The crowd of more than 200 seemed enthusiastic during Jackson's lecture. Shouts of "amen" and "hallelujah" were accompanied by bursts of applause.
In addition to Jackson, the program featured gospel music by the church choir as well as singers from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.
City councillor Kenneth E. Reeves '72 presented Jackson with a key to the city of Cambridge.
Jackson quipped that he hoped the key would open the bank of economic opportunity.