Civil Rights Activist Rodney L. Hurst Sr. and Congressman John Lewis (Image courtesy of Frank M. Powell)
The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Basis is main a year-long celebration to honor Rep. John Lewis. Friday, February 21 would have been the Civil Rights Icon / Congressman’s 85th Birthday. They’re kicking issues off with a #JohnLewisSelfie social media marketing campaign.
“Our aim is to carry to life John Lewis’ ardour for equality and societal change via peaceable, non-violent strategies,” stated Detria Everson, President and CEO of the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Basis. “We’re particularly thinking about serving to younger individuals develop the means to dwell knowledgeable, purposeful, fulfilling lives,” Everson added.
On February 21, the Basis is encouraging to share a photograph with John Lewis (or an image with certainly one of his books, a constructing, mural, avenue signal, and many others.) on social media with the hashtag #JohnLewisSelfie with some ideas on the that means of his legacy.
“It’s a liberal definition of the time period ‘selfie’,” stated Everson. “We need to make it as simple as attainable for individuals to take part.”
Congressman John Lewis and Proprietor and Writer of The Florida/Georgia Star Clara McLaughlin (Image courtesy of Frank M. Powell)
Virtually anybody who ever met the late Congressman John Lewis can attest to the truth that he by no means refused a handshake or an invite to take a photograph. His late spouse, Lillian, would inform buddies his affection for the general public would flip a half-hour procuring journey right into a half-day affair.
Share your put up on Instagram, Fb, LinkedIn, Twitter, Bluesky, and many others. utilizing the hashtag #JohnLewisSelfie. They’ll share as many posts as attainable on their social media channels and on their web site: jlmlf.org/johnlewisselfie. Try the web page for examples and inspiration from final 12 months.
The FLA/GA Star photographer Frank M. Powell, Congressman John Lewis and Former Congresswoman Corrine Brown (Image courtesy of Frank M. Powell)
As Congressman John Lewis neared the tip of his seventh decade of life, he started to contemplate what presents he needed to go away to the world. He tasked three of his and his spouse’s buddies with the task of launching what grew to become the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Basis. Integrated in 2017, the Basis has at its coronary heart and soul the spirits of John and Lillian Lewis and their ardour for studying, participating and dwelling God’s functions for one’s life.
Earlier this 12 months, they joined Minecraft Schooling within the relaunch of “Classes in Good Bother,” a good way for younger individuals to study Good Troublemakers all through historical past together with John Lewis, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Rosa Parks.
In March, there can be a commemoration on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama.
They’re additionally working with the Theatrical Outfit in Atlanta on the premiere of an excellent hip hop musical, YOUNG JOHN LEWIS, in June.
Different occasions can be introduced all year long enabling JLMLF to proceed the work of preserving Congressman Lewis’s legacy and dedication to democracy and passing on his philosophy of service and civic engagement to the subsequent era. This can embody fellowships, scholarships and different methods to honor his legacy.
One of many signature tasks they’re engaged on is the digitization of his Congressional Archives, with the aim of creating them obtainable to college students of historical past, admirers of Congressman Lewis and most people for generations to return.
Please ensure that to tag The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Basis in your posts on
Fb | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Bluesky.
Extra info is obtainable on their web site, jlmlf.org. You may contact them at data@jlmlf.org