medgar evers 50th anniversary celebration sponsorship

MEDGAR EVERS: AMERICAN HEROHonor his life. Live his legacy.

In 2013, the world will join together to commemorate

the life and legacy of Medgar Wiley Evers, civil rights

visionary. Fifty years after his assassination, we will

honor his pioneering endeavors for civil rights, civic

engagement, and social justice.

Los Angeles Times Photographic Archives (Collection Number 1429). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

REMEMBERING MEDGAR EVERS

In 1954, Medgar Evers became the first NAACP Field Secretary in Mississippi.

With foresight and strategic tactics, he forcefully spoke out against injustice

and organized voter registrations, determined to ensure that Black voices

were heard in the political process. He investigated hate crimes perpetrated

against Blacks and revealed those crimes for the world to bear witness to as he

spearheaded demonstrations and boycotts against businesses that practiced racial

discrimination. Medgar Evers filed lawsuits and led initiatives to break down

barriers of segregation. This began in 1954 with his application to the University

of Mississippi (Ole Miss) School of Law, which was denied. In 1962, he would

assist James Meredith in his successful attempt to integrate Ole Miss.

These and other courageous acts tragically led to his assassination on June 12, 1963, in Jackson, Mississippi.

Medgar Evers’s death lit the fire of determination, which inspired others to carry on his work so that racial

injustice would end. This act of ultimate sacrifice galvanized President John F. Kennedy to push Congress for a

comprehensive Civil Rights Bill. The passage of both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of

1965 was heavily influenced by Medgar’s life and death.

Medgar Evers’s contributions have been honored in many public ways. In Jackson, Mississippi, the downtown

post office building, a public library, a major thoroughfare, and the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International

Airport all proudly bear his name. Medgar Evers College, part of the City College of New York college

system, salutes his life and work. A humanitarian ship in the U.S. Navy was christened USNS Medgar Evers in

2011, the first vessel to be named for a civil rights activist.

“Although great strides in the field of human relations have been made,we cannot let up now .”

–Medgar Evers, April 20, 1961

“If we work with sufficient dedication, we will be able to achieve, in the

not too distant future, a society in which no one is discriminated against on

the basis of his race, his religion or his national origin. Our faith is invested

in a law that is over and above man-made laws. We are dedicated to the

cause of freedom and will continue to fight under God’s law, without fear of

consequence.” –Medgar Evers, May 31, 1959

MEDGAR & MYRLIE EVERS INSTITUTE

Determined that her husband be remembered, Myrlie Evers founded the Medgar Evers Institute in Oregon

in 1998. Its mission is to cultivate positive social change, intergenerational civic engagement, social and

economic justice, and equality through multimedia education, research, and service worldwide.

Recognizing the international leadership role of Myrlie Evers in advancing the cause of human rights, the

Medgar Evers Institute’s board of directors changed the organization’s name to the Medgar & Myrlie Evers

Institute and moved its home base from Oregon to Mississippi in 2012.

In recent years, the Medgar Evers Institute has collaborated with the William Winter Institute for Racial

Reconciliation to host an annual Summer Youth Institute, bringing together rising high school sophomores and

juniors to provide training in leadership, community building, and civil rights history.

THE INVITATION

Medgar Evers’s courage, integrity, and perseverance have forever left their

mark on humanity, and today the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute is focused on

ensuring that we move forward to “Honor His Life and Live His Legacy” with the

Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Medgar Evers’s assassination.

The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute is spearheading the coordination of numerous

events being held the first two weeks of June 2013, in Washington, D.C., and

Jackson, Mississippi. The Institute is working in collaboration with museums,

universities, foundations, national organizations, and institutions throughout the

world. This celebration will help us reflect and refocus on Medgar’s passion for

humanity as well as his vision and mission of equality for all.

“You can kill a man, but you can’t kill an idea.”

-Myrlie Evers

In order to achieve the expectations for the 50th Anniversary

Commemoration, the Institute seeks to raise funds dedicated to the

production of the Commemoration and further work to honor the life

and legacy of Medgar Evers, for as we look back, we also look

toward the future.

We invite you to join us with your participation in these historic events

during such a pivotal year in our country’s history and embrace with

us the important work yet to be done. Your generosity, sponsorship,

and financial support will help ensure that the brave actions of

Medgar and others alike will not be forgotten and not be in vain.

