The National Civil Rights Museum has announced the honorees for its 34th annual Freedom Award, the institution’s signature event recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to civil and human rights.
The 2025 Freedom Award will honor three distinguished leaders:
- Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, for transforming the historic civil rights organization with a focus on economic empowerment, education and criminal justice reform.
- Velma Lois Jones, a lifelong Memphian, pioneering educator and civil rights leader. Jones broke barriers as the first classroom teacher elected president of both the Memphis Education Association and the Tennessee Education Association, and she was also the first woman to lead the NAACP Memphis Branch.
- Mark Suzman, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, who has built global partnerships to advance health, education and opportunity, drawing on lessons from his upbringing in apartheid South Africa and his career with the United Nations.
The Freedom Award ceremony will take place Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. The evening will begin with a pre-award gala and red carpet at 5:30 p.m. outside the Halloran Centre and will feature a special performance by Memphis native and acclaimed vocalist Wendy Moten.
In addition to the evening program, the Freedom Award Student Forum will be held that morning at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. The forum engages middle school, high school and college students from across the nation in discussions about leadership and positive social change. The event will also include the presentation of the Keeper of the Dream Award, recognizing outstanding young leaders.
Now in its 34th year, the Freedom Award continues to shine a spotlight on the power of truth, equity and justice — values that remain vital in today’s climate.
