Salutes Faces of Black History Back To McDonald's Salutes Faces of Black History 2025
Medgar Evers

Mississippi’s first NAACP field secretary
President John F. Kennedy’s historic civil rights address marked a pivotal evening for America. Yet the same night would end in tragedy. Medgar Evers, the 37-year-old NAACP field secretary, fell victim to an assassin’s bullet outside his Jackson, Mississippi home on June 12, 1963. His death sparked nationwide outrage and united thousands in protest.
Mississippi’s first NAACP field secretary stood tall against racial segregation, championing voting rights for African Americans. His murder at the hands of Byron De La Beckwith, a White Citizens’ Council member, moved 5,000 people to march through Jackson’s streets. Their collective grief fueled a powerful wave of activism.
Justice proved elusive, with three decades passing before a conviction arrived in 1994. Yet Evers’ sacrifice awakened America’s conscience and birthed a rallying cry that still resonates: “After Medgar, no more fear.” His story stands as testament to one man’s courage and its power to reshape history.
The Path That Led to Tragedy
Medgar Evers’ journey toward civil rights leadership took root during his World War II service. His assignment to a segregated port battalion of the Quartermaster Corps exposed him to persistent discrimination, even as he served his country. Time spent in England and France showed him a world with less racial prejudice, igniting his determination to fight inequality at home.
From World War II Veteran to Civil Rights Leader
Reality struck hard when Evers, a decorated sergeant with two Bronze Stars, returned home. He and his brother Charles faced armed resistance while attempting to vote in 1946. This experience propelled him to Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College, where he discovered his leadership voice through groundbreaking interracial seminars at Millsaps and Tougaloo colleges.
Dangerous Work as Mississippi’s First NAACP Field Secretary
The year 1954 marked Evers’ appointment as Mississippi’s pioneering NAACP field secretary. His bold vision created new local chapters, energized voter registration drives, and challenged public facility segregation. Across Mississippi, he united communities through boycotts, prayer vigils, and steadfast calls for racial harmony.
Investigating Cases That Made Him a Target
Evers fearlessly pursued truth in racially motivated crimes. His crucial investigations encompassed:
- The Emmett Till lynching of 1955, where he orchestrated witness protection and safe passage from Mississippi
- Rev. George Lee’s murder, a voting rights activist killed in May 1955
- Clyde Kennard’s unjust conviction in 1960
These pursuits placed Evers squarely in white supremacists’ crosshairs. His rising prominence drew escalating violence, including a Molotov cocktail attack on his carport in May 1963 and a deliberate attempt to strike him down outside Jackson’s NAACP office.
The Night That Changed History
President Kennedy chose June 11, 1963, to speak directly to America’s conscience. His groundbreaking televised address challenged the nation to confront racial equality head-on. The president’s words elevated civil rights beyond politics, framing it as a moral imperative that touched every American’s fundamental rights.
President Kennedy’s Civil Rights Speech
The Oval Office address signaled a decisive moment for the administration. Kennedy spoke with clarity and purpose, naming racial discrimination as a threat to American values. His promise of new civil rights legislation to Congress energized civil rights leaders, who recognized this presidential declaration as unprecedented support for their cause.
Details of the Assassination
Darkness fell on June 12, bringing tragedy to a suburban Jackson neighborhood. On June 12, Medgar Evers walked his final steps from an NAACP meeting toward home. He carried T-shirts emblazoned with “Jim Crow must go” when a bullet struck him from behind. The cruel irony of racism persisted even then – an all-white hospital initially refused him care, relenting only after his family’s desperate appeals. Within an hour, Evers drew his last breath.
Immediate Aftermath and National Response
America’s grief poured forth. The Masonic Temple overflowed as four thousand mourners paid their respects. Jackson’s streets filled with five thousand voices demanding justice, marching solemnly from the Temple to Collins Funeral Home. At Arlington National Cemetery, twenty-five thousand viewers lined the funeral procession, while two thousand gathered for the graveside farewell. President Kennedy welcomed Myrlie Evers and her children to the White House, showing personal support for the cause. The following year brought bittersweet victory when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act on July 2, 1964, realizing Kennedy’s promise of meaningful change.
