The Outcast Voters League and the Birmingham Metro Branch NAACP are hosting several events to celebrate the birthday and contributions of civil rights icon Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth March 18-22, including an awards ceremony with an appearance by actor Richard Roundtree.
The theme for this year’s observance is “Fighting Breast Cancer Like Fred Shuttlesworth Fought Segregation.” Roundtree, an advocate for civil rights and human rights, is a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in 1993. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 2,360 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2014 and that about 430 men will die from the disease.
“We are pleased that Mr. Roundtree is coming to Birmingham for this commemoration of the birthday of man led by God to bring change to our city,” said Frank Matthews, founder of the Outcast Voters League. “Mr. Roundtree’s speech during the Flame Awards Dinner will be the highlight of the week.”
Admission is free to the dinner, set for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 22 at the Boutwell Auditorium in downtown Birmingham. However, reservations must be made through Matthews at frankmatthewstc@yahoo.com.
Other events during the week include the laying of a wreath and ringing of bells on 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 18 at the statue of Rev. Shuttlesworth in front of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Also on Tuesday, there will be a Youth Birthday Rally and Celebration at noon at John Herbert Phillips Academy. The guest speaker for that event will be Mr. Steven Green, president of the Morehouse College Student Government Association in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Rev. Shuttlesworth always sought to inspire the youth. We know that Mr. Green will have an enlightening presentation for the students at Phillips Academy,” said Hezekiah Jackson, president of the Birmingham Metro Branch NAACP.
Wednesday’s commemoration event will take place at churches throughout Birmingham, Matthews said. Churches will be asked to remember Rev. Shuttleworth and pray for peace during their regular Wednesday night prayer services and Bible study, Matthews said.
On Friday at 6 p.m., the original movie “Shaft” will be shown at the Carver Theatre Jazz Hall of Fame. Vignettes from the life of Rev. Shuttlesworth also will be shown and there will be a discussion following the video presentations. This event also is free and open to the public. Roundtree will speak at the 7 p.m. dinner on Saturday, March 22 at the Boutwell.
Also during the dinner, the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth Flame Awards will be presented to 12 individuals whose lives in some way exemplify the fire and energy Rev. Shuttlesworth ignited in people in Birmingham and around the country during the height of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, Matthews said.
The honorees are: former Judge Phillip Bahakel, Jefferson County Commissioner Sandra Little Brown, Birmingham businessman and former NFL star Gary Burley, Madison County Commissioner Robert Harrison, Jefferson County Tax Assessor Gaynell Hendricks, community activist Adolphus Johnson, community activist Big Walter Wilson, civic leader Clarence Mohammed, Birmingham Mayor’s Office Chief of Operations Jarvis Patton, voting rights activist and Selma attorney Faya Ora Rose Tour (Rose Sanders), Jefferson County Tax Collector J.T. Smallwood, and former Birmingham News assistant Metro Editor, Sherrel Stewart.
To reserve your space at the Awards Ceremony, please contact Frank Matthews at frankmatthewstc@yahoo.com.
