CHICAGO (WLS) — People gathered at the Emmett & Mamie Till-Mobley House Museum, Garden & Theater in Woodlawn ahead of the murdered teenager’s 82nd birthday.
“The fact that his legacy lives on. Yes, there was tragedy and now there is triumph,” reflected Naomi Davis, founder and CEO of Blacks in Green.
Line dancing, live entertainment and plenty of food were on the agenda on Sunday as people celebrated Till’s life.
“Everyone who was there at the time was touched by Emmett’s killing and it had a profound effect on everyone,” said Nuri Madina, director of Sustainable Square Mile.
Chicago-born Till was kidnapped and lynched at age 14 for allegedly insulting a white woman while visiting family in Mississippi.
His death sparked the civil rights movement. His life became an unforgettable life that is still revered today.
“There is a legacy of triumph in black America that needs to be remembered,” David said.
“We spent a lot of time with Mamie in the last three years of her life,” said Mike Small.
Mike Small says he was a close friend of Mamie Till-Mobley before she died…
“It’s about time they did things like this to give her and Emmett the credit they deserve,” Small said.
Raquel Bradford said she knew she had to bring her son.
“It’s very important. I want to be able to give him the history of different stories and things like our African American culture,” Bradford said.
As part of the celebrations, a new art installation by renowned artist Germane Barnes was also unveiled at the venue.
And new exterior renovations are coming soon to the Till House Museum to transform the landmark building into a heritage destination.
“There are four hammocks at the bottom that the public is allowed to interact with so that they too are part of the story because we never want that to happen again,” Barnes said.
“We have a choice,” Madina said. “We can carry our heartache and trauma through this event or redefine it as something that inspires us for the future.”
RELATED: Emmett Till Lynching: Biden erects national memorial honoring Chicago teenager in IL, MS
President Joe Biden is scheduled to do so on Tuesday Sign a landmark preservation proclamation associated with Emmett Till in Illinois and Mississippi.
Tuesday, July 25th is Till’s actual birthday.
Roberts Temple Church in Bronzeville, where Till’s funeral took place in 1955, is to be designated a national monument.
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