FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 10/27/09) Two of the country's greatest African-American legends are in town to receive awards from the National Civil Rights Museum.
The National Freedom Awards recognized civil rights leader Myrlie Evers-Williams and basketball great Julius "Dr. J" Erving. A public forum at the COGIC's Temple of Deliverance preceded official ceremonies at the Cook Convention Center. At the public forum, the crowd was filled with school children and both of the award recipients spoke specifically to their audience, hoping to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Children in the audience cheered when basketball legend "Dr. J" took the stage. However, he made a point to highlight his humanitarian and civic work instead of his basketball talents. He spoke about overcoming challenges in his life, including poverty and coming from a broken home. "Dr. J" also spoke about how mentoring is central to his life. Erving has received numerous awards for his philanthropic work and now will receive the 2009 Legecy Award.
"I don't stand before you as the perfect role model, but involuntarily I have become a role model," said Erving. "That mentoring evolves from being mentored to. Then, one day, you realize the stuff that you've been asking people, now somebody is asking you about."
A moving speech from Myrlie Evers-Williams inspired the young crowd to give back. She's the wife of Medgar Evers, the civil rights legend who was assassinated by a segregationist in 1963. For more than 30 years, she fought for the conviction of her husbands killer, and when the guilty verdict came in 1994, it paved the way for other civil rights cases to finally see justice. Evers-Williams hopes her story will inspire school children to work past their obstacles. Evers-Williams is the 2009 National Freedom Award recipient.
"I have always worked so very hard to see that Medgar Evers was known, was appreciated, with no idea of having any kind of tribute paid to me," said Evers-Williams. "Don't waste your time in being negative about anything. Take it as a challenge. Rise above it. Become the leaders that you know you are and that you can be, move forward into the future because it is yours to have, to hold, and to nurture."
- Myrlie Evers-Williams receives National Freedom Award
- Julius "DR. J" Erving receives Legecy Award
- Both honorees hoping to inspire young generation of civic leaders
(Memphis 10/27/09) Two of the country's greatest African-American legends are in town to receive awards from the National Civil Rights Museum.
The National Freedom Awards recognized civil rights leader Myrlie Evers-Williams and basketball great Julius "Dr. J" Erving. A public forum at the COGIC's Temple of Deliverance preceded official ceremonies at the Cook Convention Center. At the public forum, the crowd was filled with school children and both of the award recipients spoke specifically to their audience, hoping to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Children in the audience cheered when basketball legend "Dr. J" took the stage. However, he made a point to highlight his humanitarian and civic work instead of his basketball talents. He spoke about overcoming challenges in his life, including poverty and coming from a broken home. "Dr. J" also spoke about how mentoring is central to his life. Erving has received numerous awards for his philanthropic work and now will receive the 2009 Legecy Award.
"I don't stand before you as the perfect role model, but involuntarily I have become a role model," said Erving. "That mentoring evolves from being mentored to. Then, one day, you realize the stuff that you've been asking people, now somebody is asking you about."
A moving speech from Myrlie Evers-Williams inspired the young crowd to give back. She's the wife of Medgar Evers, the civil rights legend who was assassinated by a segregationist in 1963. For more than 30 years, she fought for the conviction of her husbands killer, and when the guilty verdict came in 1994, it paved the way for other civil rights cases to finally see justice. Evers-Williams hopes her story will inspire school children to work past their obstacles. Evers-Williams is the 2009 National Freedom Award recipient.
"I have always worked so very hard to see that Medgar Evers was known, was appreciated, with no idea of having any kind of tribute paid to me," said Evers-Williams. "Don't waste your time in being negative about anything. Take it as a challenge. Rise above it. Become the leaders that you know you are and that you can be, move forward into the future because it is yours to have, to hold, and to nurture."
