Operation PUSH

Operation PUSH, first known as Operation Breadbasket, was founded in 1965 by Jesse Jackson. In 1965, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference targeted Chicago with their beliefs. Jesse Jackson involved himself with the Chicago ministers in order to help advance employment opportunities for African Americans. During the foundations of the Civil Rights Movement, Operation Breadbasket was one of the leading civil rights organizations in Chicago. By 1971, Operation Breadbasket evolved into Operation PUSH for the reason that Jackson divided with SCLC. Every week, Jackson would hold stimulating meetings at the Hyde Park headquarters. The purpose was to thrill its supporters, being both black and white, so that their group would continue its success. Prior to Operation PUSH, blacks held minimal importance in the workplace in Chicago. The goal of Jackson was to have major companies hire more African Americans and for businesses to extend their connections with the black communities. The PUSH-Excel program was established in 1976 to help inner-city teenagers realize that they have a purpose, encouraging them to stay out of trouble and work hard. Since 1980, Operation PUSH’s accomplishments have been inconsistent. In the South Side headquarters, Reverend Willie Barrow administered activities, but the entire operation declined when Jackson reached for presidency. Jesse Jackson did however institute a greater program of Operation PUSH when combining it with his National Rainbow Coalition in the mid 1990s. This became the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. The Coalition reintroduced the economic value and commenced “The Wall Street Project” which encouraged primary financial firms and Fortune 500 companies to enhance hiring and inner-city investments. For about 40 years, Operation PUSH was one of the most significant Civil Rights organizations. Without the push and pressure Jesse Jackson and the members obtained, many inner-city and African Americans would have waited much longer for work and importance in cities.
RainbowPUSH Coalition Today:

Ralph, James. "Operation PUSH." Encyclopedia of Chicago. 2005. 28 May 2009 .