Events

Alcorn honors Medgar Wiley Evers’ life and legacy, unveils memorial statue

June 13, 2013, will forever be written in history as a day when the life and legacy of American hero and Alcorn alum Medgar Wiley Evers ’52 was honored by dedicating a heroic size statue on the campus of his alma mater. Hundreds gathered for the memorial dedication ceremony to witness the historic event.

The official dedication of the Medgar Wiley Evers ’52 Memorial Statue, began with presenting of the colors by Mississippi Highway Patrol Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an invocation by Reverend Dr. Jerry Young, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Erin Pickens, anchor at WJTV, CBS, served as Mistress of Ceremony. […]

Events

Gun rally approved for Alcorn courthouse grounds

A group planning a rally in support of gun ownership rights has been granted permission to use the Alcorn County Courthouse grounds for the event.

The county Board of Supervisors approved the request this past week but stipulated that no firearms can be brought onto court square.

Organizers Bobby McDaniel and Jay Anthony briefed supervisors on plans for Firearm Freedom Day, which is set for July 6. […]

Events

Widow works to preserve Evers’ civil-rights legacy

Myrlie Evers-Williams acknowledges it would be easy to remain mired in bitterness and anger, 50 years after a sniper’s bullet made her a widow.

Instead, she’s determined to celebrate the legacy of her first husband, Medgar Evers – a civil rights figure often overshadowed by peers such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Events including a black-tie gala are being held this week to remember Evers, the first Mississippi field secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He was 37 when he was assassinated on June 12, 1963. […]

Events

Medgar Evers honored at Arlington 50 years after assassination

Slain NAACP field secretary, civil rights leader, World War II veteran, father and husband – Medgar Wiley Evers, was honored Wednesday at Arlington National Cemetery in a wreath-laying ceremony, organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP.) 

Next week will be the 50th anniversary of the assassin’s bullet that killed patriot and stalwart for civil rights – Medgar Evers, a son of Mississippi.  He was respectfully honored Wednesday in a beautiful and well-attended ceremony with distinguished speakers including former President Bill Clinton, Attorney General Eric Holder, NAACP Mississippi State Conference President Derrick Johnson, NAACP President Ben Jealous and NAACP Chairman Emeritus Myrlie Evers-Williams.  Roland Martin, of TV One and the Tom Joyner Morning Show, presided as Master of Ceremonies.  […]

Events

Bill Clinton, Eric Holder to join in Arlington tribute to Medgar Evers

Former president Bill Clinton, Attorney General Eric Holder and NAACP officials will join Myrlie Evers-Williams today for a remembrance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of slain civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers.

The event will feature remarks from Clinton, Holder, Evers’ widow, Evers-Williams, Roslyn Brock and Ben Jealous of the NAACP and other national officials.

The NAACP will host a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington, where Evers – a former field secretary of the organization – is buried. […]

Events

Mississippi offers free fishing weekend

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is offering a statewide free fishing weekend June 1-2.

It kicks off National Fishing and Boating Week, which celebrates the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing quality of life and conserving the country’s natural resources.

The Vicksburg Post reports the department, the Mississippi Wildlife Federation and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will also host the 11th annual Katfishin’ Kids Fishing Rodeo on June 1. […]

Events

New Kilmichael Clinic holds first heath fair this Saturday

Dr. Katrina Poe and the new Kilmichael Clinic in Montgomery County will hold their first health fair since they opened their doors in September 2012.

In conjunction with Kilmichael Hospital, the fair will be held on Saturday, May 18, in front of the hospital at 301 Lamar Avenue from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Eulandia Thompson, Office Manager for Kilmichael Clinic, said the health fair will feature several health-related vendors including Mid-Delta, Sta-Home and Legacy Hospice. […]

Entertainment

Clarksdale Caravan Music Fest this weekend

Following the Blues Music Awards, the 7th annual Clarksdale Caravan Music Fest will be held on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday May 12 in downtown Clarksdale.

Musicians will be performing in front of Cathead, 252 Delta Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and outside the Rock & Blues Museum, 113 E. 2nd Street,  from 1 to 6 p.m. 

Blues fans and tourists venture down the legendary “Blues Highway 61” to Clarksdale, the site of the historic “Blues Crossroads”, to experience the individual signature blues style of the participating musicians and bands.  […]

Entertainment

B.B. King Homecoming Festival set for July 3

The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola said the annual homecoming festival in honor of their namesake and the legendary bluesman, B.B. King, is scheduled for July 3.

King, a Mississippi native, will be performing on Saturday, April 27, at a casino in Tunica. […]

Education

Alcorn announces Medgar Wiley Evers memorial statue dedication

Medgar Wiley Evers had big dreams when he arrived on the campus of Alcorn A&M College in the summer of 1948.  It is likely that those dreams involved becoming an All-American football player, participating in campus activities, and ultimately earning a college degree.  It is hard to imagine that his dreams were enormous enough to predict the phenomenal impact his life and legacy would have on the United States and the world.

Yet, half a century after his untimely demise, thousands of Americans will journey to Mississippi to commemorate one of the foremost leaders in American civil rights history.  […]