Civil Rights Walk Of Fame New Home At Civil & Human Rights Center

A major ceremony marking the move of the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame from the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site to its new home at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights near the Centennial Olympic Park area will welcome dignitaries, elected officials, and honorees on Thursday, May 16 at 8:30 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

"I'm excited that now the 3 million visitors will view the footprints of people whose lives have made a difference in the world," said Xernona Clayton, founder of the Trumpet Awards Foundation and creator of the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.

The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at the National Center For Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Blvd NW, Atlanta 30313. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased in advance by contacting at the Trumpet Foundation Office at 404-878-6738 or 678-296-3920. Tickets will also be available the morning of the ceremony.

A duplicate of the footprints of fifteen past honorees currently located at the King Site will be placed at the new location and four new honorees will be added. The honorees will stand in their footprints during the ceremony. Kathleen Bertrand will sing "Order My Steps".

Honorees:
Jan Prisby Bryson, President, Benchmark Management LLC
Thomas W.Dortch Jr., Chairman of the 100 Black Men of America Inc.
Monica Kaufman Pearson, long time WSB TV 2 News anchor and current radio and tv host
Sir Franklyn R. Wilson, Bahamian Businessman and Chairman of Sunshine Holdings Limited

Previous Honorees:
Mayor Ivan Allen
Arthur M. Blank
President Bill Clinton
Mayor Shirley Franklin
Mayor Maynard H. Jackson
Congressman Hank Johnson
President Lyndon B. Johnson
Congressman John R. Lewis
Mayor Sam Massell
Michael McMillan
Herman J. Russell
Ted Turner
Rev. C. T. Vivian
Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock
Ambassador Andrew J. Young

The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame was created in September of 2004 by Xernona Clayton and an organizing committee and originally housed on the National Park Service Martin Luther King Historic site on Auburn Avenue.
The purpose of the Walk of Fame is to establish a permanent tribute to the brave warriors of justice who sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all. The mission is to create a lasting memorial to those whose contributions were testaments to the fact that human progress is not automatic nor inevitable. To enhance the historical value of the area, enrich cultural heritage and augment tourist attractions.