Recognized as one of the nation's preeminent heritage and cultural museums, the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, stands as an unwavering bastion of enlightenment and transformation. Its core mission is to disseminate the vibrant culture and timeless lessons stemming from the American Civil Rights Movement while delving into how this remarkable epoch continues to shape the tapestry of equality and freedom on a global scale.
Inaugurated in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum finds its poignant home at the historic site of the former Lorraine Motel, forever etched into history as the location where the indomitable civil rights luminary, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., met a tragic end on April 4, 1968. Here, the echoes of the past resound through interactive exhibits, a treasure trove of historic collections, the resonating words of dynamic speakers, and a kaleidoscope of special events. This exceptional institution invites visitors to embark on an immersive journey, allowing them to walk through the annals of history, and gain deeper insights into the tumultuous yet profoundly inspiring period of change that characterized the Civil Rights Movement.
The saga of the National Civil Rights Museum traces its roots back to the pivotal year of 1968, when the nation's collective attention was riveted on the Lorraine Motel. Tragically, Dr. King's life was abruptly cut short, sending shockwaves through the Lorraine Motel, a modest African American-owned establishment nestled in the southern precincts of downtown Memphis. In the aftermath of this seismic event, the motel's proprietor, Mr. Walter Bailey, turned to the public, seeking their support to preserve the Lorraine as an indelible historic site. Tragically, on April 9, 1968, Mr. Bailey's wife, Loree, passed away, her collapse mirroring the nation's grief over Dr. King's assassination.
By the year 1982, the Lorraine Motel found itself on the precipice of foreclosure, casting a shadow of uncertainty over its future. A cadre of distinguished Memphians, spearheaded by visionaries such as D'Army Bailey, A.W. Willis Jr., and Charles “Chuck” Scruggs, stood resolutely against the looming specter of destruction through continued neglect and indifference. Thus, they gave birth to the Martin Luther King Memorial Foundation, a solemn pledge to safeguard the sanctity of the Lorraine Motel. Guided by Benjamin Lawless, a former Director of Exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution, the Foundation set forth on a path to secure the necessary funds for the establishment of what would become the nation's inaugural comprehensive exhibit chronicling the American Civil Rights Movement.
The Foundation, buoyed by initial contributions, secured the opportunity to purchase the Lorraine, albeit temporarily. Yet, the full contract price remained an elusive goal, one that could only be realized through the collective efforts of the community. Generous donations from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), along with a helping hand from Lucky Heart Cosmetics, a business situated across the street from the Lorraine Motel, revitalized community confidence. The remaining purchase price was eventually secured through a loan from Tri-State Bank, ushering in a transformative era during which the Foundation underwent a profound metamorphosis, adopting the name Lorraine Civil Rights Museum Foundation.
Endowed with unwavering support from the City of Memphis, Shelby County, and the State of Tennessee, the Museum gathered the necessary funds to breathe life into the hallowed halls of the Lorraine Motel. Painstakingly designed to foster a deeper comprehension of the history and wisdom encapsulated within the American Civil Rights Movement, the museum marked a momentous occasion with an official groundbreaking ceremony in 1987. Finally, on September 28, 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum was inaugurated, forever etching its significance into the annals of the nation's history.
In February 2001, after two years of planning, the Museum launched an $11 million expansion project called "Exploring the Legacy." This ambitious expansion offered a panoramic view of significant human rights movements and celebrated the monumental achievements of courageous individuals.
In April 2014, a $27.5 million renovation revitalized the historic Lorraine Motel and its exhibits. This comprehensive update included content enhancements, immersive interactive exhibitions, and a seamless interpretive experience, transcending the past to address contemporary global civil and human rights issues.
In 2018, the Museum played a pivotal role in commemorating the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s tragic assassination. "MLK50: Where Do We Go from Here?" united communities through a two-day symposium, honoring the Movement's legacy and relevance.
Amidst the profound transformations of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the George Floyd reckoning, the Museum remained resolute. Through virtual programming, it continued to engage with visitors, reopening in July 2020 and March 2021. In February 2022, with the support of AutoZone, the Museum launched its Corporate Equity Center to provide programs to address inequities and barriers to Black advancement in corporations and workplace settings. Our Become The Dream capital campaign is a multi-million dollar effort to renovate both the Legacy Building and the adjacent Founders Park which will provide an opportunity for the post-1968 story to be told and for us to inspire the next generation of catalysts who will lead positive social change.
