A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power

by Abby Phillip

Overview

From CNN’s Abby Phillip, a triumphant new look at Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaigns of the 1980s and how they changed Black political power

“A joyful, rich, must-read biography of a politician whose flaws and gifts were in constant, intense competition.” —Jake Tapper

Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader, activist, raconteur, and political candidate, finally gets a book worthy of his stature courtesy of CNN anchor Abby Phillip.

Focusing on his presidential runs in 1984 and, especially, 1988, Phillip highlights how Jackson built an unlikely coalition that showed how Black political power could be consolidated. His experience working under Martin Luther King; his organizing the SLCC’s Operation Breadbasket in Chicago and beyond; and his roots in the deep South combined into two astonishingly impactful presidential campaigns. Appealing to the working people of urban enclaves like that of Chicago, young people on college campuses, and Black people across the South, he created the modern Democratic coalition—one that has been used by all major Democrats seeking national success from Obama to Biden to Harris.

With her expert reporting, natural storytelling skills, and a story so full of humanity, politics, and hope, Abby Phillip has written a rousing popular history that sheds new light on an American icon.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250806314
Publisher:	Flatiron Books
Publication date:	10/28/2025
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Abby Phillip anchors NewsNight with Abby Phillip on CNN. She’s also worked at The Washington Post, ABC News, and Politico. She has covered multiple presidents, campaign finance, lobbying and several presidential campaigns. Phillip was named to the Time 100 Next List in 2021 and she was a recipient of the National Urban League’s Women of Power award. She was raised in Maryland and is a graduate of Harvard University. She lives in New York City with her husband, daughter, and pup Booker T.

Editorial Reviews

“A Dream Deferred by Abby Phillip is a must read. As a student and mentee of Rev. Jesse Jackson since I was 12 years old, I can say this book explores his historic leadership that helped reshape American politics and the post–Dr. King civil rights movement in the late 20th century. Abby does it honestly exploring Rev. Jackson’s strengths and weaknesses, clearly saying why he is a historic leader that must be studied.” —Rev. Al Sharpton, American civil rights activist, and founder of the National Action Network.

“One of the most compelling and brilliant journalists of her generation, Abby Phillip has written a rich, complex, page-turning portrait of a man who was more influential in American politics than he's often given credit for. A Dream Deferred is a joyful, rich, must-read biography of a politician whose flaws and gifts were in constant, intense competition.” —Jake Tapper, bestselling author of Original Sin and CNN host

“Reverend Jackson's early-eighties presidential campaigns were a transcendent turning point for Black political power—he boldly showed that a broad coalition of folks from different social classes and diverse points of views could be built with integrity, charisma, energy, intelligence, and an openness to all kinds of people. In A Dream Deferred, Abby Phillip brings those aspects of his healing and ultimately heartbreaking campaigns to glorious life in a book that is engrossing, revelatory and urgent in understanding how we got here.” — Bakari Sellers, New York Times bestselling author of The Moment

“Jesse Jackson stood in the midst of history and made some too. This book is an important reflection on the evolution of black political power and Jesse Jackson’s role in it. This is a story that needs to be told.”—Andrew Young, civil rights leader and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N.

“In this incisive account of the trailblazing and often controversial civil rights leader and presidential candidate, CNN anchor Phillip brings a seasoned reporter’s sharp research and keen insight to the inner workings and significant accomplishments of this complicated but compelling figure. An admiring yet unflinching portrait convincingly weighing Jackson’s contributions against his contradictions.”—Kirkus Reviews

“[A] splendid effort to give this political chapter of Jackson’s life the recognition it rightfully deserves [. . .] Gracefully in control of the narrative [. . .] Phillip casts Jackson not as a sprinter coming up short in the final stretch, but as a relay racer passing the baton to the current political movements.”—The Washington Post

“CNN anchor Phillip debuts with a fresh and illuminating account of Jesse Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 presidential campaigns [. . .] a paradigm-shifting reassessment of a progressive firebrand’s legacy.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

From the Publisher