News

Stories captured by The Mississippi Link in 2013

By Ayesha K. Mustafaa Editor During the year 2013, The Mississippi Link carried articles of historic relevance to its readers. Standing out are these headlines: • Remembering the 1965 Lanier High School National Championship Basketball […]

News

How Mississippi and Emmett Till shaped the March on Washington

As many across the nation remain in shock and disbelief at the recent verdict in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, his case has become hauntingly reminiscent of another black teenager gunned down nearly 60 years ago, where his accusers also went forth free.

The murder of Emmett Till is just as relevant today as it was in 1955 when his death not only sparked an avalanche of public outrage and fear across the south. But it also gave courage and determination to the weary and downtrodden – now wiling to die for equal rights. […]

Education

Myrlie Evers honored with National Urban League Civil Rights Award

The Alcorn family congratulates civil rights icon Myrlie Evers for being honored with the National Urban League Civil Rights Award. Mrs. Evers, who serves as Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence at Alcorn State University, accepted the award at the 2013 National Urban League Conference held July 24-27, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 “We are extremely proud for Professor Myrlie Evers for adding another coveted award to her array of honors,” stated Alcorn President M. Christopher Brown II. “We are grateful for everything Mrs. Evers is doing for the nation and for her invaluable contribution as faculty at Alcorn.” […]

Education

Alcorn President, Myrlie Evers honored at 2013 HBCU Awards

Alcorn State University President M. Christopher Brown II continues to be recognized as a pioneer leader and Saturday, June 28, at the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy’s third annual HBCU Awards he captured the title of Male HBCU President of the Year.

Myrlie Evers-Williams, a distinguished scholar-in-residence at Alcorn, was honored as Female HBCU Faculty Member of the Year. She teaches social justice seminars, advises senior research papers, and interacts individually with students, encouraging them to succeed in their studies and passion for social justice and equality. […]

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

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.  […]

News

Obama calls Medgar Evers a ‘Warrior of justice’

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama visited with Myrlie Evers-Williams, a civil rights heroine and widow of Medgar Evers, and other members of the Evers family, to commemorate Medgar Evers’ life and contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.

President Obama said during the visit that Medgar Evers was a warrior for justice, and the tragedy of his death turned into a rallying cry for a movement.

Fifty years ago, on June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers was shot and killed in front of his home in Jackson, Mississippi. […]

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. […]