SUMNER — The National Park Service (NPS) has announced it has entered into a partnership, designating the Emmett Till Interpretive Center (ETIC) of Sumner as an official philanthropic and educational partner of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument.
Established by President Joe Biden in 2023, the monument includes sites dedicated to the legacies of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, including Sumner's Tallahatchie County Courthouse and Graball Landing in Mississippi, and Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ in Illinois.
“We are honored to partner with the National Park Service. As official interpreters for the National Monument, we are committed to the complete and accurate telling of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley’s history, and to ensuring the public understands that the racism and anti-Black violence that caused Emmett Till’s death still exists today," said Patrick Weems, executive director of ETIC.
"The creation of this national monument was made possible by decades of local activism, and ETIC will continue to center local voices and community organizations in this next phase of an ongoing effort to bring attention, resources, and visitors to these major historical sites here in Mississippi," Weems added.
“For nearly two decades, ETIC has collaborated with countless organizations to preserve the legacies of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley, while facilitating racial healing, reconciliation, and community uplift across the Mississippi Delta and beyond,” said William Cheek, acting superintendent of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument for NPS. “Together, we will work to engage diverse communities, produce powerful storytelling and inspire future generations of stewards dedicated to making a positive difference for a greater purpose.”
As an official partner, ETIC will provide tours and educational programming and lead philanthropic efforts in support of the park’s Mississippi units.
