The National Civil Rights Museum mourns with the nation on the passing of Dexter Scott King. Dexter King, the youngest son of slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered for his commitment to preserving his father’s legacy. He was the strategist and visionary who led the King Estate and chaired The […]
Tag: Remembering a Leader
Honor the movement figures the museum has mourned, from Rev. James Lawson to Archbishop Desmond Tutu. These posts mark the passing of leaders, honorees, and elders who advanced civil and human rights. We remember them by carrying their work forward.
Museum Statement Regarding the Passing of Harry Belafonte
The National Civil Rights Museum joins the world in grieving the loss of a civil rights activist, cultural legend, and its 1999 Freedom Award honoree, Mr. Harry Belafonte. Belafonte was a charismatic, candid, and compassionate activist who used his platform to advance civil and human rights in America and abroad. From his early years of meteoric […]
Museum Statement on the death of Tyre Nichols
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The National Civil Rights Museum mourns another tragedy in the death of Tyre Nichols. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family fighting for justice in his killing. A killing while in police custody. A traffic […]
Museum Statement on the Passing of Dr. Charles A. Champion
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Charles A. Champion, a community pillar, pharmacist, and master compounder of Champion’s Pharmacy and Herb Store since 1981. Our deepest condolences to the Champion Family. The Champion Family’s ties are intertwined with the Museum through the Lorraine Motel’s history. In 1958, Dr. Champion married Carolyn Bailey, the […]
Museum Statement Regarding the Passing of Bill Russell
The National Civil Rights Museum mourns the passing of 2011 Freedom Award honoree and sports pioneer, William Felton Russell. Following baseball legend Jackie Robinson’s example, Bill Russell believed it was his responsibility as a celebrity to use his platform to stand up for positive social change. Bill Russell was an outspoken advocate for civil rights. […]
Museum Statement Regarding the Passing of Sidney Poitier
The National Civil Rights Museum joins the world in grieving the loss of a great icon and its 2001 Freedom Award honoree, Mr. Sidney Poitier. Poitier was a trailblazing thespian and staunch civil rights activist that remained true to his principles. His art reflected his convictions. Because of that, the world reimagined Black culture during […]
Museum Statement on the Passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
The National Civil Rights Museum grieves the loss of world leader and 1992 Freedom Award honoree, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Tutu became the first black Anglican Dean of Johannesburg in 1975, Bishop of Johannesburg in 1985, and Archbishop of Cape Town in 1986. Under his vigorous leadership, the church in South Africa became immersed in the […]
Museum Statement on the Passing of Secretary Colin Powell
The National Civil Rights Museum expresses deep sorrow in the passing of 1997 Freedom Award honoree, Secretary Colin L. Powell. Secretary Powell was appointed by President George W. Bush as the 65th Secretary of State in 2000, becoming the first African American Secretary of State in the U.S. Powell was a professional soldier for 35 […]
Museum Statement on the Passing of Bob Moses
The National Civil Rights Museum mourns the passing of civil rights icon Bob Moses, a visionary leader, innovative educator and champion for voting rights. Moses received the museum’s Freedom Award in 2014. Bob Moses was born Robert Parrish Moses in Harlem, NY. He understood that access to the ballot for the most underserved required educating […]
Celebrating Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a holiday in the Black community celebrating the emancipation of slaves in Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth has evolved to symbolize the celebration of the emancipation of all enslaved people. Last year, in response to the pandemic and the death of George Floyd, several Black museums came together to organize the Black Freedom Collective which […]
Farewell Terri
By Herb Hilliard Chair, Museum Board of Directors Terri Lee Freeman answered the call to lead the National Civil Rights Museum in November 2014. She arrived just a few months after the museum’s most expansive renovation. She came to the museum understanding the huge investment and brought with her a new perspective on what the museum […]
Museum Mourns the Passing of Freedom Award Honoree Frank Robinson
We are saddened by the passing of baseball icon Frank Robinson, a Hall of Famer, two-time MVP, and MLB’s first African-American manager. He was honored by the National Civil Rights Museum with the Freedom Award Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. His contributions to civil rights and baseball were many, including the integration of black players […]