Alabama State University News February 5, 2015 ASU Joins Local Officials to Announce 50th Anniversary March Commemoration Plans "In about 720 hours ... which is really about 30 days, we will have the eyes of the world right here on Montgomery and Selma, Alabama," said Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange as he opened a news conference held at the City of St. Jude in Montgomery today. The news conference was held to provide an update on plans for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. ASU President Gwendolyn E. Boyd joined with Mayor Strange and other commemoration leaders in announcing specific community events that have been planned to recognize the historic anniversary. Boyd announced that tickets will go on sale Friday, Feb. 6 for one of the major commemoration events, the 50th Anniversary Concert, featuring Patti LaBelle, which will be held on March 7 in the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. "As the mayor mentioned, those who are a part of (the Faith and Politics Institute) will also be there with us," Boyd said. "And we are excited to announce that we will present to Congressman John Lewis, during the concert, the first ever John Lewis Freedom Award, which will acknowledge his courage, his resourcefulness, his quest for freedom and equal justice under the law for all people. We are truly honored to be able to honor him for the work he has done and for his passionate, continuous display of the fight for freedom and justice throughout his term in Congress." The news conference also included remarks from state and community leaders, including state Sen. Quinton Ross and Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton N. Dean, both of whom are Alabama State University alumni. Ross is coordinating the Dream Marchers Educational Tour, during which more than 200 young people will take part in a five-day tour starting in Tuskegee and continuing to Selma. The young people will participate in sessions focusing on topics ranging from lesser known civil rights figures to conflict resolution and the importance of voting. The students also will participate in the re-enactment of the Selma to Montgomery March and have what Ross calls "the experience of a lifetime during the week of Spring Break." "This is an awesome teaching moment for young people," Ross said. "Youth were a major part of this movement; and our young people have to understand the power that they have in order...to change the world. I want to thank Dr. (Howard) Robinson and thank Dr. (Janice) Franklin and (ASU's) National Center for helping us with this (educational) effort." Strange also announced that Dr. Tommie Stewart, dean of ASU's College of Visual and Performing Arts, has been selected to coordinate the program that will take place on the steps of the state Capitol building at the end of the reenactment of the march. The Rev. Dr. Bernice King will reenact her father's "How Long, Not Long" speech during the event. "We hope to make a lasting impression, especially on our young people when they reach the Capitol steps," Stewart said . "We want them to see how we can pull together, walk together and lock arms together. We have to make a lasting impression, because Montgomery, Alabama is the Cradle of Change, the Cradle of the Movement ... so on that 50th anniversary day, we want to leave a lasting impression of love, hope, peace and of leadership." Others who spoke about commemorative events included Margaret Allen, Montgomery Public Schools superintendent; Cromwell Handy, pastor of Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church; Maureen Costello, director of Teaching Tolerance at the Southern Poverty Law Center; Anita Archie, the coordinator for the city-sponsored commemorative events; and Douglas Watson, executive director of the City of St. Jude. Watson said that the Memorial Gardens and the St. Jude Museum are nearing completion. St. Jude was the site of the historic "Celebration of Stars" that was held the night prior to the original marchers' completion of their trek to the state Capitol. "Back in 1965, we (St. Jude) had about 25,000 people marching from this location to the state capitol," Watson said. "We are very humbled and blessed that we were able to serve our community." Additional Announcements * Tickets for the Patti LaBelle concert are $35 in advance and $45 the day of the show. Tickets are available through ticketreturn.com or by calling the ASU ticket office at 334-229-4551. * Mayor Strange announced that the Tom Joyner Morning Show will broadcast live during the commemoration. * Superintendent Allen announced that the Harlem Globetrotters will perform during the "I Am More Than" celebration sponsored by Carver High School on March 6. For the complete schedule of community events being held in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, visit dreammarcheson.com<http://dreammarcheson.com/#Home>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.