We appreciate your consideration to become one of our partners

and sponsors of these events. They will present a great opportunity

for you and your organization to demonstrate your commitment

to justice and equality worldwide. The Institute depends on the

passion, commitment, and resources of people who believe in this

mission.

Help us make this Medgar Evers 50th Anniversary Commemoration

an occasion that will truly “Honor His Life and Live His Legacy.”

We thank you in advance for your support.

“I love the land of my birth. I do not mean just America as a country, but Mississippi, the state in which I was born... I have hopes of the future when we will not have to hang our heads

in shame or hold our breath when the name Mississippi is mentioned, fearing the worst.

But, instead, we will be anticipating the best.” –Medgar Evers, February 10, 1963

COMMEMORATION SCHEDULE OF EVENTSSponsored by the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute (Current as of March 1, 2013, the schedule is continually updated.)

WA S H I N G T O N , D . C .

Wednesday, June 5, 2013Memorial Service

Arlington National Cemetery

The Legacy of Medgar Evers Symposium The Newseum

J A C K S O N , M I S S I S S I P P I

Monday and Tuesday, June 10-11, 2013Where Medgar Walked

Tours of Historic Civil Rights Sites Throughout City of Jackson

Civil Rights Film Festival Davis Planetarium

Tuesday, June 11, 2013Day of Commitment

Youth Congress: Dedicated to the Cause of Freedom Cabot Lodge Millsaps

Wednesday, June 12, 2013International Day of Remembrance

10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Celebration on the GreenMusic, Art, Food Festival and Literacy Fair

Reflections and Book Signingsby Historians and Authors

Exhibits by Sponsors Art Garden, Mississippi Museum of Art

12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Memorial and Praise in Word and Song

Tolling of Bells Art Garden, Mississippi Museum of Art

6:00 pm Chairman’s Reception

Jackson Convention Complex

7:30 pm

Tribute GalaJackson Convention Complex

MEDGAR EVERS: AMERICAN HEROHonor his life. Live his legacy.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS

Gifts in any amount to the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute, a charitable non-profit organization with Section

501(c)(3) IRS designation, are sincerely welcomed and are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Your contributions make it possible for many of the events to be available at a low or no admission cost.

Donors may contribute for a variety of purposes: – Help underwrite a specific event, in whole or in part, such as the Tribute Gala, Chairman’s Reception, Film Festival,

Civil Rights Sites Tours, or the Day of Remembrance Festival/Celebration on the Green. – Make an undesignated gift for the Commemoration – Make an undesignated gift for the on-going work of the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute – Become a Headline Sponsor

Please call the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute at (800) 599 - 0650 or email us at [email protected] for more information.

PRESENTING LEGACY SPONSOR – $75,000 & up

Two tables for ten (10) with premier positioning and table signage

at the Tribute Gala

Ten (10) tickets to the Chairman’s (Mrs. Myrlie Evers) Reception

Prominent Advertisement in the Tribute Gala Souvenir Book

Organization representative to bring greetings during the Tribute Gala

Logo and Listing in Tribute Gala Souvenir Book

Special 50th Anniversary Commemorative Souvenir of Remembrance

Sponsorship Award at the Tribute Gala

Private Photo opportunity with Mrs. Myrlie Evers and special dignitaries

Reserved seating for six (6) at all events

Logo prominently displayed during Tribute Gala

Logo and acknowledgement in press materials

Complimentary exhibit space

Recognition on the MMEI website

Link to Corporate Sponsor website from MMEI website

Reserved Parking at Tribute Gala

VISIONARY SPONSOR – $50,000-$74,999One table for ten (10) with premier positioning and table signage

