National Rainbow Coalition

American organization

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July 16, 2026

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The National Rainbow Coalition was an American organization founded by Jesse Jackson in 1984. It aimed to promote equal rights for African Americans, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. The term "rainbow coalition" itself refers to a group with members from diverse racial, ethnic, political, or religious backgrounds.12

An earlier iteration of a similar concept was the Rainbow Coalition formed by Fred Hampton. This alliance brought together various groups, including the Puerto Rican Young Lords, Poor White Young Patriots, and the Blackstone Rangers, to assist low-income citizens by pooling their resources. In 1996, Jesse Jackson's National Rainbow Coalition merged with Operation PUSH to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.31

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Jesse Jackson
The PUSH era
…in 1984 he created the National Rainbow Coalition, which sought equal rights for African Americans, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These two organizations merged in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
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…in 1984 he created the National Rainbow Coalition, which sought equal rights for African Americans, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. These two organizations merged in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Read More