THE FREEDOM AWARD
Since its inception in 1991, the Freedom Award has stood as a symbol of the relentless struggle for civil and human rights on a global scale. The Museum proudly celebrates the tireless contributions to freedom, equality, and justice made by distinguished recipients like Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, and James Farmer.
The esteemed list of Freedom Award recipients spans luminaries such as Nelson Mandela, The Dalai Lama, Oprah Winfrey, Stevie Wonder, Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Colin Powell, Dorothy Height, Diane Nash, Cicely Tyson, Danny Glover, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Bono, Eva Longoria, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Mikhail Gorbachev, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Marlo Thomas, Tom Brokaw, Geoffrey Canada, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, Bernard Lafeyette, Ruby Bridges-Hall, Ava DuVernay, Soledad O’Brien, Benjamin Crump, Bryan Stevenson, Swin Cash, Tawakkol Karman, Rev. Bernice A. King, Hugh Masekela, Joe Biden, Jesse Jackson, John Legend, Hafsat Abiola, Gloria Steinem, Michelle Obama, the Poor People's Campaign, Fredrick W. Smith, Taylor Branch, Isabel Wilkerson, Kerry Kennedy, Dr. Clayborne Carson, and Stacey Abrams.
THE FREEDOM AWARD STUDENT FORUM
The National Civil Rights Museum’s Student Forum, a celebration for and by young trailblazers, extends its virtual doors worldwide. This program kickstarts the Freedom Award festivities and provides students with an opportunity to draw inspiration from the purpose-driven lives of Freedom Award honorees.
Designed to inspire students to champion meaningful causes within their communities, the Freedom Award Student Forum features segments such as the presentation of the Keeper of the Dream Award, Student Spotlight, and engaging Q&A discussions with this year’s honorees. These elements combine to motivate young scholars to pursue excellence through their unwavering commitments to outstanding community service.
Welcome to the 33rd Freedom Awards!
On behalf of the National Civil Rights Museum, we are deeply honored to have you with us tonight. This is more than just a celebration—it's a call to action. We hope tonight sparks in you a renewed passion, inspiring you to reimagine how each of us can work together to create a world that is just, inclusive, and better for all.
Each year, we gather to honor individuals whose courage, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to civil and human rights have changed the course of history. These extraordinary changemakers have defied the odds, breaking barriers, and empowering countless lives along the way.
The champions we recognize tonight have faced immense trials, yet their dedication has never wavered. They continue to light the path for those still fighting for justice and equality. As we present the honorees of the 33rd Freedom Award, we hope their stories will inspire you to become an even greater force for good in your own communities.
Let tonight be a reminder that together, we can—and we must—build a brighter, freer future.
DR. RUSS
WIGGINTON PRESIDENT, NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
board of directors
Senator Raumesh Akbari
Pamela Alexander
Nelda Burroughs
Darrell T. Cobbins
Gregory Duckett
Nnaemeka “Meka” Egwuekwe
Rose Jackson Flenorl
Preston Frazer
Kathy Buckman Gibson
Dr. Aram Goudsouzian
Rabbi Micah Greenstein
Herbert Hilliard
Joseph R. “Pitt” Hyde III
museum staff
Dr. Russ Wigginton, Museum President
Ozakh Ahmed, Corporate & Foundation Relations Officer
Benjamin Austin, Digital Marketing Manager
Me’Auna Bailey, Group Services Coordinator
Zachary Baker, Tour Guide
DeVon Brown, Guest Services Representative
Laketa Brown, Guest Services Representative
Arlinda Cathey, Director, DEI Programs & Community Engagement
Mary Tickle, Marketing & Development Executive Assistant
Timberly Townsend, Lead Guest Services Representative
Sherryl Tucker, Senior Director of Operations
Jericka Webster, Social Media Strategist
Lucian Williams, Retail Stock Receiving Associate
Marchelle Williams, Tour Guide
THE HOST
HOUSE BAND
MESSENGER
University of Memphis Dance
AND SISTERS
Photo by Trey Clark BROTHERS
Order of Programme
PRE-SHOW
Musical Director GARRY GOIN and the Freedom Award House Band
OPENING TRIBUTE
Performance by UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DANCE, "BROTHERS AND SISTERS"
MC LYTE, Host
DR. RUSS WIGGINTON, President, National Civil Rights Museum
JAREN JACKSON JR., Memphis Grizzlies
SPECIAL TRIBUTES
Performance by Garry Goin and the Freedom Award House Band
RABBI JAMES A. WAX
Presented by Rabbi Micah Greenstein, Temple Isreal Memphis
MARGOT STERN STROM