The Long Road to Justice
Swift police work marked the hours after Medgar Evers’ murder. Investigators unearthed vital evidence just 150 feet from the crime scene – a rifle bearing telltale fingerprints. Military records pointed directly to Byron De La Beckwith.
Initial Investigation and Arrests
The case against Beckwith grew stronger with each piece of evidence:
- Clear fingerprints marked the rifle scope
- Multiple eyewitnesses spotted his car lurking near Evers’ home
- Local cab drivers recalled Beckwith’s questions about Evers’ address
Failed Trials of the 1960s
Mississippi prosecutors built their 1964 case on testimony from police officers and FBI specialists. Yet justice remained elusive as both trials ended with hung juries. Governor Ross Barnett’s courtroom handshake with Beckwith revealed the deep-rooted prejudice blocking justice.
Final Conviction Three Decades Later
Truth emerged in 1989 through documents exposing the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission’s illegal jury manipulation during earlier trials. Prosecutor Bobby DeLaughter joined forces with Myrlie Evers, determined to right this historic wrong. Their 1994 case presented both original evidence and powerful new testimony about Beckwith’s boastful admissions. Justice finally arrived on February 5, 1994, when twelve jurors – eight African Americans and four whites – spoke as one to convict Beckwith. Mississippi’s Supreme Court sealed his fate in 1997 with a life sentence.
A Family’s Continued Fight
Myrlie Evers-Williams stands sentinel at her husband’s Arlington National Cemetery grave, her spirit undiminished. Now 90, she speaks with quiet power about Medgar’s dream and their shared quest for justice.
Myrlie Evers’ Pursuit of Justice
Victory in 1994 opened new chapters in Myrlie Evers-Williams’ mission. Her leadership skills found fresh purpose at the NAACP’s helm, where she served as national chairperson from 1995 to 1998. Her steady hand guided the organization back to financial strength.
Charles Evers Carrying the Torch
Mississippi called Charles Evers home in 1963 to continue his brother’s mission. His World War II service as Battalion Sergeant Major in the Pacific theater shaped his unique approach to civil rights work. Personal courage and dedication earned him a place in history as Mississippi’s first African-American mayor in 1969.
Preserving Medgar’s Legacy
The Evers family built lasting monuments to honor Medgar’s sacrifice:
- The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute stands proud in Jackson, Mississippi
- The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument preserves their story
- Medgar Evers College empowers students in Brooklyn, New York
Today, daughter Reena Evers-Everette keeps her father’s flame burning bright for future generations. Artists celebrate his memory through powerful works like Bob Dylan’s “Only a Pawn in Their Game” and the compelling 1996 film “Ghosts of Mississippi”.
Conclusion
Madam CJ Walker’s path from personal hair struggles to becoming America’s first self-made female millionaire tells a powerful story of purpose-driven innovation. Her scientific wisdom brought effective solutions to African American hair care, while her business brilliance opened paths to financial freedom for countless Black women.
Success bloomed from the Walker System’s thoughtful design – natural ingredients worked in harmony with precise techniques and expert training. Her marketing touch sparkled through clever advertising, uplifting sales teams, and genuine stories that touched hearts and changed lives.
Walker’s wisdom echoes through generations. Modern beauty pioneers follow her focus on scalp health over hair straightening, her dedication to women’s economic power, and her blend of quality products with social purpose. Today’s MADAM by MCJW collection at Walmart carries forward her spirit, showing how contemporary brands can honor Black hair care while staying true to her values of access and empowerment.
Beyond building an empire, Walker sparked a movement that brightened both the beauty world and countless personal journeys through dignity and opportunity. Her legacy reminds us that life’s challenges often plant seeds for our greatest gifts to others.
References

QUICK FACTS

Thank you to the New York Tristate Owner and Operators Association for your continued support.