The Centennial Celebration of Medgar Wiley Evers: ‘Our stories are tools for liberation’
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Editor’s note: This is the fourth part of a six-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.
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By Eternity Council | Senior, Psychology Major | eternity.council77@mec.cuny.edu
To be personally invited back to Mississippi by Ms. Reena Evers-Everette was a true calling, a full-circle moment that reminded me how much life can change in just two years.
The first time I attended the Gen Z Summit, I was a sophomore, only a year into my journey as a student leader. I was honored to be recognized for the innovative, creative, and insightful ideas I brought to the Medgar Evers College campus.
As I reflect on how much my life has changed from then to now, I can honestly say that 2023 Eternity had no idea how impactful her voice would become for the next generation. Attending the Democracy in Action Convening affirmed that the fight for justice and equity is still very much alive today.
The Daddies & Daughters Legacy Reception was deeply inspirational. It was moving to witness how invested the people of Mississippi are in the work of the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute (MMEI). The room was filled with legacy children, a powerful reminder of generational impact. I connected with college interns from Tuskegee University who helped staff the event, and I was grateful for the opportunity to engage with them. The reception also honored many individuals who have made a lasting impact in Mississippi and at MMEI. We ended the evening reflecting and reconnecting with the daughters of Medgar Evers, Vernon Dahmer, and Robert Kennedy, a truly humbling experience.
Day 2 was packed with inspiration and transformation. It featured a keynote speech by Dr. Michael Williams was both beautiful and deeply impactful. The day continued with a book signing by Joy-Ann Reid and Dr. Williams, insightful discussions with journalists, and breakout seminars moderated by media professional Lance Wheeler.
One of the most emotional moments for me was during the screening of a trailer for an upcoming documentary on Medgar Evers. It was my first time ever hearing his voice. That moment stopped me in my tracks. There was something incredibly powerful about finally hearing the man whose legacy I’ve worked to honor, it made him real in a way history books and murals never could.
I became overwhelmed with emotion thinking about how many lives Medgar Evers touched. I thought about the students who have graduated from Medgar Evers College, and how many more still don’t know enough about the man behind the name. His commitment to his community, his relentless fight for justice, this is not just history.
Believe it or not, it’s our story now. We are part of his legacy. It’s our responsibility to continue his work and to keep his voice alive.
Later that day, I was interviewed about my personal growth and asked to give advice to today’s Gen Z. My message was clear:
Seek out your elders. Learn from them. Keep our oral traditions alive. Because our stories are tools for liberation.
