 to support its mission […] "'Pin It")
Nissan Honors Black History Month With Donation to Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute
February, as you probably know, is Black History Month in the United States. This country still wrestles with the legacy of its divided past and the racism we are still trying to squash. This month, Nissan announced that it would be donating $25,000 to the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute (MMEI) to support its mission of historic preservation, scholarship, and civil rights advocacy.
The name Medgar Evers should sound familiar to you if you grew up in the United States and learned about the civil rights period. In life, he was known as a World War II veteran who came home and eventually became the first National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) field secretary in the South. During his tenure, he organized voter drives, helped integrate the University of Mississippi, and helped lead the NAACP’s investigation into the infamous death of Emmitt Till. After numerous death threats and vandalism at his home, Mr. Evers was murdered in 1963 following a meeting at a church. His wife led the charge to find her husband’s killer for more than 30 years, and also continued his civil rights legacy, becoming the chairperson of the NAACP in her own right.
Nissan’s contribution, attributed to its Canton, Mississippi assembly plant, follows on the heels of the automaker’s partnership with local organizations to provide a free screening of the Oscar-nominated Hidden Figures to about 200 local girls.
“We are extremely grateful to Nissan for their continued support of the Institute’s missions,” said Myrlie Evers in her role as chairman of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute. “The work we do in building bridges of understanding and empowering our communities aligns with the spirit of Nissan’s work. We are fortunate to have them as neighbors in our community.”
We wish MMEI well, and we hope that the contribution helps it continue its good work in the community.
History Source: The History Channel
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.