SUMNER — The Emmett Till Interpretive Center (ETIC) here was awarded a $10,000 public programming grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council.
ETIC’s proposal was one of 10 proposals funded, totaling $84,000 in grant funds awarded. The grant will be used to fund ETIC’s programming of speaking engagements across the state in 2025.
In 2025, ETIC will mark the 70th anniversary of Emmett Till’s murder with a series of events throughout the year, culminating in an August commemoration service.
Among the events will be “Remembering Emmett: From Silence to Social Justice,” a series of public talks with ETIC staff and a panel discussion with civil rights veterans. This program will be held for free at various educational and community institutions across Mississippi.
Led by Dr. Daphne Chamberlain, ETIC’s chief program officer, staff from ETIC will educate the public about the Till story, its impact on the Civil Rights Movement, and how that history still resonates today.
In addition, ETIC is partnering with veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement, an organization dedicated to preserving the history of civil rights in the state. Panels will include speakers delivering oral histories of their engagement in the struggle for civil rights and the impact of Emmett Till’s murder on the movement. These voices will lift up the stories and courage of those who worked toward change and will make the past come alive for attendees.
“The Emmett Till Interpretive Center is grateful for the Mississippi Humanities Council’s commitment to supporting critical history and cultural initiatives such as Remembering Emmett: From Silence to Social Justice,” said Chamberlain. “Their support will enable our staff — in collaboration with the Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement — to educate and empower a diverse and intergenerational audience of Mississippians through the legacy of Emmett Louis Till. While this tour will expand our reach both in the Mississippi Delta and across the state, it will help us fulfill our mission in ensuring that Emmett Till and his story are never forgotten.”
Inquiries about the year of programming and the speaking engagements can be directed to info@emmett-till.org.
