Historic sign to honor the late James Charles Evers unveiled

An unveiling of a historic sign commemorating the life and legacy of the Late Honorable James Charles Evers was attended by many on the 100th day marking his birth, Sept. 11.

Congressman Bennie Thompson (2nd Congressional District), Mississippi Senator Sollie Norwood, Attorney Hiram Eastland, Rob Neal of The International Black Broadcasters Association, and Mayor Johnny Ford of the World Conference of Mayors, all shared heartfelt reflections on the significance of James Charles Evers’ legacy, and the risky moves he took in pursuit of his life-long commitment to the civil rights movement.

In 1963, James Charles Evers returned to Mississippi after the assassination of his beloved brother, civil rights activist Medgar Wiley Evers. He continued Medgar’s work as state field secretary for the NAACP’s Mississippi chapter and led many demonstrations for the rights of black people.

Family of the late James Charles Evers. (Credit: Jenny Woodruff)

He gained national fame in 1969 when he was elected as the first African American Mayor of a biracial town in Fayette, Mississippi since reconstruction. James Charles Evers was also an American civil rights activist, businessman, radio host, politician, general manager of WMPR 90.1 FM and the brother of the slain Civil Rights activist, Medgar Wiley Evers.

“Granddaddy had strong relationships that reached across racial and ethnic lines, and that was evident with the diverse turnout we experienced for this very special occasion. I was awestruck with the diverse generational turnout, we even had babies in the audience! That’s why this celebration was so important – to educate current and future generations regarding the impact James Charles Evers had on Mississippi, the United States, and the World. We must not forget our past,” said, Dr. Tonya Moore, granddaughter of the Late Honorable James Charles Evers.

Sponsored by The International Black Broadcasters Association, World Conference of Mayors and Hiram Eastland, Esq., the historic sign is located at the home of the Late James Charles Evers.