SPRING 2020
In this issue:
Covid-19 update • April 4 Commemoration • Unpacking Racism for action • census 2020
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
COVID-19 UPDATE With the news of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic escalating, the National Civil Rights Museum temporarily closed on March 17, until further notice. We recognize that this situation is extremely fluid and felt it necessary to halt operations to ensure the safety of our employees and guests. We will provide frequent updates on any changes in our operations status via our website. Thank you for understanding as we work together to ensure a safe environment for everyone associated with the Museum. Listen to National Civil Rights Museum President Terri Freeman’s message about the recent changes.
Dear Friends, This new decade has brought unparalleled challenges. Soon after more than 10,000 people celebrated MLK Day with us on January 20, the first signs of the Coronavirus started appearing in our country. Little did we know that we would be in the midst of a pandemic the likes of which we have not seen in our lifetimes. We reach out to you at this uncertain time hoping that you and your families are safe and well – maintaining social distancing if you must be out. And, to those of you who are ill, you are in our prayers. Following the CDC safety precautions, we decided it best to cancel or postpone planned educational programming and public events through the end of May. This includes the coming 52nd anniversary of Dr. King’s death on April 4. Our staff quickly mobilized to develop a series of online programming using our rich collection of videos and more. Please join us virtually as we all pay tribute to Dr. King and his legacy. Although our doors are temporarily closed, our work continues. As a non-profit institution, we depend on admissions and gift shop sales. We ask that you please consider a gift at this critical time - www.civilrightsmuseum.org/ give. Let’s continue to be there for one another.
National Civil Rights Museum President Freeman on COVID-19
We are in this together. In Service,
Click to view on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMJbPvrqoEc&feature=youtu.be
Terri Freeman
President, National Civil Rights Museum
We are in this
Together!
Calendar of Events ● April 4 ● May 16 ● October 8 ● June 12, 2021
Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment. | Virtual, 5:00pm CST Ruby Bridges Reading Festival | Postponed until Fall 2020 29th Annual Freedom Award Night at the Lorraine
April 4 Commemoration Moves Online Our annual commemoration service, Remembering MLK: The Man. The Movement. The Moment. will be a virtual event. Although our campus isn’t open, we hope that you will join us online to commemorate Dr. King’s life and legacy. “Remembering Dr. King’s life is important every year, but especially this year,” Terri Freeman, NCRM president, says. “We will use King’s teachings of social justice, nonviolence and unity as our foundation for this virtual program.” Since March 28, we have been sharing digital elements to highlight Dr. King’s final year, including his “Beyond Vietnam” and “Mountaintop” speeches. Other highlights of the commemoration will include artifacts from our special collections. The Commemoration event on April 4 will begin at 5 p.m. and feature community engagement activities to include a special rendition of “Precious Lord” and “Storytime for children” with our museum educator. The program culminates at 6:01 p.m., the time of the fatal shot fired 52 years ago. For more information, visit April4th.org.
UNPACKING RACISM FOR ACTION IN SESSION
Participants of our 7-month long series, Unpacking Racism for Action, have been engaging in deep dialogue and activity to delve into issues of implicit bias, structural and institutional racism. A primary issue is to co-create a supportive and accountable community for ongoing learning and action. How did we get here? What facets of racism may we be unconsciously witnessing or participating in every day? What does equity look like in our country? The final session of the 2019-2020 Unpacking Racism for Action cohort will be held virtually May 12. Click HERE for a conversation with moderator, Inca Mohamed. Interested in applying to become a cohort member for the fall? Click HERE to learn more or contact Veda Ajamu at vajamu@civilrightsmuseum.org
Participating in the Unpacking Racism cohort was a powerful eye-opening experience. The healthy tension, honest discussions, insights from Inca Mohamed and the other participants were enlightening. Roniece N Gilkey, Program Director/Historian
The 2019 Freedom Award lingers in our memory, but if you missed it you may experience it HERE https://freedomaward.civilrightsmuseum.org/ Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 8, 2020 for the 29th Annual Freedom Award. We look forward to honoring our heroes, activists and changemakers for their phenomenal work for good.