Presented Dr. Steven Becton, Facing History & Ourselves
WILLIAM "BILL" LUCY
Presented by Rev. Dr. Earle J. Fisher, Abyssinian Baptist Church
REV. JAMES LAWSON
Presented by Emily Yellen
Commemoration, 60th Anniversary of 1964 Voting Rights Act
Performance by Garry Goin and the Freedom Award House Band
Presenting the Freedom Award Honorees
XERNONA CLAYTON, Freedom Award Honoree
Presented by Rita Cowans, FedEx
SHERRILYN IFILL, Freedom Award Honoree
Presented by Barbara Hyde, Hyde Family Foundation
SPIKE LEE, Freedom Award Honoree
Presented by Sarah Mensah, Jordan Brand
CLOSING TRIBUTE
Performance by Deborah Cox
Join us for dessert and coffee immediately after the Freedom Award Ceremony at the Halloran Centre.
PROJECT: National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award Program letter
DUE DATE: September 20, 2024
Dear friends of the National Civil Rights Museum,
FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world. And we are proud to support the museum’s vital work connecting us with our history and one another. The honorees of the 2024 Freedom Award have also dedicated their lives to uniting our nation by creating awareness, bridging divides, and promoting progress for all.
FedEx is honored to present civil rights activist Xerona Clayton with a 2024 Freedom Award for a lifetime of advocacy to deepen racial understanding and human relations. From serving as a confidante to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to breaking barriers in broadcast and desegregating Atlanta’s hospitals, she has trailblazed change by championing conversation and community.
We also acknowledge the outstanding contributions of 2024 Freedom Award recipients Spike Lee and Sherrilyn Ifill. From sparking a national dialogue about race and representation through groundbreaking films to combatting voter suppression and racial discrimination, both are leading the modern-day movement for human rights.
FedEx is also committed to advancing opportunity as we strive to uplift the communities in which we live and work, increase access to education and business ownership, and deliver a brighter future for all. On behalf of our more than 500,000 FedEx team members around the globe, congratulations to the 2024 Freedom Award honorees, and thank you for shaping a more just, hopeful, and connected world.
Sincerely,
Raj Subramaniam President and CEO FedEx Corporation
we are proud to salute 2024
XERNONA CLAYTON , a trailblazing leader in civil rights and broadcasting, is renowned as the founder and president of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc., and the creator of the prestigious Trumpet Awards. Graduating from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in education, she later pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago on a scholarship.
Clayton's illustrious career began in 1965 with her tenure at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), where she worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Her profound dedication to social justice and her pioneering spirit in broadcasting continue to inspire generations, ensuring her place in history as a tireless advocate for equality and understanding.
Clayton’s groundbreaking television career began in 1967, making her the first Black person in the South to host her own show, the "Xernona Clayton Show," on WAGA-TV. Joining Turner Broadcasting in 1988, she ascended to Corporate Vice President for Urban Affairs, becoming one of its highest-ranking female executives. Her commitment to civil rights was evident in her pivotal role in desegregating Atlanta hospitals and influencing the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan to renounce the organization.
Dedicated to promoting racial understanding, Clayton has received numerous accolades, including the Mickey Leland Award from NAMIC and the Distinguished Leadership Award from NAFEO. She has also been honored with street and park dedications in Atlanta and a statue erected in her honor, reflecting her monumental impact on society.
Clayton's devotion to education and international relations is further demonstrated through scholarships she champions, including the Xernona Clayton Scholarship and the school named in her honor in Ghana, West Africa. Her remarkable contributions have earned her honorary doctorates and awards from esteemed institutions and organizations, solidifying her legacy as a beacon of change and progress.
XERNONA CLAYTON
Dear friends of the National Civil Rights Museum,
It is our great honor at the Jordan Brand to join you today in supporting and celebrating the National Civil Rights Museum and the important work it drives in educating and building stronger, more inclusive communities.
