Medgar Evers College Gala Celebrates Namesake’s Centennial Birthday
Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton, Honorable Ed Towns, JP Morgan Chase Among Honorees
By David Gil de Rubio
This past July 2 would have been the centennial birthday of civil rights icon Medgar Wiley Evers. With 2025 being such a milestone year, Medgar Evers College (MEC) and the broader Central Brooklyn community have spent months honoring Evers’ life and legacy. Among the events were two delegations made up of the Dr. Patricia Ramsey, students, faculty and staff that traveled to Jackson, MS to participate in a symposium and birthday celebration of the civil rights icon along with April’s Daughters of the Legacy program. The culminating tribute was the Medgar Wiley Evers Centennial Celebration held at The Penthouse at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Students, faculty, elected officials, business partners and community supporters gathered to honor the college’s namesake—and enduring symbol of justice and courage who was cut short by assassination on June 12, 1963. The evening was filled with reflection, inspiration and recognition of the generations shaped by Evers’ work.
A Night of Celebration, Legacy and Community
The gala featured performances by dance troupe Creative Outlet and Olu Ramsey and the Olucination Band, with WABC 7 News correspondent Phil Taitt, serving as master of ceremonies. Among the distinguished guests were Lurie Daniel Favors and Provost Annette Coleman, both of whom underscored the importance of honoring Evers’ legacy.
“This is one of those moments where we get to enjoy each other, build community, but we get to celebrate 100 years of this legacy we walk in every day,” Daniel Favors reflected. “This night lets us focus on those things we’re doing exquisitely—and there are many. I’m privileged to be in this space.”
Provost Coleman added:
“Tonight is not only an opportunity for people to fundraise, but to connect, network and celebrate the 100th birthday of our namesake.”
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
Dr. Albert Vann Leadership Legacy Award
Recognizing the Honorable Ed Towns
The Dr. Albert Vann Leadership Legacy Award was presented to the Honorable Ed Towns, a longtime ally and friend of the late Dr. Albert Vann. Vann’s daughter, Binta Vann, presented the award, emphasizing the deep connection between her father and Congressman Towns.
“Standing here at a Medgar Evers College gathering, commemorating the centennial birthday of a warrior who bears this name, makes this moment even more meaningful,” the younger Vann said. “Because the connection between my father and Congressman Ed Towns is a story of shared dreams, mutual respect and profound commitment to the community.”
Towns, who once taught at Medgar Evers College and sat alongside Vann at meetings during the school’s formative planning stages, reflected:
“This is a very special award to me. I’m excited we were able to have a college of higher education in our community. It means so much. I only regret Al wasn’t here with us tonight.”
Medgar Wiley Evers Centennial Award
Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton honored
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
The inaugural Medgar Wiley Evers Centennial Award presented to Reverend Dr. Al Sharpton, whose civil rights leadership spans decades and includes founding of the National Action Network (NAN), Sharpton, who has longstanding ties to Medgar Evers College and the late Dr. Betty Shabazz, expressed deep gratitude:
“This is one of the greatest honors of my life. Medgar Evers was the impetus for many of the gains in civil rights. The way Dr. Ramsey has put this together is phenomenal. Medgar Evers College is standing strong with the community rallying behind it and we have a great leader in her.”
Documentary Spotlight: Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers
One of the many gala highlights was a screening of the trailer for Everlasting: Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers, a documentary by filmmaker Taiwo Gaynor. Shot over four years and featuring extensive involvement from the Evers family, the film brings long-overdue recognition to Evers’ contributions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4vrEZ-tXWU
“His story is the epitome of citizenship and democracy,” Gaynor said. It’s a story for this time.”
Dr Brenda Greene, Gaynor’s aunt and founder of the Center for Black Literature, praised the film and its alignment with the college’s mission.
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
“Honoring Medgar Evers reminds us of sustaining his legacy around the right to vote and serving as transformative agents in the world.”
NAACP Legacy Continues at Medgar Evers College
With Evers having been Mississippi’s first NAACP field secretary—and with his widow Myrlie later serving as national chair—the organization’s presence at the gala was significant.
James Viafara, president of the NAACP Medgar Evers College Chapter, delivered remarks that connected historic struggled with present-day purpose:
“I understand the power, pertinence and critical importance of this moment and I’m deeply humbled to be here.”
L. Joy Williams, head of the New York State Conference of the NAACP, emphasized Medgar Evers College’s pivotal role in expanding access to education:
“Medgar Evers College is an intergenerational space—a permanent onramp to higher education. Tonight shows that vision realized.”
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusola)
Bridge Builders
Dr. Robert Waterman & Rabbi Rachel Timoner
The Bridge Builders Award honored Dr. Robert Waterman, lead pastor of Brooklyn’s Antioch Baptist Church and Rabbi Rachel Timoner from nearby Congregation Beth Elohim. Timoner and Waterman, who also serves as Medgar Evers College’s Director of Career Management, were recognized for their groundbreaking interfaith partnership captured in the 2024 documentary All God’s Children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfIZLvtjvXE
“What we do is for God,” Waterman said. “When Rabbi Timoner asked if I would join her in fighting anti-Semitism, I agreed, if she would fight racism.”
(Photo by Solwazi Afi Olusala)
Timoner added, “Everything Medgar Evers stood for is being rolled back. We are with you—standing, marching and upholding the values he lived and died for.”
Community Investment Champion Award
JP Morgan Chase Recognized for Financial Wellness Leadership
Dr. Patricia Ramsey honored JP Morgan Chase for its deep and sustained investment in Medgar Evers College’s financial wellness initiatives, serving students, families, faculty, staff and the Central Brooklyn community.
A key relationship at the heart of the partnership is the bond between Dr. Ramsey and Nicol King, JP Morgan/Chase Community Banking Executive Director for New York City and Long Island.
“I want to personally say thank you…for being a beacon of strength,” King shared.
King also acknowledged her team—Monica Nation, Shakima Figuera-Collins and Deborah Johnson along with Medgar Evers College’s Peter Holoman, Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships.
“Shout out to Dr. Holoman. Thank you so much for all your partnership and helping us bring all these activations to Medgar Evers College with excellence.”
A Night of Support and Momentum
The Medgar Wiley Evers Centennial Celebration ultimately demonstrated the powerful commitment Medgar Evers College continues to inspire.
President Ramsey summed up the evening:
“Words cannot express the importance of a night like this. The community’s support, the overflowing attendance and the love in the room made this celebration extraordinary. While our honorees receive awards all the time, the special meaning of receiving them from Medgar Evers College made this evening truly special.”