Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., veteran activist and pastor emeritus
of New Salem Baptist Church, continues to organize, now leading
volunteers to raise $250,000 to build a life-size bronze statue and
plaza dedicated to the life and work of Ida B. Wells. Dr. Gray confers
with Larry and Andrea Lugar of the Lugar Foundry in Eads.
The Lugars were commissioned to generate Ida B. Wells’ image
for the Beale Street statue. (Courtesy photo)