It’s a mission that the Jordan Brand shares. Underlining all that we do is our commitment to our purpose, and to uplifting and supporting the communities that built us. We’re proud to stand alongside organizations driving systemic and impactful change like the National Civil Rights Museum.
Dear friends of the National Civil Rights Museum,
I’m also delighted to salute Spike Lee, a founding member of the Jordan Family, as one of this year’s Freedom Award recipients.
It is our great honor at the Jordan Brand to join you today in supporting and celebrating the National Civil Rights Museum and the important work it drives in educating and building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Spike’s contributions and accomplishments are legendary, and his groundbreaking work forever shaped not only the world of film and cinema, but the world at large. His story is forever tied to the Jordan Brand story, shaping the legacy of greatness that continues to inspire the world at large.
It’s a mission that the Jordan Brand shares. Underlining all that we do is our commitment to our purpose, and to uplifting and supporting the communities that built us. We’re proud to stand alongside organizations driving systemic and impactful change like the National Civil Rights Museum.
Spike, you continue to be a driving force for good, inspiring countless creatives, storytellers, and visionaries like yourself along the way. We are so proud of you
Enjoy the celebrations.
I’m also delighted to salute Spike Lee, a founding member of the Jordan Family, as one of this year’s Freedom Award recipients.
Sarah Mensah President, Jordan Brand
Spike’s contributions and accomplishments are legendary, and his groundbreaking work forever shaped not only the world of film and cinema, but the world at large. His story is forever tied to the Jordan Brand story, shaping the legacy of greatness that continues to inspire the world at large.
Spike, you continue to be a driving force for good, inspiring countless creatives, storytellers, and visionaries like yourself along the way. We are so proud of you.
Enjoy the celebrations.
Sarah Mensah President, Jordan Brand
we are proud to salute 2024
SPIKE LEE , born Shelton Jackson Lee on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker whose groundbreaking work has reshaped filmmaking and cinema. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Lee's artistic upbringing, with a jazz musician father and a schoolteacher mother, laid the foundation for his career.
After studying at Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, Lee honed his filmmaking skills at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He burst onto the scene with his controversial short film "The Answer" in 1980, followed by the award-winning "Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads" in 1983.
Lee's breakthrough came with his 1986 feature debut, "She's Gotta Have It," a comedy exploring sexual relationships on a shoestring budget of $175,000. The film's success propelled him to establish his production company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. He continued to push boundaries with films like "Do the Right Thing" (1989), sparking critical dialogue on racial tensions.
Over his thrity-year career, Lee has directed a diverse range of films, including "Malcolm X" (1992), "Inside Man" (2006), and "BlacKkKlansman" (2018), which earned him an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. His recent works, such as "Da 5 Bloods" and the documentary "NYC Epicenters 9/11> 2021 1/2," continue to captivate audiences with their bold storytelling.
Beyond filmmaking, Lee has made significant contributions to advertising, directing memorable campaigns for Nike alongside basketball legend Michael Jordan. He's also ventured into music videos and shorts, collaborating with artists like Michael Jackson and Prince.
In addition to his cinematic achievements, Lee is a dedicated educator, serving as a tenured professor at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and artistic director of the graduate film program. He's committed to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers through mentorship and internships.
Lee's legacy as a visionary filmmaker and cultural icon continues to inspire audiences worldwide, earning him accolades such as an Honorary Oscar for his lifelong dedication to the art of storytelling.
SPIKE LEE
SHERRILYN IFILL, Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has left an indelible mark on civil rights advocacy. Serving as the seventh President and Director-Counsel from 2013 to 2022, Ifill provided visionary leadership during pivotal moments in American history.
Beginning her career as a Fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union, Ifill joined LDF as an Assistant Counsel in 1988, where she litigated voting rights cases. She later taught civil procedure and constitutional law at the University of Maryland School of Law; pioneering law clinics focused on challenging legal barriers to ex-offender reentry.
A prolific scholar, Ifill's 2007 book, On the Courthouse Lawn: Confronting the Legacy of Lynching in the 21st Century, laid the foundation for contemporary discussions on lynching and reconciliation. Her tenure as Director-Counsel saw LDF's increased engagement in civil rights issues, particularly in combating voter suppression and racial discrimination.
