Special to The Mississippi Link
LORMAN – A spectacular line-up of dignitaries, civil rights veterans and award winning entertainers will participate in the Medgar Wiley Evers Memorial dedication and the Medgar Evers Torch of Justice Awards Luncheon, Thursday June 13, at Alcorn State University in Lorman.
These national ceremonies will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of civil rights icon Medgar Wiley Evers, a beloved alumnus of Alcorn State.
The Medgar Evers Memorial dedication beginning at 10 a.m., will unveil the largest bronze statue of the civil rights leader in the world. The statue, designed and sculpted by nationally acclaimed sculptor Ed Dwight, will be the newest highlight on the Mississippi Civil Rights Trail attracting visitors from across America and globally to learn about Evers’ life and legacy.
The Medgar Evers Torch of Justice Awards Luncheon immediately follows the dedication ceremony at noon. The awards luncheon will feature the presentation of two awards to two people, who, like Medgar Evers, have distinguished themselves by carrying forward the torch of advocating and promoting justice and freedom. Ambassador Andrew Young will receive an inaugural Torch of Justice Award in the international category. The national award winner will be announced at the luncheon.
PBS and NPR’s Tavis Smiley, multiple NAACP Image Award winner and one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World”, will serve as the keynote speaker for the dedication ceremony and as the Master of Ceremony for the awards luncheon.
Gospel Hall of Fame member and multiple Grammy Award, Stellar Award and Dove Award winner Lady Tramaine Hawkins will sing at the memorial dedication. Take 6, seven-time Grammy and eight-time Dove Award winners celebrating their 25th anniversary, will perform during the awards luncheon. Billboard Jazz Award winner Lalah Hathaway, the daughter of music legend Donnie Hathaway, will also perform at the awards luncheon.
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