For three decades, the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change has been at the forefront of advancing equity, education and opportunity in Memphis. On April 10, that legacy will take center stage as the Institute celebrates its 30th Anniversary with the “30 Years and Still Rising: Pillars of Progress Gala.”
Set for 6 p.m. at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center (3800 Central Ave.) on the campus of the University of Memphis, the evening will bring together community leaders, advocates and supporters for a night of reflection, recognition and renewed commitment to social change. The event will include a cocktail reception, awards presentation and live music.
Since its founding, the Hooks Institute has transformed bold ideas into meaningful action, supporting initiatives that keep children safe, expand academic and economic access, and preserve the history and legacy of the Civil Rights Movement through education, research and the arts.
Current Institute programs, like Hooks Academic Achievement and Mentoring Initiative (HAAMI) and A Seat at the Table (ASATT), focus on supporting and developing students. The institute also recently released its tenth edition of the Hooks Policy Papers, which were created with input from UofM’s School of Nursing and the UT Health Science Center, and findings presented from an NIH-funded grant on breast health in segregated communities in Memphis.
Additionally, the Fayette County Civils Rights Movement history is preserved through the work the institute does, which is near and dear to the heart of its executive director, Daphene McFerren, as her family was integral in the movement.
Proceeds from the gala will directly support the Institute’s programs, which are funded largely through donations and grants. Organizers note that demand for these initiatives, from community outreach to research and public policy engagement, continues to expand.
A highlight of the evening will be the recognition of this year’s “Pillars of Progress,” individuals and institutions whose work reflects a deep and sustained commitment to Memphis.
Among the honorees are the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, recognized for its dedication to community-centered exhibitions and cultural engagement, and the Tri-State Defender, long regarded as a leading voice documenting and sharing a dialogue of African American life in Memphis since 1951. The Tri-State Defender will celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.
“The Tri-State Defender and the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art are being honored as Pillars of Progress because of their institutional efforts to amplify diverse voices in Memphis,” said McFerren. “From 1951 to the present, the Tri-State Defender has focused on publishing articles that show the depth of the lived cultural and economic experiences of the African American community in Memphis.
“The Memphis Brooks Museum of Art has made a concerted effort to showcase art that resonates with diverse audiences, thereby helping to create a community unified in its cultural exploration of the arts,” McFerren stated.
For Diedre Malone, vice president of the Tri-State Defender, the recognition is both humbling and deeply meaningful.
“This honor is a reflection of the legacy and responsibility we carry as storytellers in this community,” Malone said. “The Tri-State Defender has always been more than a newspaper; it’s been a voice for the people, a champion for justice, and a preserver of our history. To be recognized alongside such impactful leaders and institutions affirms the importance of that work and challenges us to keep pushing forward.”
Also being honored is Johnnie Turner, a fearless 1960s-era civil rights activist, educator and former state representative for District 85, and Jocelyn Wurzburg, who co-founded the Panel of American Women following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. to promote healing and racial unity in the city.
“These women are being honored because of their significant contributions to creating a more inclusive community through their civil rights activism,” said McFerren. “Johnnie Turner and Jocelyn Wurzburg are models of how we might work together today to resolve differences and inequities in Memphis and beyond.”
Together, all of these honorees represent the spirit of progress that has defined both the institute’s mission and Memphis itself.
The program will also include a retrospective look at the Institute’s 30-year impact, featuring archival footage of its namesake, Benjamin L. Hooks, whose leadership and vision continue to guide its work.
From reducing childhood drowning deaths to advancing student success and elevating local artists, the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change’s efforts have left a lasting imprint on the city, connecting research to real-world outcomes and strengthening the fabric of the community.
Organizers invite the public to be part of this milestone celebration on April 10. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are available here.