Recognized for her contributions, Ifill has received numerous honors, including being named one of TIME Magazine's Women of the Year and one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. She is also a recipient of the American Bar Association's Spirit of Excellence Award and will receive the prestigious Brandeis Medal in 2022.
Ifill, a Vassar College and New York University School of Law alumna, holds honorary doctorates from several institutions and was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. She currently serves on the boards of the Learning Policy Institute, NYU Law School of Trustees, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Profiles in Courage Advisory Board. Her commitment to justice and equity continues to inspire generations.
SHERRILYN IFILL
Special Tributes
RABBI JAMES A. WAX ’s commitment to Judaism and social justice—a commitment that defined his life, paved the way for his pivotal role in the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike and his visionary leadership as an advocate for those with mental illness. A son of immigrants and only Jewish family of Herculaneum, MO, he was lured to the religious pulpit and, in particular, to Temple Israel in Memphis in 1946. In 1952, he joined the board of the Memphis Urban League, a civil rights organization dedicated to economic opportunity, equality, and social justice. Temple Israel is the oldest and largest Jewish congregation in Tennessee, founded in 1853, with only eight senior rabbis serving its 170-year history.
After Memphis sanitation workers Robert Walker and Echol Cole were killed in the back of a malfunctioning garbage truck, Rabbi Wax proposed that the Memphis Ministers’ Association issue a statement of principle entitled, “An Appeal to Conscience." As Memphis faced escalating tensions in March 1968, Rabbi Wax’s stance shifted dramatically following Dr. King’s assassination. This led him to spearhead a historic march to City Hall and confront the mayor, a decision that echoed nationally.
As President of the Memphis Ministers Association in 1968, Rabbi Wax led the march of hundreds of ministers to City Hall the day following Dr. Martin Luther King's death, and confronted Mayor Henry Loeb on national television. When Rabbi Wax passed away in 1989, the newspaper called him “the moral conscience of the community.”
MARGOT STERN STROM
In 1976, from a classroom in Brookline, Massachusetts, she co-founded Facing History & Ourselves, leading the organization as Executive Director for 38 years until her retirement in 2014.
When she was five years old the Sterns moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Growing up in the Jim Crow South, she was a daily witness to the stark injustices faced by her Black neighbors. Growing up Jewish in Memphis came with its own social limitations and intolerance. argot came from a family of justice-minded individuals, all of whom actively advocated for socially progressive reforms.
In 1964 Margot realized her dream of becoming a teacher, and in the spring of 1975 Margot and fellow teacher Bill Parsons attended a workshop on the Holocaust. This experience opened her eyes to the almost complete lack of Holocaust education in the United States. The first Facing History courses were taught in Brookline, MA in 1976.
Initially, Margot didn’t intend to create a global organization. At the time of Facing History’s founding there were very few nonprofits that addressed academic curriculum through a moral lens. Her skill as an educator, and the need that both teachers and students had for tools to grapple with the past and present traumas of this world naturally led to expansion of Facing History. She believed in the students and their capacity to think deeply about history, about the world we live in, and about how our choices shape society.
WILLIAM "BILL" LUCY
For over four decades, William (Bill) Lucy has been at the forefront of the labor movement in American and around the world. He was best known for creating the slogan “I Am A Man” on behalf of the 1300 striking Memphis sanitation workers in 1968. As International Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for nearly 40 years, Lucy helped the union grow from 200,000 to over 1.4 million members in 3,500 local unions nationwide. He also helped define the role of African Americans in the labor unions when he co-founded the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) in 1972. Along the way, he has stood alongside the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in civil rights struggles and Nelson Mandela in opposition to apartheid. Lucy co-founded the Free South Africa Movement, a grassroots campaign that sparked widespread opposition to apartheid across the United States.
From the Memphis sanitation strike to the struggle against South African apartheid, William “Bill” Lucy never stopped fighting for justice. Lucy, who died at the age of 90, served as AFSCME secretary-treasurer for 38 years. As the co-founder of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, he was one of the nation’s leading voices for racial equity in the labor movement. He was a great labor leader, but he was more than that – he was a global human rights icon.
