The National Civil Rights Museum celebrated its 33rd annual Freedom Award on Thursday night at the Orpheum Theatre, honoring three extraordinary individuals whose lives and work have profoundly impacted the fight for civil and human rights.
Civil rights pioneer Xernona Clayton, renowned civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill, and legendary filmmaker Spike Lee were recognized for their unwavering commitment to justice and equity.
The night was filled with celebration as rapper and cultural icon MC Lyte hosted the event, and award-winning singer Deborah Cox delivered a stirring performance.
The red carpet was bustling with energy as attendees arrived in style, including actor and comedian Chris Tucker, who came to support Clayton, one of his close mentors.
“I’m one of her adopted sons,” Tucker shared. “Ms. Xernona Clayton is such an icon and a legend in her own right, and I came down here to be a part of her celebration. Just to learn from the legends and icons like Ms. Xernona Clayton—who was right beside Dr. Martin Luther King and the movement—it rubs off on me, and I pass it to the next generation.”
At 93 years old, Xernona Clayton remains a force of nature, reflecting on her lifetime of activism and media work with humility and grace. When asked about what message she wanted to share with the audience that evening, Clayton kept it simple yet powerful:
“If you got it, use it. If you don’t, get it!” Her words, a reflection of her relentless drive, reminded the audience of the perseverance that defined her career as a trailblazer in civil rights and broadcasting.
The evening’s honorees represented the breadth of activism and storytelling that has shaped civil rights movements across generations. Sherrilyn Ifill, honored for her fearless leadership at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, was recognized for her work combatting voter suppression and racial injustice, while Spike Lee was lauded for using his platform to bring attention to African American stories and social justice issues through film.
Speaking to media on the red carpet, Spike Lee reflected on his connection to Memphis and the legacy of Dr. King. “Memphis is a Black city… these are my folks, these are my people,” Lee said.
He also spoke of the responsibility to continue the work of civil rights leaders like King and Malcolm X. “We have a lot of work to do. A lot of people get it twisted, but Dr. King and Malcolm saw that they were addressing the same problems—not just in the U.S., but globally. And when the powers that be saw them getting together, you know what happened.”
Lee, who has always been vocal about using his art to elevate conversations on race and culture, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “Some of my biggest blessings have been when I didn’t know they were coming. It’s like, boom, thank you, God.”
During the ceremony, Sherrilyn Ifill delivered a powerful message about the ongoing fight for justice.
“We know that the lives many of us live would not have been possible but for the sacrifices of those who came before us,” Ifill said. “Our job is to pay it forward, to make sure that our grandkids and great-grandkids will look back and see what we did for them. We cannot afford to leave power on the table.”
Her message was clear: the fight for civil rights extends far beyond voting. “We need power across the spectrum—to educate our children, to ensure we have a just criminal legal system, to seize economic opportunity. And yes, that includes voting, but it’s about so much more than that. Leave no power on the table.”
Russ Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum, also reflected on the significance of the Freedom Award during a red carpet interview. “We’ve got unbelievable recipients this year,” Wigginton said. “The energy of Memphis, the energy of this country’s human rights, is on display right here at the Orpheum Theatre. We’re here to honor the past, but also to inspire the next generation to continue the fight for justice.”
In addition to the main ceremony, the museum hosted the Freedom Award Student Forum earlier in the day, engaging students from across the country with civil rights leaders in a dialogue about the ongoing struggle.
