NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM TO CAP MLK50 COMMEMORATION WITH AN EVENING OF STORYTELLING

Memphis, TN, March 22, 2018 -- The National Civil Rights Museum (NCRM) will host An Evening of Storytelling on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Crosstown Concourse.  The evening starts with a pre-reception at 5:30pm followed by Storytelling at 7:00pm at Crosstown Concourse.  This signature event will be the culmination of a yearlong MLK50 Commemoration marking the 50^th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  An Evening of Storytelling will bring living icons of the early civil rights movement and emerging social justice leaders together for an intimate look at the American Civil Rights Movement from its past foundations of the 1950s and 1960s to the mobilizations and grassroots organizing happening now.  With anecdotes, moderated discourse, music, dance, and art, the crowning event for MLK50 will explore how past activism laid the groundwork for current action and how new civil rights movement makers are working to advance the social justice legacy of Dr. King.

An Evening of Storytelling addresses the MLK50 theme, Where Do We Go from Here?  Former MSNBC anchor Tamron Hall will host the event, which will feature candid discussions on the political, legal, and cultural aspects of social justice activism.  Invited speakers will share their recollections from the front lines, analysis of modern strategies, and ideas for new techniques that modern activists can use to further Dr. King’s platforms for peace, justice and equity.  Confirmed guests include seasoned civil rights icons U.S. Congressman John Lewis, Marian Wright Edelman, James Lawson, Jesse Jackson, Bernard Lafayette, Diane Nash, Clarence Jones, Mike Cody, Elaine Turner, Bill Lucy, and Coby Smith along with new movement makers Gina Belafonte, Tamika Mallory, Yahdon Israel, Bree Newsome, Quentin James, Nicole Porter, Alicia Garza, and Tami Sawyer.  Georgetown University sociology professor Michael Eric Dyson and White House correspondent April Ryan will be the moderators for the discussions.

NCRM president Terri Lee Freeman describes An Evening of Storytelling as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to draw direct motivation from the past and present vanguard of the ongoing fight for the rights of all American citizens. 

“By bringing both veteran and rising civil rights leaders together for thoughtful, candid, and inspiring dialogue, we hope to stimulate and engage the audience to get involved and take action to address the persistent social justice concerns that continue to plague our communities.”

Admission to An Evening of Storytelling is $100.  Tickets are now available online at mlk50.civilrightsmuseum.org.  Hashtag is #MLK50NCRM.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/82000a3c-4ee0-4701-8fe0-a8604fe7f718

Faith Morris
National Civil Rights Museum
901-527-1226
[email protected]