REVEREND JAMES LAWSON
A supporter of the Gandhian philosophy of nonviolent protest, the Reverend James M. Lawson, Jr. was one of the Civil Rights Movement’s leading theoreticians and tacticians in the African American struggle for freedom and equality in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1957, one of Lawson’s professors introduced him to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who urged him to move south and aid in the Civil Rights Movement. Heeding King’s advice, Lawson moved to Nashville, Tennessee and enrolled at the Divinity School of Vanderbilt University, where he served as the southern director for FOR and began hosting nonviolence training workshops for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. There Lawson trained many of the future leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, including James Bevel, Diane Nash, John Lewis, Bernard Lafayette, and Marion Barry.
He was expelled from Vanderbilt after being arrested for nonviolent demonstrations. In 2021, the college would name part of its divinity school the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements at Vanderbilt University.
As pastor of Centenary Methodist Church in Memphis, Lawson invited Dr. King to Memphis to garner support for the 1968 Sanitation Workers Strike. It was solely his invitation that detoured SCLC to Memphis ahead of the Poor Peoples Campaign. Days after King’s assassination, with King’s widow Coretta Scott King, Lawson would help to organize the Silent March through downtown Memphis in honor of Dr. King.
In 1974, Lawson became pastor of Holman United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California, and continued his social activism on Palestinian and immigrant rights; gay and lesbian issues; the Iraq wars; and poverty. Rev. Lawson retired from Holman United Methodist Church in 1999 and live in Los Angeles until his passing on June 9, 2024.
Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515-4209
October 6, 2024
Dear Friends,
On behalf of the citizens of Tennessee's 9 th Congressional District, I welcome you to the prestigious National Civil Rights Museum's 33rd Freedom Award. This year's honorees have dedicated their lives to advancing civil and human rights and inspire all of us.
Spike Lee is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker whose groundbreaking work has reshaped filmmaking and cinema. He has inspired national conversations around race, representation and culture. Raised in Brooklyn, New York, Lee’s artistic upbringing, with a jazz musician father and a schoolteacher mother, laid the foundation for his career , including serving as a tenured professor committed to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers
Xernona Clayton, a trailblazing leader in civil rights and broadcasting for 60 years, worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the SCLC. She is renowned as the Founder and President of the Trumpet Awards Foundation, Inc. and the Creator of the prestigious Trumpet Awards After graduating from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in education, Clayton pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago on a scholarship.
Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has left an indelible mark on civil rights advocacy. Serving as the seventh President and Director -Counsel from 2013 to 2022, Ifill oversaw LDF’s increased engagement in civil rights issues, particularly in combatting voter suppression and racial discrimination .
I would also like to thank MC Lyte, a pioneering artist and a formidable actress in television and film, for hosting the Freedom Award, Grammy-nominated recording artist Deborah Cox, and everyone at the National Civil Rights Museum who played a role in making this event a resounding success.
Each of this year's honorees – just as the prior Freedom Award recipients – has made invaluable and indelible contributions to human rights and civil rights. Our nation and the world are more equitable and just because of their work, and we are privileged to welcome the honorees to Memphis.
As always, I remain, Most sincerely,
Steve Cohen Member of Congress
Dear Friends,
Dear Friends,
It is a great honor to continue our support of the National Civil Rights Museum in its celebration of three remarkable individuals during the 33rd Freedom Awards.
It is a great honor to continue our support of the National Civil Rights Museum in its celebration of three remarkable individuals during the 33rd Freedom Awards.
Dear Friends,
The Freedom Award holds meaningful significance in our community as it recognizes individuals who have shown a powerful commitment to civil rights. By celebrating those who have dedicated their lives to advancing equality, justice, and dignity, the Freedom Awards serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for our Memphis community and beyond.
It is a great honor to continue our support of the National Civil Rights Museum in its celebration of three remarkable individuals during the 33rd Freedom Awards.
The Freedom Award holds meaningful significance in our community as it recognizes individuals who have shown a powerful commitment to civil rights. By celebrating those who have dedicated their lives to advancing equality, justice, and dignity, the Freedom Awards serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for our Memphis community and beyond.
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the 2024 honorees: Xernona Clayton, Spike Lee, and Sherrilyn Ifill. Their profound work serves to educate, uplift, and inspire, and I am proud to stand in support of their ongoing commitment to making our world more unified and just.
On behalf of the entire city of Memphis, I extend our gratitude to the National Civil Rights Museum for their dedication to this important cause and our best wishes to everyone involved in this meaningful event.
