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February 23, 2026

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Love Wins: A New Chapter for Gospel Legend After 16 Years

In a joyful announcement that has inspired the gospel community worldwide, BET Award-winning gospel artist and pastor Marvin Sapp revealed his engagement to Dr. La’Boris Cole on February 23, 2026. The heartfelt proposal marks a beautiful new chapter for the beloved singer, 16 years after the passing of his late wife, MaLinda Prince Sapp.

A Family Affair: Children Orchestrate Surprise Proposal

The engagement celebration was a touching family moment, orchestrated by Sapp’s adult children who planned an elaborate surprise. What appeared to be a birthday party transformed into an unforgettable proposal when Sapp dropped to one knee, surrounded by both families, and presented Dr. Cole with a stunning diamond engagement ring.

“In 2026, God has given Marvin Sapp the desire of his heart!” the announcement proclaimed.

The moment was both intimate and celebratory, with family members and close friends witnessing the emotional milestone that represents not just a union of two hearts, but the blending of two purpose-driven lives committed to ministry and service.

From Friendship to Forever: A Decade-Long Journey

Sapp and Dr. Cole’s relationship is rooted in a deep friendship that spans more than 10 years. The couple intentionally kept their romantic courtship private, choosing to move forward only when they were confident about their relationship’s direction. This deliberate approach reflects the wisdom and maturity both bring to their union, having walked through significant life experiences that have shaped their faith and character.

Meet Dr. La’Boris Cole: A Visionary Leader in Ministry and Mental Health

Dr. La’Boris Cole is far more than just the future Mrs. Sapp—she is an accomplished clinician, ministry leader, and visionary in her own right. A Mississippi native, Dr. Cole holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Mississippi College and a doctoral degree in Clinical Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University.

Her professional accomplishments include:

• Founder and Executive Director of the Born 2 Danz Worship Arts Conference, an internationally recognized ministry and arts platform
• Founder and CEO of Cole Associates & Counselors of Texas, a multi-site behavioral health practice
• Respected therapist and visionary leader whose work bridges ministry, mental health, leadership, and the arts

Dr. Cole’s mission centers on helping people recognize their worth, heal completely, and live fully in their purpose—a calling that beautifully aligns with Sapp’s own ministry.

A Journey of Faith: Honoring the Past While Embracing the Future

Marvin Sapp has been remarkably transparent about his journey as a widower following the 2010 passing of his wife, MaLinda Prince Sapp, who died after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Together, they shared three children—Madisson, Mikaila, and Marvin Jr.

For 16 years, Sapp devoted himself to single parenthood, dedicating his energy to raising his children while balancing an extraordinary career in ministry and music. He has been open about his desire to love again, especially as his children reached adulthood, married, and began families of their own.

Today, Sapp’s two eldest children are married with children of their own, and friends say he only began dating seriously again once his family reached stability. This patience and prioritization of his children demonstrates the depth of character that has defined Sapp’s life and ministry.

A Legacy That Continues to Grow

Marvin Sapp remains one of gospel music’s most influential voices and respected spiritual leaders. The voice behind the crossover gospel anthem “Never Would Have Made It,” Sapp serves as senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Church in Fort Worth, Texas. His musical legacy includes:

• 16 studio albums with over a billion streams
• BET Awards recognition
• Induction into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame
• A 2022 TV One biopic inspired by the impact of “Never Would Have Made It”
• Radio show host and author

Beyond music, Sapp describes himself first and foremost as “a preacher gifted to sing” rather than a singer who preaches—a distinction that reveals where his heart truly lies.

Looking Ahead: A Season of Joy and Purpose

While no wedding date has been announced yet, the gospel community is already celebrating this beautiful union. The engagement represents more than a personal milestone—it’s a testament to the power of faith, patience, and God’s perfect timing.

For Sapp, who has ministered to millions about overcoming life’s challenges through faith, this season represents the fulfillment of a deeply personal prayer. His journey from grief to joy, from single parenthood to this new partnership, offers hope to countless others walking similar paths.

Dr. Cole and Bishop Sapp’s union brings together two powerful ministries—gospel music and worship arts, pastoral leadership and mental health counseling, preaching and therapeutic healing. Their combined influence promises to impact lives in profound ways, both within the Church and in the broader community.

Community Response

The announcement has generated an outpouring of love and congratulations from the gospel music community and beyond. Social media platforms have been flooded with well-wishes, with many celebrating not just the engagement, but the inspiring example of faith, patience, and God’s restoration.

Gospel Music Association, TV One, and numerous gospel radio stations have featured the announcement, with the broader faith community rejoicing in this testimony of hope.

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February 17, 2026

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Civil Rights Icon Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84, Leaving Indelible Mark on American History

The faith community and the nation are mourning the loss of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., one of America’s most influential civil rights leaders and Baptist ministers, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, February 17, 2026, at his home in Chicago, surrounded by his loving family. He was 84 years old.

