Medgar Evers College honors namesake with centennial gala and awards ceremony
By Kehinde Gaylor
Special to the Advocate
On October 23, 2025, the Medgar Wiley Evers Centennial Celebration Gala and Dinner was presented by Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY. The evening was filled with special guests, dignitaries, and alumni of the historic college.
Medgar Evers College president, Dr. Patricia Ramsey, stated: “The reflection on 100 years since the birth of Medgar Wiley Evers was a recommitment to the principles he embodied: courage in the face of adversity, compassion for our fellow human beings, and an unshakable belief in ‘with liberty and justice for all.’”
The evening was hosted by Emmy-Award winning reporter Phil Taitt. Among the honorees were former Congressman Edolphus Towns, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rabbi Rachel Tominer, Rev. Dr. Robert M. Waterman, and Chase Bank.
There was a surprise “Social Impact Award” given at the end of the program to Taiwo Gaynor, Chief Content Officer of the Mississippi Public Broadcasting, for his role in telling Medgar Wiley Evers’ life story.
During the evening, delicious food was accompanied by the showing of the 11-minute trailer of the Mississippi Public Broadcasting production of “Everlasting: The Life and Legacy of Medgar Evers.” The audience also was treated to jazz music and choreographed dance performances.
