The Centennial Celebration of Medgar Wiley Evers: ‘I felt a deeper sense of purpose’

•••

Editor’s note: This the third part of a five-part series written by students that made the expedition to Jackson, Mississippi from June 26-29, 2025, to celebrate the centennial birthday of Medgar Wiley Evers.

•••

By Tariq Nicholls-Shallow | Sophomore, Computer Science

Attending the 2nd Annual Democracy In Action Convening has been nothing short of a transformative and life-altering experience. 

Being there and learning about the life and legacy of Medgar Wiley Evers has not only opened my eyes to the discrimination and problems that America has today, but also inspired me to do more for my community and my people. 

Upon my arrival at the convention center, I was face-to-face with not only Black excellence, but some of Jackson’s very own civil rights leaders and activists, Reena Evers-Everette, Jerry W. Keahey, Sr. and Dave Dennis, Sr. to name a few. These were the people who lived through Jim Crow and segregation laws and, by the grace of God, lived long enough to tell the tale. 

The next two days consisted of various panel discussions with each one having its own specific theme and connection to Medgar’s legacy. 

One of the most memorable panel discussions for me was the Leadership & Fight for Justice panel that featured political leader, author, and advocate Stacey Abrams, who spoke on the changing landscape of leadership in the fight for justice in the world. Ms. Abrams’ words were powerful and striking. Each sentence she spoke hit like a rallying cry — like the kind of quote you’d see plastered on a wartime poster, meant to steal your spirit before heading into battle. And that metaphor isn’t an exaggeration. I was deeply moved by her words and genuinely surprised when she acknowledged the young people in the room, especially those of us from Medgar Evers College.

In that moment, I felt the weight of so many eyes on me, passing down their wisdom like a torch, trusting me to carry it forward and spark change in the world. It made me feel special in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. I also had meaningful conversations with scholars from across the country and panelists who didn’t speak to me like just another student in a classroom, but like a friend they genuinely wanted to get to know. 

Lastly, visiting Mr. Evers’ home in Jackson made the experience all the more real. 

I stood on the same pavement he once stood on before he was killed 62 years ago, walking through the very hallways and rooms he once called home. As I reflected on his death, I was struck by the realization that Mr. Evers was a man who looked like me, spoke like me, and yet was killed solely because of the color of his skin.

Attending this convening was more than just an educational experience, but rather a transformative one. From hearing Stacey Abrams speak powerful words that felt like rallying cries for justice, to standing on the same ground where Medgar Evers once stood, I felt a deeper sense of purpose awaken within me. 

For the first time, I felt truly connected, not just to Medgar Evers College, but to the mission it represents. I left this experience inspired, empowered, and ready to carry the torch of change forward.