Tributes are pouring in for the man being remembered as a trailblazer and giant in the fight for equality.
Even though he was born in South Carolina and built much of his national political and civil rights brand from Chicago, Jesse Jackson was a regular presence in North Carolina starting all the way back in the 1960's.
Eyewitness News spoke with former state senator Floyd McKissick Jr., who first met Jackson in the early 60's as he worked alongside Floyd's father, civil rights leader Floyd McKissick Sr..
That became the start of a decades-long relationship built on strengthening the rights of disenfranchised and voiceless North Carolinians with Jackson making regular trips to our state.
McKissick said he'll remember Jackson as a consistent fighter for the rights of everyone, someone who never backed down from a challenge.
"He was passionate. He was principled. He had values to make sure that everybody in our society was equal. And that I will always remember. He never was afraid to speak out for those that did not have a voice. Those that were silent. Those who needed an advocate that you could pin on Jesse doing," said McKissick.
He said he first met Jackson when was just 11 or 12 years old and that it was apparent from those first meetings that he had a fire to bring about real change.