The National Civil Rights Museum announced that Jordan Brand, made famous by NBA Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Michael Jordan and Nike, will be the sponsor of this year’s 2024 Freedom Award. Award-winning filmmaker Spike Lee is this year’s honoree.
The National Civil Rights Museum, located at the historic Lorraine Motel where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, offers a sweeping overview of the American Civil Rights Movement from slavery to the present.
Lee, most remembered for movies such as “Do the Right Thing,” “White Man Can’t Jump,” “He Got Game” and “Malcolm X,” is not a stranger to Jordan Brand. Lee is behind the memorable Air Jordan marketing campaign aptly titled “Is it the shoes?”
President of Jordan Brand Sarah Mensah thinks Lee is a worthy candidate of this year’s honors.
“Spike is an integral member of the Jordan Family and someone who, like Michael and the Jordan Brand, represents greatness and inspires others to [do] the same,” Mensah said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with this esteemed institution to recognize and celebrate his work and contributions.
Since its opening in 1991, the museum has welcomed millions of visitors from around the world, including over 90,000 students annually. The Museum’s mission is to honor and preserve the site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s assassination while chronicling the American civil rights movement and inspiring action to create positive social change.
Museum president Dr. Russ Wigginton also spoke about the upcoming awards.
“One of the museum’s key pillars include economic empowerment, which is an issue Jordan Brand is impacting throw a number of community initiatives,” Wigginton said in a statement. “This announcement is timely as we observe Black Philanthropy Month. Our partnership with Jordan Brand proves that representation matters as we explore how benevolent business and corporate responsibility manifests in our society. Doing good is also good for business.”
Xernona Clayton and Sherrilyn Ifill join Lee as Freedom Award honorees. Trailblazing rapper MC Lyte hosts this year’s Freedom Award, and Grammy-nominated recording artist Deborah Cox provides entertainment.
The Freedom Award presentation will take place on Oct.17 at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN. The Pre-Award Gala begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Halloran Centre. The Award ceremony begins at 7 p.m.
For more information, tickets and updates, visit freedomaward.org.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news from Noral, visit our archives.
