Lessons Learned from One Encounter with Rev. Jesse Jackson

This column first ran over a year ago, but with the recent passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, I felt moved to share it once more. My brief encounter with him shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time, and it left me with three lessons that have guided every chapter of my career:

1.       Don’t judge first impressions.

2.       Always stand up for what you believe in.

3.       One person truly can make the world better — Rev. Jackson proved that.

I was 19, working at The University of Akron’s radio station, WZIP‑FM. And this part sounds unbelievable—but it’s true. It was at a rap radio station, of all places, that I fell in love with news and politics. Sure, the station welcomed artists like the Beastie Boys and Wu‑Tang Clan, and while everyone else buzzed around them, I was the kid with a mic chasing down stories for the small news department.

Because of that scrappy little newsroom, I found myself covering press conferences and landing interviews with people like Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, Cokie Roberts, Hillary Clinton, and even former President Bill Clinton. Those experiences lit a fire in me.

But one moment stands above them all: the day I covered Rev. Jesse Jackson.

I remember the energy—excited, nervous, and electrified all at once. The room was packed with reporters, including some from major networks. The press conference was scheduled for 2:00 p.m., but by 3:30 p.m., Rev. Jackson still hadn’t walked in.

Finally, he arrived. He greeted us, took one question, and then said, “I have to leave.”

My internal dialogue exploded. What? After an hour and a half of waiting? One question?

A wave of frustration swept across the room. Reporters sighed, shook their heads, packed their gear.

And then—I don’t know what came over me—I called out in a loud, steady voice:

“Rev. Jackson, sir. You stop right there. You talk about honor, and with all due respect, we’ve been waiting to ask you questions. We were promised 30 minutes of your time, and as a man who prides himself on keeping his word—you should.”

The room froze.

Rev. Jackson stopped mid‑step, turned around, and looked directly at me.

“You are right,” he said. “I apologize. My next meeting will have to wait. I am a man of my word. Let’s start with you, young lady. What’s your question?”

He stayed for more than an hour.

That year, I won several reporting awards—but the awards aren’t what stayed with me. The memory stayed with me. His response, his humility, and the lesson he taught me in that moment.

Here’s what that day cemented:

1.       Not all politicians are pompous. Many are carrying pressure most of us never see.

2.       It’s always okay to take a stand—no matter your age.

3.       Push yourself beyond what feels safe. Amazing things live on the other side of discomfort.

And if you’re wondering whether I remember the question I asked him… I honestly don’t. I think it was something related to racial tension. But the question wasn’t the point— the lessons were.

As Rev. Jackson once said, “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up.”

Thank you, Rev. Jackson. You helped me up that day—by reminding me my voice mattered. Rest in peace.

A Final Word for Our Local Dreamers

If you’re thinking about launching a new business or exploring a new opportunity in Defiance County—consider this your sign.

Step outside your comfort zone. Take the leap. Your voice, your idea, your dream—it matters.

And if you need a partner in the process, our economic development team is here for you.

Email me anytime at Erika@DefianceCountyED.com. We would love to help you write your own incredible story.

(Column Written by Erika Willitzer, Executive Director of Defiance County Economic Development)

For business expansion and/or workforce resources, email Erika@DefianceCountyED.com.