Playboy Interview: Jesse Jackson

November, 1969

In the 19 months since the murder of Martin Luther King, only one man has emerged as a likely heir to the slain leader's pre-eminent position in the civil rights movement: Jesse Louis Jackson, the 27-year-old economic director of King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The Reverend Jackson's first national exposure, in fact, came as a result of his closeness to Dr. King. He was talking to King on the porch of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when the fatal shot was fired and cradled the dy...

Like what you see? Upgrade your access to finish reading.

Articles from the Playboy archive are only available to Playboy Members. Purchase a Playboy Membership to instantly unlock this article, and enjoy additional benefits available only to our esteemed Members.

Access all member-only articles from the Playboy archive

Join member-only Playmate meetups and events

Priority status across Playboy's digital ecosystem

$25 credit to spend on iPlayboy

Unlock BTS content from Playboy photoshoots

15% discount on Playboy merch and apparel