A Special Thank You to Our NCRM Members To our loyal museum members – we thank you for your steadfast support. With your purchase or renewal we extend a special courtesy, by activating your membership after the COVID-19 Crisis and our museum doors officially reopen. Fo r those members who purchased from January until now we are offering you a courtesy extension of 3 months. Thank you again for your continued commitment. For questions about your membership or to become a member, please contact Jeanette O’Bryant, Development Officer at jobryant@civilrightsmuseum.org
Unpacking Racism for Action - accelerated for me the sense of urgency for our nation’s long history of historical and institutional racism to be understood and adequately addressed. Kate Spurlock, Deputy Director, The Urban Child Institute
As a person of color I thought I knew everything I needed to know about racism. This series of discussions helped me to be more engaged at work and in personal situations when these racist undertones present themselves. Gernarda Wright, ALSAC – Genarda Wright, Director, ALSAC
NCRM Receives National Museum Honor
KEEPING COUNT WITH CENSUS 2020
SPECIAL TRIBUTES October 1, 2019 - January 31, 2020
In Honor of Spence L. Wilson - Carmen W. Anderson In Memory of Frank D. Robinson - Anonymous In Memory of John E. Balfour - Michael Balfour In Memory of Trina L. Freeman- Michael Balfour In Memory of and In Honor of Wallace Lampkins & Leo Nell - Sally S. Beaudette In Memory of and In Honor of William J. Williams - Judith W. Black Moore In Memory of & In Honor of Herbert Johnson - Bodega Bar & Kitchen In Memory of Desmond Bowden - Parthenia Bowden
A tenant of the National Civil Right Museum is to work for justice and equity for all, especially people in underserved and vulnerable populations. A primary focus for this year has been Census 2020, which affects funding and planning for vital parts of our communities, including education, health care and infrastructure. Locally, the National Civil Rights Museum works with the 901 Counts Census engagement program. We urge you to join our efforts by completing your packet now even though the deadline has been extended to August 2020. Due to COVID-19, outreach has been suspended, but you can still do your part by completing your packet online, by phone or mail. If you have already received notification via mail, just enter your Census ID. The completion time is less than 10 minutes. The Census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and achieves the following: ● ●
Determines how federal funding flows into states and communities Determines the number of Congressional seats for each state
Click here to learn why your count matters! https://2020census.gov/
The National Civil Rights Museum was among 10 institutions nationwide to receive the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The award designates NCRM as a library or museum that makes the most significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Terri Lee Freeman said, “We are humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award, and we are ecstatic that the Institute of Museum and Library Services has acknowledged our outstanding MLK50 programming. It was tremendous work for the staff, but truly a labor of love.” In its 25th year of the award, NCRM was selected out of 30 national finalists. Museum leadership received the award in an official ceremony in Washington, DC.