at the Tribute Gala

Eight (8) tickets to the Chairman’s Reception

Prominent Advertisement in the Tribute Gala Souvenir Book

Logo and Listing in Tribute Souvenir Book

Special 50th Anniversary Commemorative Souvenir of Remembrance

Sponsorship Award at Tribute Gala

Private Photo opportunity with Mrs. Myrlie Evers and special dignitaries

Reserved seating for four (4) at all events

Special recognition from the podium during Gala

Logo to appear in Commemorative materials

Logo prominently displayed during Tribute Gala

Complimentary exhibit space


Link to Corporate Sponsor website from MMEI website

Reserved Parking at Tribute Gala

JUSTICE SPONSOR – $35,000-$49,999

One table for ten (10) with premier positioning and table signage

at the Tribute Gala

Six (6) tickets to the Chairman’s Reception

Full-page advertisement in the Tribute Gala Souvenir Book


Sponsorship Award at Tribute Gala

Reserved seating for three (3) at all events

Logo Prominently displayed during the Tribute Gala

Complimentary exhibit space during the community event


FREEDOM SPONSOR – $25,000-$34,999Six (6) tickets to the Tribute Gala

Four (4) tickets to the Chairman’s Reception

Reserved seating for two (2) at all events


Half-page advertisement in Tribute Gala Souvenir Book

HERITAGE SPONSOR – $10,000-$24,999Four (4) tickets to the Tribute Gala

Two (2) tickets to the Chairman’s Reception



Half-page advertisement in Tribute Gala Souvenir Book

CHAMPION SPONSOR – $5,000-$9,999

(2) tickets to the Tribute Gala

One ticket to the Chairman’s Reception


AMBASSADOR SPONSOR – $1,000-$4,999Name listed in Tribute Gala Souvenir Book

Two (2) tickets to Tribute Gala

COMMUNITY SPONSOR – $500-$999For non-profit, faith-based, and individual sponsors

Name listed in Tribute Gala Souvenir Book

TRIBUTE GALACHAIRMAN’S RECEPTION – $25,000

One Table for ten (10) at the Tribute Gala

Ten (10) tickets to the Chairman’s Reception



Company Representative to bring greetings during reception

Half-page color advertisement in Tribute Gala Souvenir Book

Individual Tickets for the Black-Tie Tribute Gala - $100

Please note that Headline Sponsorships include Gala tickets.

Please complete the Ticket and Sponsorship Commitment Form. If you have any questions or need more

information, please feel free to contact us at (800) 599-0650 or email us at [email protected]

“Let men of good will and understanding change the old order, for this

is a new day.” –Medgar Evers, April 20, 1961

MEDGAR & MYRLIE EVERS INSTITUTE

Myrlie Evers, Chairman

Reena Evers - Everette, Executive Director

P. O. Box 13222Jackson, MS 39236

[email protected]

(800) 599 - 0650

www.eversinstitute.org

The Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute is a not-for-profit charitable corporation.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law

under the IRS Code Section 501(c)(3).

Please indicate the level of sponsorship for your company:

Presenting Legacy Sponsor $75,000 and up Visionary Sponsor $50,000-$74,999 Justice Sponsor $35,000-$49,999 Freedom Sponsor $25,000-$34,999 Heritage Sponsor $10,000-$24,999 Champion Sponsor $5,000-$9,999 Ambassador Sponsor $1,000-$4,999 Community Sponsor $500-$999 (For non-profit, faith-based and individual sponsors)

Tribute Gala Chairman’s Reception $25,000 I wish to make a gift in the amount of:

I wish my gift to be used to support the following: Tribute Gala Memorial Service at Arlington Cemetery Film Festival Civil Rights Sites Tours Day of Remembrance Festival On-going work of the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute Other: Undesignated I wish to purchase ticket(s) for the Black-Tie Tribute Gala @ $100 each (Please note that Headline Sponsorships include Gala tickets.)

Amount enclosed for Tribute Gala tickets:

SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT:

MEDGAR EVERS 50TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION

TICKET AND SPONSORSHIP COMMITMENT FORM

COMPANY/INDIVIDUAL NAME

CONTACT

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP CODE

CONTACT NUMBER

ALTERNATE CONTACT NUMBER

EMAIL

Make check payable to: Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute.Total amount enclosed:

Tax-deductible donations may be made on the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute website: eversinstitute.org

Sponsors’ press-ready advertising must be sent electronically no later than April 15, 2013, to the following email address: [email protected]

Please send the completed commitment form and check to:

Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute Post Office Box 13222Jackson, MS 39236

If you have questions or need more information, please feel free to contact us at (800) 599 - 0650.

medgar evers 50th anniversary celebration sponsorship

Documents