Mahalia Jackson statue to be unveiled in Chatham

The fact that a South Side gospel singer inspired Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech may surprise some Chicagoans.

Mahalia Jackson, often called "The Queen of Gospel," frequently performed at King's speeches, and before he went onstage on August 28, 1963 she gave him some crucial words of encouragement: "Tell them about the dream, Martin." King then deviated from his written remarks. The result was his famous speech at the March on Washington.

Jackson, who died in 1972 at age 60, will now be honored with a memorial plaza being unveiled Friday in Chatham. The singer sold about 22 million records during an expansive 40-year career, and was a fierce supporter of the civil rights movement.

Read more:

Statue of 'Queen of Gospel' Mahalia Jackson being unveiled at memorial plaza in Chatham

Jackson died in 1972, but her legacy lives on today's music scene today. The longtime Chicago resident is said to have influenced Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech after she performed at the March on Washington.

chicago.suntimes.com • Share