In Memory of Wilma J. Cooper - Homer E. Brooks In Memory of Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Fund In Honor of Gloria Ann Martin - Betsy M. Carley In Memory of James A. Perkins - The Gilliland Family Fund In Memory of Melvin Crew - Doug Crew In Memory of & In Honor of Ronald and Freddie Currie - Deborah A. Currie In Memory of and In Honor of Martin L. King - Holly Dannunzio In Memory of & In Honor of Allison E. Delk - Paulette J. Delk In Memory of & In Honor of Annie L. Boyd - Mona Donald In Memory of & In Honor of Howard W. Thurman - James S. Emrich In Memory of & In Honor of Lucille & Dorothy Tennial - Evolve Bank & Trust In Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks - Charles P. Fischbach In Memory of & In Honor of George Lee - Terri L. Freeman In Honor of Our Ancestors - Terri L. Freeman Celebration in Honor of Lillian Brown - Mary Jo Greil In Memory of & In Honor of Ensign J. Brown - Richard Harries In Memory of Brumsic Brandon - Jennifer Hobbs In Memory of Beverly Canzater-Jacobs - Gregory Jacobs In Memory of Patricia Howard - Barbara E. Jones In Memory of & In Honor of Martin L. King - E. K. Jones To Honor the Work of Beverly C. Robertson - Ben Kamin In Memory of Anita Epstein - Harvey Kaminski In Memory of & In Honor of John Salter - Edwin King In Honor of Derek Grimmett - Jennifer Knox In Honor of Beverly C. Robertson - Dr. Lawrence E. & Yvonne Madlock In Honor of Amy & Stewart Chisam - Jasmine Majid In Honor of Leslie B. McLemore, II, Esq. - Leslie-Burl McLemore In Honor of Mrs. Harper A. McLemore - Leslie-Burl McLemore To Honor the Work of Stephanie Jones at Cloovernook Center for the B. Memphis - Menus4ALL, Inc. Honoring Margot Stern-Strom, Founder of Facing History - Michael J. Zaqmkow and Sue E. Berman Charitable Foundation In Memory of Maya Angelou - Scott Pierce In Special Recognition of Martin L. King - Charlotte Prewitt In Honor of Maurice Wexler - Adele Rapport In Memory of Quita T. Brown - Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc. In Special Recognition of Sterling Richard King and Aaryn C. King - Rosalyn C. & Sterling King, Jr. Family Trust In Memory of John and Alice Duckett - Kariem A. Salaam In Memory of & In Honor of asfafaf asfafaf - Ulla Whitaker To Honor the Work of Martin L. King - David White In Honor of Robert & Rosie Kelly - Winston Kelly In Honor of Walter & Lou Ann Jackson - Winston Kelly
Thank You to Our Donors! $100,000 +
Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Anonymous Fund Mr. & Mrs. Bert E. Barnett Cindy & Kevin Brewer Fund Kathy & J.W. Gibson Charitable Fund Jim & Lucia Gilliland Karkera Family Fund Roger Knox Mrs. John P. Shehan FedEx Corporation Ford Motor Company International Paper State of Tennessee
Amy & Bill Rhodes Schwab Charitable Fund Mary H. McDaniel Carol Lee and Joe Royer Glenn & Linda Sessoms Gift Fund Siemens Industry, Inc. U.S. Chamber Institute For Legal Reform
$2,500-$4,999
AARP AT&T John & Hilda Arnold Foundation BNSF Foundation TX/ BNSF Railway BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Bluff City Medical Society Burch, Porter & Johnson PLLC Christian Community Foundation, Inc. Code Crew Commercial Bank and Trust Company CyberGrants LLC Duncan-Williams, Inc. Ernst and Young Facebook Payments Inc. Georgia-Pacific Memphis Cellulose Hilton Worldwide Loews Hotels Holding Corporation Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church ProTech Services Group, Inc. Shelby County Schools Susan Springfield SunTrust Bank Sharon Taylor Tri-State Bank of Memphis Maurice & Alice Wexler Spence L. Wilson
These gifts were received from October 1, 2019 - January 31, 2020
LLC Tucker Johnson Deborah C. & King Johnson Kemmons Wilson Companies Memphis Bar Foundation James Perriott and Diane Cary Elliott Perry Sandra Randolph Sandra Reed Beverly T. & Kenneth Sakauye Debbie & Lou Salkind Glenn & Linda Sessoms Richard Shadyac St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Southern Heritage Foundation, Inc. State Farm Insurance Company Michael Ugwueke United Way of the MidSouth The Urban Child Institute Thomas Wicinski Jan Young
Crystal Walker Jonathan I. Wax A C and Ruby Wharton Monica C. Wharton YourCause Paying Agent for Corporate Giving Program Joy Buggs Chrisopher Lowe Winston Kelly Rickey Redic Yuletide Office Solution Michael J. Zamkow and Sue E. Berman Charitable Foundation
$100-$499
