Rev. Jesse Jackson paid a visit to Grand Rapids to speak at New Life Church of God in Christ today. Luckily for me, the pulpit faced west, and he didn’t start speaking until right before sunset.

Talking heads at podiums are normally a creative struggle, but not today.

Rev. Jesse Jackson shares a moment with Michael Reece, 16, outside New Life Church of God in Christ in Grand Rapids on Wednesday. (Joel Hawksley | The Grand Rapids Press)