Special to The Truth
The National Civil Rights Museum is proud to announce the distinguished honorees for the 34th Freedom Award, recognizing their exceptional contributions to civil and human rights. The Museum’s signature event, the Freedom Award, pays tribute to individuals who have shown unwavering commitment to advancing truth, equity, and justice in a time when those values are under threat.
The esteemed 2025 Freedom Award honorees are:
MARC MORIAL – As President and CEO of the National Urban League since
2003, Marc Morial has transformed the 100-plus-year-old civil rights
organization with a renewed focus on economic empowerment, education, and
criminal justice reform. His leadership has expanded opportunities for
underserved communities and solidified the Urban League’s position as one
of the nation’s most influential civil rights organizations.
VELMA LOIS JONES – A lifelong Memphian, trailblazing educator, civil
rights leader, and community advocate, Velma Lois Jones’ service has
shaped generations. She made history as the first classroom teacher elected
president of both the Memphis Education Association and the Tennessee
Education Association, where she served as the longest-tenured president in
the organization’s history. She is the first woman elected president of
the NAACP Memphis Branch and served with distinction internationally and
regionally with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
MARK SUZMAN – CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mark Suzman has
dedicated his life to addressing injustice and inequality worldwide. From
his upbringing in apartheid South Africa to his work with the United
Nations and the Gates Foundation, he has built global partnerships to
advance health, education, and economic opportunity for all.
The 34th Freedom Award ceremony will be held Thursday, October 16, 2025, at
7:00 p.m. Central at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN. The
evening begins with the Pre-Award Gala and Red Carpet at 5:30 p.m. on Main
Street in front of the adjacent Halloran Centre.
This year’s event will feature a special performance by Wendy Moten, the
acclaimed vocalist and Memphis native celebrated for her powerhouse
performances on NBC’s “The Voice” and international music stages.
The celebration extends beyond the evening program with the Freedom Award
Student Forum on the morning of October 16. At Mississippi Boulevard
Christian Church, the inspiring event that engages middle school, high
school and college students nationwide both in person and virtually to
explore their role in creating positive social change. The Keeper of the
Dream Award will also honor outstanding youth leaders already making a
difference in their communities.
The presenting sponsor for this year’s Freedom Award is FedEx with
signature sponsors including the Hyde Family Foundation and Nike.
Sponsorship offers unique opportunities for businesses and organizations to
align with one of the most respected civil and human rights events in the
world. Sponsors receive premium event access, brand visibility, and the
chance to be part of an inspiring global platform that celebrates
leadership and justice.
The NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM, located at the historic Lorraine Motel
where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated,
gives a comprehensive overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from
slavery to the present. Since the Museum opened in 1991, millions of
visitors from around the world have come annually. The Museum is steadfast
in its mission to honor and preserve the site of Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr.’s assassination. It chronicles the American civil rights movement
and tell the story of the ongoing struggle for human rights, serving as a
catalyst to inspire action to create positive social change. A Smithsonian
Affiliate and an internationally acclaimed cultural institution, the Museum
is recognized as a 2019 National Medal Award recipient by the Institute of
Museums and Library Services (IMLS), the top national honor for museums and
libraries.