Emerson R. Able Ben C. Adams Glenn & Leonia Adams $25,000 - $49,999 Titilola Akhigbe Cummins, Inc. Carmen W. Anderson Darryl Arbor $10,000-$24,999 Samuel Aroutiounian Acton Family Fund AT&T Employee Giving Baptist Memorial Health Campaign Care Christina M. Bacon Census 2020 Leo Bearman Cigna Sally S. Beaudette ExxonMobil Foundation Timuel D. & Zenobia Fidelity Charitable Trust $500-$999 Black Acton Family Fund ArtsMemphis Timothy and Cynthia Debbie & Lou Salkind James & Martha Boyd Bowers Philip & Lori Goetz Suzie Bowen Denise Bradford Kroger Delta Division Annie E. Casey Brandon D. Colom Marketing Foundation Financial Services Mahaffey Events & Tents C. L. Caswell Jazmine Brazier LLC Frank Caldwell Sylvia Brown Morgan Stanley Global Don B. & Cecilia Clanton Terry P. Brown Impact Fund Fred L. Davis Insurance Cynthia Bryant Cathy D. Ross Agency Joy Buggs Thomas Wicinski Aimee Elliote Lila B. Burke Cathy D. Ross Angela T. Faulkner Deloris J. Burrow Sedgwick Claims Henry Fields Diana J. Butts Management Services, Cristina Fockler Cambria Academy Gifted Inc. Fork It Over Catering, LLC LTD ServiceMaster First Horizon Foundation Christopher B. Claude & Smith and Nephew, Inc. Jeffery D. Harris Fara Captain-Claude Southeastern Asset Sharon D. Harris Philip J. Carey Management, Inc. David J. Harris James Carpenter Southwest Airlines $1,000-$2,499 O. M. Hawkins Mutlu Celikok Staff Line, LLC Esmond L. Arrindell Deborah M. Herzberg Robert Chasin Tennessee Valley Benevity Community Fund Gina Higgins Charles H. Chatman Authority Jason Guy Jacquelyn Horton Monica Childress The Kresge Foundation Reginald Quiney Jennifer Johnson Chandra K. Clark Tower Ventures, Bob Stryker Carol R. Johnson Darrell Cobbins Management, LLC Tsitsi Jones LaRose Coffey Valero Memphis Refinery Parthenia Bowden Cindy & Kevin Brewer Jacquelyn Horton Melvin Cole United Way of the MidCalifornia Community Shaila Karkera Jalessa J. Collins South Foundation Rosalyn C. & Sterling Lisa Cooke LaRose Coffey DelBrocco and Associates King, Jr. Family Trust Kathy Moore Cowan Amy & Bill Rhodes Delta Sigma Theta Mona Mansour Doug Crew Susan Springfield Sorority Memphis Faith Morris Stephanie M. Crenshaw United Way of the Alumnae Chapter Charlene Price Deborah A. Currie Mid-South Craig Dunn Daniel T. Quinn Rosie P. Davis April Fields Andie Ray Susan A. Davis $5,000-$9,999 Carlos Fifer Darrell Ray Mandra Davis Dr. Roy and Lydia Renaissance Charitable Toya P. Dawson Nelda & Tyrone Burroughs First Horizon Foundation Fox 13 Foundation, Inc. Roy Deberry Brenda & Gregory M. Frontstream Workplace Rosie Richmond Paulette J Delk Duckett Philantrophy Sedgwick Claims Dipjar Jean Entine Thomas Wicinski Management Services, DonorsChoose.org Herbert H. & Shirley Rose J. Flenorl Inc. Tosha Downey Hilliard Graham Edwin and Adam Silver Jed Dreifus Connie L. Lensing Sharon Janosik Mitchell Rufus Smith Thomas Dubose Mary H. McDaniel Foundation Michael C. Subit MaryKatherine Dunn Charitable Fund Demetria Gregory William B. Townsend Gina R. Earnest Mechanical Systems Jason Guy Christie Travis Anne Edgar Company, LLC Inventory Locator Service, Vintage 901 Incorporated Eggleston Art Foundation Regional One Health
Nnaemeka Egwuekwe Mark C. Elliott Brinille E. Ellis Spencer A. Ellis Angela T. Faulkner Erin K. Fay Fedtrust - Federal Credit Union Daphene E. Fitchpatrick Stephen Flatow Rose J. Flenorl Nathan Foster W. Beall Fowler Les E. Freeman Terri L. Freeman Amy Fuller Randy Gaddy Kathryn T. Gammino Mary Gardner Eddye Gill Wrensey Gill Willie J. Gillard Jim & Lucia Gilliland Peggy Glass Sheila Glover Philip & Lori Goetz Nikolas Granger Angelica Graves Micah Greenstein Doris M. Griffith Amber Hamilton Margaret Hanlon-Gradie Goldie M. Harrell Richard Harries Hattiloo Theatre Benjamin Hawkins Patricia Hayley Marilyn Hazzle Cheryl Hearn Sara Heinz HGF, Inc. Alexander M. Hoffman Joseph Hollingsworth Henry Hooper DaJuan B. Horton April Hubbard Evan A. Iverson James B. Jalenak Valerie Jarrett Jewish Foundation of Memphis Judy & Neil Ringel Krista Johns Ethel Johnson Rebecca A. Johnson Norman A. Johnson Mae R. Johnson Barbara E. Jones E. K. Jones Nathaniel R. Jones Nicole C. Jones Ben Kamin Mary Kanowitz Marsha C. Kelly Winston Kelly Cynthia Kilic-Murray Edwin King Peter B. Kingsley Betty T. & Joseph Kyles Barbara Lapides Katbarine Lauer Carol Lee & Joe Royer Nels R. Leutwiler Ronald Littmann Lawrence E. & Yvonne Madlock Jamie Maher Jasmine Majid Patricia A. Mandel