“Our father was a servant leader—not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the Jackson family said in a statement released through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”

From Humble Beginnings to Divine Calling

Born Jesse Louis Burns on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, to 16-year-old Helen Burns and Noah Louis Robinson, a married neighbor, the future reverend’s early life was marked by the challenges of growing up in the segregated Jim Crow South. He was later adopted by Charles Henry Jackson, who married his mother, giving him the surname that would become synonymous with civil rights advocacy.

Despite the circumstances of his birth, Jackson emerged as a stellar student and athlete at segregated Sterling High School in Greenville, where he served as class president and quarterbacked the football team. His athletic prowess earned him a football scholarship to the University of Illinois in 1959, though he would transfer after one year to North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, where he found both his calling and his life partner.

At North Carolina A&T, Jackson became deeply involved in the civil rights movement, participating in sit-ins and demonstrations. It was there he met Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, a vibrant student who would become his wife. They married on New Year’s Eve 1962, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades and produce five children together.

Walking with Dr. King: A Ministry Forged in Fire

In 1964, Jackson enrolled at the Chicago Theological Seminary, but his studies would be interrupted by a divine appointment with history. In March 1965, answering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call, Jackson organized fellow students to travel to Selma, Alabama, to support the voting rights campaign. The young seminarian’s leadership impressed Dr. King, who offered him a position with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

By 1966, Dr. King had appointed Jackson to head the Chicago branch of Operation Breadbasket, the economic arm of the SCLC, which worked to create jobs for African Americans and support Black-owned businesses. Jackson was promoted to national director in 1967, using boycotts and direct action to pressure major corporations to diversify their workforces and invest in Black communities.

The bond between King and Jackson was tested but ultimately strengthened when King called Jackson to join him in Memphis in April 1968. Tragically, Jackson was on the balcony below Dr. King at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968, when the civil rights leader was assassinated. Two months later, in June 1968, Jackson was ordained as a Baptist minister, formally answering the call to ministry that had been stirring in his heart.

Building a Rainbow: Operation PUSH and Beyond

In December 1971, following disagreements with SCLC leadership, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity, later changed to Serve Humanity) in Chicago. Based on the city’s South Side, Operation PUSH became a powerful force for economic empowerment, using boycotts, lawsuits, and direct negotiations to pressure corporations to hire African Americans, invest in minority businesses, and support Black communities.

The reverend’s vision expanded in 1984 when, following his first presidential campaign, he launched the National Rainbow Coalition, advocating for voting rights, affirmative action, and social programs for all marginalized communities. In September 1996, Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition merged to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, with Jackson as its founder and president—a position he held for more than five decades until stepping down in July 2023 due to declining health.

Through Rainbow PUSH, Jackson championed causes ranging from workers’ rights to voter registration, from corporate diversity to education reform. His weekly radio broadcasts and the organization’s annual conventions became platforms for addressing America’s most pressing social justice issues.

“Keep Hope Alive”: Historic Presidential Campaigns

In November 1983, Rev. Jackson announced his candidacy for President of the United States, declaring, “I seek the presidency to serve the nation at a level where I can help restore a moral tone, a redemptive spirit, and a sensitivity to the poor and the dispossessed of this nation.” His 1984 campaign was groundbreaking, making him the first African American to mount a serious bid for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Despite limited resources—no television ads and minimal campaign funds—Jackson won five primaries and caucuses, capturing more than 3.5 million votes and approximately one in five votes cast in the Democratic primaries. At the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco, he delivered a memorable address comparing America to a quilt: “Many patches, many pieces, many colors, many sizes, all woven and held together by a common thread.”

His 1988 presidential campaign was even more successful. Jackson won seven primaries and four caucuses, garnering nearly 7 million votes and finishing second in the delegate count behind eventual nominee Michael Dukakis. At the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, he delivered what would become known as his “Keep Hope Alive” speech—a soaring address that concluded with the now-iconic refrain that became a rallying cry for hope and perseverance.

“Wherever you are tonight, you can make it,” Jackson proclaimed in that historic speech. “Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but the morning comes. Don’t you surrender. Suffering breeds character, character breeds faith. In the end faith will not disappoint. You must not surrender… Keep hope alive!”

A Family Legacy of Service

Rev. Jackson is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jacqueline; their five children—Santita Jackson (a singer and radio host), former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., current U.S. Representative Jonathan Luther Jackson (elected in 2022), businessman Yusef DuBois Jackson, and Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson Jr.; and his daughter Ashley Jackson (born in 1999). He also leaves behind numerous grandchildren who carry forward his legacy.

The Jackson family’s commitment to public service is evident in the political careers of both Jesse Jr., who represented Illinois in Congress before resigning in 2012, and Jonathan, who currently serves in Congress. The family’s constant campaigns and Jackson’s tireless activism often meant that Jacqueline took the lead in raising their children, though she remained a steadfast partner in his work for justice.

