home in Chicago, Illinois, and to create change generation by generation, as we began to multiply," Burress said.
That change over time, she says, has provided her with ever-increasing opportunity.
"That helped me shape the path that allowed me to be a current college student today and a young adult who serves as a leader within my community space," Burress said.
Burress' classmate Ernest Woods is also a Chicago native and current student at North Carolina A&T.
Woods shared a photo of the day he met Jackson, when he was just 9 years old. Now a young adult, Woods says it's very timely to re-visit Jackson's impact on economic equality.
"You know, a lot's being taken away that we're almost going back in time. We're basically erasing work that people like Jesse Jackson fought so hard for," Woods said.
Woods specifically pointed to the federal government's repeal of decades of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy. He says it's more important than ever to use his voice and amplify the voices of others.
"If you have the platform, use the platform now. If you have the following, doesn't matter how big or how small, you know, doesn't take a huge group of people to start a movement," Woods said.