N.C. A&T to Honor Rev. Jesse Jackson with Day of Service on April 23

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 14, 2026) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will honor the life and legacy of beloved alumnus the Rev. Jesse Jackson with a university-wide day of service.

Set for Thursday, April 23, during National Volunteer Month, the Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. ‘64 Day of Service, proclaimed by Chancellor James R. Martin II, calls on Aggie Nation to engage in meaningful acts of service, civic engagement and community uplift in tribute to the distinguished alumnus.

“Rev. Jesse Jackson was an incredible representation of service. He served this university, he served the country, he served the world, and we have an opportunity on that day to remember him but to also do what Aggies do, which is make the world better,” said Martin. “As a university, our job is to make our region, our state, and our nation better, but that begins with service.”

Students, faculty, staff and alumni will participate in a variety of service projects, from supporting the Aggie Source Food Pantry and Habitat for Humanity to gardening, a “plant-to-pantry” initiative and creating greeting cards for the United Way of Greater Greensboro’s Family Success Center. Alumni chapters across the country also will host projects in their own communities.

Other local volunteer sites, initiatives and organizations that will be supported include Cross the Street Ray Warren, Nourish the Block at the University Farm, Food Recovery Network, Plant to Pantry, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Greensboro Beautiful Campus Clean-Up and Ivy Pull with the Alpha Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

The day will begin with a kickoff program, “From Vision to Action: Honoring a Legacy Through Service,” from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at the Reflecting Pool across from the Student Center, 1403 John W. Mitchell Drive. The program will feature remarks from representatives across campus divisions and departments, highlighting different aspects of Jackson’s experience as a student at North Carolina A&T.

Following the program, volunteers will depart for designated service sites, with a march from the Reflecting Pool to the Alumni-Foundation Event Center, 200 N. Benbow Road.

Rooted in the university’s land-grant mission, the observance honors Jackson’s lifelong commitment to advancing human dignity, opportunity and justice, while inspiring a new generation of Aggies to lead with purpose, resilience and social responsibility.

In addition to serving in the community, Aggies can honor Rev. Jackson’s legacy by giving back to A&T in support of student success. Contributions made in conjunction with the Day of Service help provide critical resources and opportunities that empower the next generation of leaders.

Alumni, faculty and staff interested in volunteering can sign up for projects here.

Those who would like to support students through giving, click here.

To purchase commemorative T-shirts, click here. For baseball raglans, click here.