Robert Marczynski Eugene Martin Wendy A. McCorvey Stephen McIntosh Leslie-Burl McLemore Claudia L. Miller Linda McMillin Meta Travel Nadia Mitchem Patricia Moody Joe Ann Moore Judith W. Black Moore Lisa L. Moreland Bryan Murray Jenny Norton Jeanette M. O’Bryant Jennifer Oswalt Susan Penn Deborah Plattsmier Eileen M. Prout Richard Pugh Heidi A. Ramirez Shane Ray Raymond James Charitable Debi Rezabek-Elliott Karyl B. Rice Judy & Neil Ringel Dorothy Robinson Misty Rosser-White Brittany N. Ross Kariem A Salaam Alan D. Samuels Reginald Sanders Corey Sanford Howard S. Schwartz Ernest L. Seevers John T. Shannon Bethany Sharp Michelle A. Shelton Bjorn K. Simmons Robert E. Simpson Ronald L. Sklar Teresa C. Sloyan Emma Smith Harriet H. Smith Linda Smith-Johnson Shayna S. Somer Dr. Steve Stone Steve Strain Bob Stryker Herlinda Sweeney Leslie Swiggum Tacuma Alexander Agency Melody B. Terrell Elmer E. Terry Marybeth S. Tomka Top Notch Security, Inc. Emily Trenholm Johnnie R. Turner Hazel Vann Sabrina L. Vaughn Cedric Walker Sonia L. Walker James P. Walters Erica D. Ware Jericka Webster Michelle R. West Freda G. Williams Hattie Williams Lindsey and Tara Williams Willie F. Williams Archie Willis Nelson Willis Ron Willis Quilenthia WingfieldAccime Erica Woodard
Bridget Zingale
$50-$99
A. Anonymous Michael Baber Jo Bettridge Helen B. Boyd LaDonna Boyd Gabrielle S. Bradford Cecil Brown Art Campfield Betsy M. Carley Kenneth Chalmers Daniel T. Clancy Catherine E. Crismon Nancy Cullum Edward Davis Christopher DeAgazio Suzanne DuBarry Earline W. Duncan Ruth Eisenberg James S. Emrich Mary Elizabeth Farris Henry Fields Charles P. Fischbach Ann Fisher Jacob A. Floyd Lee W. Formwalt Pamela Gold James Granger Caldwell Hardin Mary Jo Harmon Rev. Tonya S. S. Harris Iris A. Hawkins Charnina E. Hayes Allegra R. Haynes Jeanice Hayslett Elton C. Higgins Keisha Higgins Jennifer Hobbs Janice Holder Joe Hollingsworth Michael K. Honey Jon D. Hornyak Joe D. Howard International Business Machines (IBM) Gregory Jacobs Lise K. Jacobson Michael R. Jeng Lucia M. Johnson Ida Jones Bobby Jones Harvey Kaminski Brenda M. Kyles Christopher W. Lomas Jasmine Mackey Satoshi Matsui Audrey May Emmitt McChriston Nancie McDermott Claira d. McGrath Harrison D. McIver Carol Miller Carolyn Morton Millicent D. Moye Gloria B. Murphy Joanne Nabors Jerry Norman Chiwaraidzo Nyabando Gina M. Paddock Nancy C. Paine Mary Peete Scott Pierce Allison Pisavz Bobby S. Probst Reginald Quiney Adele Rapport George N. Reaves
Thank you to our generous donors for these gifts received from October 1, 2019 – January 31, 2020. Our work continues because of you and for you. Civilrightsmuseum.org/give
Samuel D. Redd Rickey Redic Trovieis K. Rhynes Dillon H. Robinson Kariem A Salaam Shelia Seymore-Pennick Jay Siegel Brenda H. Smith Joan G. Smith Joellyn F. Sullivan Chris Trew Carmen D. TriplettWatson Calvin Turley Victoria Vernau Calvin Whewell Ulla Whitaker Margaret D. Wilder Joyclyn D. Wilson Lisa Youngberg
$49 and UNDER
AmazonSmile Foundation Donation Disbursement Helen G. Anderson Roxanne Anderson Deborah Andrews A. Anonymous Michael Balfour Bodega Bar & Kitchen Sumit Borah Homer E. Brooks Michael Brown Robert Burgess Bruce J. Byots Can U See Her Project Norman Carr Vanessa C. Clark Geno Collins Jean Daugherty Mona Donald Kelly R. Ellis Evolve Bank & Trust Gary Fonville Juan J. Fuentes Mary Jo Greil Linda Hall Christa Holmes Rhonda H. Hunt Xeerxeema Jordan Jennifer Knox Hilary Krivchenia Jordan Lewis Christopher Lowe Doris McGee Ben McInnis Menus4ALL, Inc. Anthony H. Menzies Machel L. Mills Claire Minarick Network For Good David Paulson Eleanor C. Pinckney Sarah Potter Charlotte Prewitt Robert D. Reisman Todd Rockoff Armund Schoen Barbara J. Smith Carl O. Snowden Marcia G. Synnott Renee C. Thompson Canzata B. Turner Peeranut Visetsuth William T. Weir James White H. Glenn Ziegenfuss