The Freedom Award holds meaningful significance in our community as it recognizes individuals who have shown a powerful commitment to civil rights. By celebrating those who have dedicated their lives to advancing equality, justice, and dignity, the Freedom Awards serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for our Memphis community and beyond.
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the 2024 honorees: Xenon Clayton, Spike Lee, and Sherrilyn Ifill. Their profound work serves to educate, uplift, and inspire, and I am proud to stand in support of their ongoing commitment to making our world more unified and just.
Together, let us continue to shine a light of hope as we work to ensure that dignity, human rights, and civil rights are accessible to every individual.
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the 2024 honorees: Xernona Clayton, Spike Lee, and Sherrilyn Ifill. Their profound work serves to educate, uplift, and inspire, and I am proud to stand in support of their ongoing commitment to making our world more unified and just.
Sincerely,
On behalf of the entire city of Memphis, I extend our gratitude to the National Civil Rights Museum for their dedication to this important cause and our best wishes to everyone involved in this meaningful event.
On behalf of the entire city of Memphis, I extend our gratitude to the National Civil Rights Museum for their dedication to this important cause and our best wishes to everyone involved in this meaningful event.
Paul Young Mayor, City of Memphis
Together, let us continue to shine a light of hope as we work to ensure that dignity, human rights, and civil rights are accessible to every individual.
Together, let us continue to shine a light of hope as we work to ensure that dignity, human rights, and civil rights are accessible to every individual.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
City Hall, 125 N Main Street, Suite 700, Memphis TN 38103. 901-636-6000
Paul Young Mayor, City of Memphis
Paul Young Mayor, City of
Memphis
freedom award production
Dr. Russ Wigginton, Executive Producer
Faith Morris, Managing Producer/Director
FREEDOM AWARD COMMITTEES
Bill Andrews, Goodshow LLC, Director
Garry Goin, Musical Director
development committee
Connie Lewis Lensing, Co-Chair
Cathy D. Ross, Co-Chair
Nelda Burroughs
Darrell Cobbins
operations committee
Ozakh Ahmed
Bill Andrews
Isaac Fordjour
James Golden, Ph.D.
Cheryle Jackson
Kortney Guyton
Andrew Hartsock
Veda McNeil Ajamu
Faith Morris
operations committee
Benjamin Austin
Joy Brown
Arlinda Cathey
Vanessa Clark
Connie Dyson
Angela Faulkner
Henry Fields
Tiffany Ford
Ron Freel
Debra Gladney
DeMia Greene
special thanks
special thanks
Goodshow LLC
Grapevine Square
Halloran Center for Performing Arts
LEO Events
Memphis Area Transit Authority
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Police Department
Kasey Hunter
Gregory Jones
Korwin Jones
Ryan Jones
Tsitsi (Tee) Jones
Terrell Jones
Todd Jones
Dory Lerner
Mark Massongill
Caitlyn Maddox
Andrew Mathewes
Katlynn Morris
Debbie Nutt
Quentin Owens
D'Andrea Theodore-Powell
Marilyn Sims
LaToya Streeter
Joi Taylor
Mary Tickle
Sherryl Tucker
Jericka Webster
Nolan Production Group
Orpheum Theatre
Premiere Flowers LLC
Spotlight Productions
IN-KIND SPONSOR
FedEx Charitable Shipping
National Civil Rights Museum Volunteers
PRESENTING SPONSOR
JORDAN BRAND
SIGNATURE SPONSORS
FedEx
Hyde Family Foundation
PLATINUM
First Horizon Foundation
International Paper
Sylvamo
Valero
DIAMOND
AutoZone
Cummins, Inc.