A Ministry of Reconciliation and Liberation

Throughout his decades of ministry, Rev. Jackson demonstrated an extraordinary ability to negotiate and mediate in crisis situations. His work extended beyond America’s borders as he successfully negotiated the release of hostages and political prisoners around the world. In 1984, he secured the release of Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman, an African American pilot held in Syria, and 48 Cuban and Cuban-American prisoners held in Cuba. In 1999, he negotiated with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic for the release of three U.S. soldiers held for more than a month.

President Bill Clinton awarded Rev. Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in August 2000, recognizing his lifelong commitment to justice and his diplomatic efforts on behalf of detained Americans. He received more than 40 honorary degrees and numerous awards, including the NAACP Spingarn Award, and was consistently listed among the nation’s most respected leaders.

Jackson’s ministry was characterized by his powerful oratory, his ability to quote Scripture alongside civil rights history, and his famous call-and-response style. His rallying cry “I am somebody!”—borrowed from his mentor, the Rev. Willie T. Barrow—became an anthem of Black pride and self-worth, particularly among young people.

Health Challenges and Unwavering Commitment

In November 2017, Rev. Jackson publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the same condition that had taken his father’s life. “After a battery of tests, my physicians identified the issue as Parkinson’s disease, a disease that bested my father,” Jackson said at the time. “Recognition of the effects of this disease on me has been painful, and I have been slow to grasp the gravity of it.”

In April 2025, it was revealed that Jackson had been misdiagnosed—he actually had progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects body movements, walking, balance, and eye movements. Despite this debilitating condition, which gradually robbed him of his voice and mobility, Jackson continued his activism.

In August 2021, both Rev. Jackson and his wife Jacqueline were hospitalized with COVID-19 complications. Though both survived, Jackson’s health continued to decline. By his final months, he required 24-hour care and had lost his ability to speak, communicating with family and visitors by squeezing their hands. In November 2025, he was hospitalized and remained under observation for PSP.

Despite these profound challenges, Jackson made public appearances as recently as the summer of 2024, when he was wheeled onto the stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and received a standing ovation. He also attended a Chicago City Council meeting to support a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, demonstrating his commitment to peace and justice even in his final year.

A Legacy That Changed America

The scope of Rev. Jackson’s impact on American life cannot be overstated. From leading Dr. King’s open housing campaign in Chicago in the 1960s to his presidential campaigns in the 1980s that registered millions of new voters, from his service as “Shadow Senator” for Washington, D.C. (1991-1997) to his continued activism in the Black Lives Matter era, Jackson was a constant voice for the marginalized.

His Rainbow Coalition brought together African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian Americans, poor whites, women, the disabled, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals in a broad movement for human rights and economic justice. The coalition’s work pressured Fortune 500 companies to diversify their workforces, invest in minority communities, and support civil rights initiatives.

Political leaders across the ideological spectrum have acknowledged Jackson’s influence. Politicians including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders have credited him with paving the way for their progressive political careers. His presidential campaigns demonstrated that a Black candidate could compete for the nation’s highest office, helping to make possible the election of President Barack Obama in 2008.

“From the balcony in Memphis, Tennessee, where Dr. King was killed, to the balcony of the White House in Washington, President Barack Obama waving over the Potomac River,” Jackson reflected, capturing the arc of progress he had witnessed and helped create.

Rev. Al Sharpton, Jackson’s protégé and longtime ally, paid tribute to his mentor: “He ended up fighting the people he helped make way for,” Sharpton said, acknowledging both Jackson’s role in opening doors for others and the complicated dynamics of his later years.

Celebration of Life Services

Public observances will be held in Chicago to honor Rev. Jackson’s extraordinary life and ministry. The Jackson family has announced that final arrangements for celebration of life services, including all public events, will be released by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and can be found at www.rainbowpush.org or JesseJacksonLegacy.com.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, now led by Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III (who succeeded Jackson in July 2023), will coordinate the memorial services befitting a civil rights icon who touched millions of lives across the globe.

“His Speeches Belong to the Ages”

As Rev. Jackson’s son, Jesse Jackson Jr., told the Associated Press in October 2025, watching his father lose his voice to progressive supranuclear palsy: “I get very emotional knowing that these speeches belong to the ages now.”

Indeed, Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr.’s legacy extends far beyond his powerful oratory. It lives in the millions who registered to vote because of his campaigns, in the corporations that diversified their workforces because of his pressure, in the hostages who returned home because of his negotiations, in the young people who believed “I am somebody” because of his encouragement, and in the countless individuals who kept hope alive because of his ministry.

Rev. Jackson was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Burns Jackson; his father, Noah Louis Robinson; and his stepfather, Charles Henry Jackson.

As the faith community reflects on his remarkable journey from a segregated Southern town to the national and international stage, we remember his own words: “It gets dark sometimes, but the morning comes. Don’t you surrender.”

For Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., the morning has indeed come—the eternal morning of glory with the God he served so faithfully. May his memory be a blessing, and may his example continue to inspire the ongoing struggle for justice, equality, and human dignity.

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“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.” – Matthew 25:23

For more information about memorial services and tributes, visit www.rainbowpush.org or JesseJacksonLegacy.com

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