Gloria Dickerson, CEO of We2gether Creating Change founded the Emmett Till Academy in Drew, MS—the same place where Emmett Till was murdered, with the vision to educate and empower future generations. At We2gether, we inspire and teach the youth of the Emmett Till Academy to ignite their passion for change through civil rights laws and policies. The Academy takes students on field trips, invites motivational speakers, and hosts classes designed to educate, enrich, and inspire them.
In a world marked by political unrest and racial inequality, it's crucial to encourage our youth to step into leadership roles as community activists. “Say Their Name” is more than a hashtag—it’s a powerful call for justice, a voice against injustice, and a reminder of the work that still needs to be done.
Our mission at the Emmett Till Academy is to cultivate young leaders and equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to advocate for justice, equality, and lasting change.
Historical Exploration and Field Trips
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Students visit significant civil rights sites across the Mississippi Delta, throughout Mississippi, and into Memphis to deepen their understanding of the broader impact of Emmett Till’s murder and the Civil Rights Movement. These experiences allow students to connect past struggles to present-day racial issues.
Creative Arts Programming
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Through artistic expression, students engage in activities that connect historical events to their personal experiences and collective identity. This creative approach helps them explore civil rights history and racial justice through a more personal and expressive lens.
Service and Advocacy Projects
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Students participate in hands-on community service projects that tie into the issues they study, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. These projects provide practical experience in advocating for social justice and racial equity.
About the Emmett Till Academy
The Emmett Till Academy's mission is to educate students about the civil rights movement and racial justice today, with a particular focus on the Mississippi Delta and the broader U.S. Through engaging educational activities, field trips, and service learning, students will explore and begin to understand the profound legacy of Emmett Till’s murder in Sunflower County.
Rev. Jesse Jackson called Emmett Till “the big bang of the Civil Rights Movement.” At just 14 years old, Till was brutally murdered in a barn in Sunflower County, Mississippi, in 1955. His body was discovered three days later in the Tallahatchie River. While Tallahatchie County now has markers commemorating this pivotal event, Sunflower County remains without any formal acknowledgment of its role—a silence maintained by white supremacy and false narratives created by those responsible.
The creation of the Emmett Till Academy is a vital step in reclaiming Sunflower County's place in the Emmett Till story, initiating a local truth-telling process similar to what was done in Tallahatchie County over a decade ago.
The need for the Academy is clear. With 34% of Sunflower County residents living at or below the poverty line, and 74% of the population being African American, there is a pressing need for educational programs grounded in local history, African American history, and racial equity. The Emmett Till Academy seeks to fill this gap by providing students with a transformative educational experience that connects the historical struggles for civil rights with contemporary racial justice issues, empowering them to carry forward the legacy of advocacy and change.