HOST COMMITTEE
Dr. Esmond and Pam Arrindell
The Burroughs Family- First Choice Sales & Marketing Group
Kathy Buckman Gibson
Dr. Shirley Hilliard and Herbert H. Hilliard
William Michaelcheck
Cathy D. Ross
Billy and Robin Orgel
Robert Pew and Susan Taylor
GOLD
Bank of America
Baptist Memorial Health Care
Hyatt Hotels
Independent Bank
The Kresge Foundation
Memphis Area Transit Authority
Memphis Tourism
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
Nucor Steel
Sedgwick
Smith & Nephew
SILVER
City of Memphis
Deloitte
Flintco, LLC
FOX 13
Highland Capital Management, LLC
Horseshoe Tunica
Nolan Audio Video
PGA TOUR
Regional One Health
Self Tucker Architects
Shelby County Government
Southland Casino Hotel & Delaware North
Tennessee Valley Authority
Truist
INDIVIDUAL
Ross and Liz Glotzbach
Chick Hill
Cathy D. Ross
Josh and Amy Poag
Jon Moorehead
Dr.Mohan & Shaila Karkera
Sherica Hymes
Elliot and Kim Perry
Louis and Lisa Jehl
Vernon Stafford
Carter Malone Group (Deidre Malone)
Charles Ewing
Commerical Bank and Trust Company
Tom Barzizza
BRONZE
A-1 Electrical Contractors, Inc.
AARP
Blue Magic
Buckman
Burch, Porter and Johnson
Bulter Snow
Clay & Land Insurance, Inc.
Duncan Williams Asset Management
ER2
EY
Fifer & Associates, Inc
Forvis Mazars
Haizlip Studio
Johnson Controls
Memphis Grizzlies
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church
Memphis Light, Gas and Water
Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz
Pinnacle Financial Partners
ProTech Services Group, Inc
Stones River Group
T-Mobile
WMC Action News 5
WREG News Channel 3
NONPROFIT
The Achievement Foundation
ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Bluff City Medical Society
Christian Brothers University CodeCrew
Memphis Allumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, Inc.
Downtown Memphis Commission
FedTrust Federal Credit Union
Greater Memphis Chamber
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis
IHS TV International – Shiloh Distribution Center, Inc.
Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation
Memphis Allies
Memphis Metropolitan Land Bank Authority
Millington-Memphis Airport
New Direction Christian Church
New Memphis
Restore Corps
Temple Israel
Tennessee Human Rights Commission.
United Way of the Midsouth
The University of Memphis College of Education
The Works, Inc.
SIGNATURE SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
DIAMOND SPONSORS
D r. Esmond and Pam Arrindell
The Burroughs Family- First Choice Sales & Marketing Group
Kathy Buckman Gibson
Dr. Shirley Hilliard and Herbert H. Hilliard
William Michaelcheck
Billy and Robin Orgel
Cathy D. Ross
Robert Pew and Susan Taylor
GOLD SPONSORS
INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS
Ross and Liz Glotzbach
Chick Hill
Cathy D. Ross
Josh and Amy Poag
Jon Moorehead
Dr. Mohan and Shaila Karkera
Sherica Hymes
Elliot and Kim Perry
Louis and Lisa Jehl
Vernon Stafford
Carter Malone Group (Deidre Malone)
Charles Ewing
Commerical Bank and Trust Company
Tom Barzizza
NONPROFIT SPONSORS
To uplift each other is our greatest freedom.
Baptist is proud to support the National Civil Rights Museum and other advocates who share our commitment to building healthy communities.
Tonight, we salute the 33rd Freedom Award honorees: Spike Lee Sherrilyn Ifill Xernona Clayton
Our 2030 Goal: Protect and improve the lives of our employees, and support our communities.
Transforming lives with life-changing care.
From treating each patient with compassionate expertise to community programs that elevate the health of everyone we serve.
At Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, we believe life-changing transformations are possible with the right care. Whether we’re treating serious illnesses, promoting everyday wellness or launching a community-wide initiative, we’re dedicated to improving the health of our entire community. For over a century, we have been unwavering in our commitment to changing lives for the better.
Sedgwick believes that differences matter. They help us connect with each other, understand the needs of our customers, support the communities we serve, and perform at our best. When you partner with Sedgwick, whether as a client or a colleague, you’ll experience how we support and celebrate each other – as well as those who depend on us in their time of need. At Sedgwick, caring counts.
Sedgwick is proud to celebrate the National Civil Rights Museum’s Freedom Awards
Proud sponsor of the National Civil Rights Museum
CUMMINS IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM FREEDOM AWARD
Cummins’ value of integrity drives us to do what is right and act against injustice; and through the Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) initiative, the company is taking a leading role in undoing systemic discrimination against the Black community in the U.S.
Standing in proud support of all contributions to civil rights, justice, and equality.
We congratulate each of tonight’s honorees for their work to educate, uplift, and Inspire:
