GLENDORA — The community prayer vigil hosted by the Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center (ETHIC) here on Aug. 28 brought together more than 50 community members in prayer, remembrance, healing and a shared call to action against violence.
“The strong response reflected the deep concern and grief surrounding violence in the community, as well as a growing desire among residents to come together and take meaningful steps toward preventing further loss of life,” said Sharon Hill, ETHIC’s executive director. “We see it as a call to do more.”
The interfaith vigil marked the 71st anniversary of the death of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old Chicago youth who was kidnapped and brutally murdered in Mississippi in August 1955. While remem-bering Till and the profound impact of his death on American history, the gathering also honored others throughout the Mississippi Delta and across the nation whose lives have been lost to senseless violence.
It was led by local faith leaders Rev. Winfred Hill of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Glendora and Frierson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Sylvester Walker of New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church in Webb; and Melvin Hill, deacon at True Bible Way Church of Jesus Christ in Tippo.
The evening included prayers, the reading aloud of the names of individuals whose lives were lost to violence and a candle lighting ceremony.
“These moments created an atmosphere of reflection and remembrance while providing an opportunity for community members to grieve together and affirm the value of every life,” Hill said. “They were a powerful reminder that every life has meaning, every story deserves to be remembered, and communities have the capacity to come together in the face of violence and loss.”
For ETHIC, the prayer vigil represents the beginning of a broader effort to engage the community in addressing violence, preserving memories and creating opportunities for healing. It has prompted ETHIC to establish a community committee to provide an opportunity for residents, faith leaders, families, community organizations and other stakeholders to work together to identify meaningful strategies for violence prevention, remembrance, healing and community engagement. ETHIC will work with community members who have experienced the devastating impact of violence firsthand, including Reshunda Westbrooks, whose brother, Charles Westbrooks, was killed on May 14, 2024.
In addition, ETHIC is developing a Memorial and Reflective Garden on the museum grounds with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for late October.
ETHIC’s vision extends beyond preserving history.
“For ETHIC, the work continues, from remembrance to healing, and from healing to action,” she said. “The vision of ETHIC is to be a welcoming and transformative place — a hallowed ground in Glendora — where historic truths and the richness of our culture come together to inspire understanding, unity and action. We seek to preserve local stories, honor shared struggles, introduce contemporary voices and empower all people to help build a more just, compassionate and equitable world.”
