THE MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE INVITES YOU TO EXPERIENCE A LIFE-CHANGING
ROAD TRIP AND BECOME A PART OF THE MODERN-DAY CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.
October 15-18
P.O. Box 1023, Jackson, MS 39215-1023
The Mississippi Center for Justice is a nonprofit public
interest law firm committed to advancing racial and
economic justice. Our campaigns span disaster recovery,
educational opportunity, affordable housing, healthcare
and fair lending. The Great Mississippi Road Trip is an
opportunity to share the latest on the Center’s work
and connect our supporters with trailblazers of the civil
rights movement who will provide first-hand accounts
of their battle for equality. We believe understanding our
past is crucial to changing our future.
(left) The Civil Rights Wade-In in Biloxi. June 1963. Photo showing wade-in
protestors leaving the beach. Photo courtesy of Mr. Leo Russell.
Thursday, October 15
Join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Cruise the beachfront highway beneath canopies of ancient live oaks and see
storm-damaged trees that were turned into sculptures. Retrace the historic
civil rights wade-ins on the Biloxi beach and hear how they led to the first
desegregation of a Mississippi public school. Step onto back bay shrimp boat
docks to learn how Vietnamese American fisher folk have clung to survival
after Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil disaster. Sail past Deer Island on a
turn-of-the-century schooner and enjoy a bayou fiesta with famous local
seafood and irresistible music. Reserve your seat today.
Kick off your weekend by joining us at the 2015 Champions of Justice Dinner in Jackson,
where social justice advocates from across the state gather to honor inspiring Mississippians
who have made great strides in advancing justice. Make your travel plans to arrive in Jackson
in time for the 6 p.m. reception and dinner at the Jackson Convention Complex.
Friday, October 16 & Saturday, October 17
The Great Mississippi Road Trip begins with a visit to the Medgar Evers Home to learn about the
iconic activist who was a founder of the civil rights movement. As we head south through the
piney woods, we will stop in Hattiesburg to pay tribute to voting rights leader Vernon Dahmer, and
see where the Center’s founder started her work in civil legal aid. Along the Gulf Coast, we will
weave the early civil rights confrontations into our current work in disaster recovery and educational opportunity. We will also visit a stunning beachfront museum designed by Frank Gehry in
tribute to the Mad Potter of Biloxi and cruise the Mississippi Sound on an historic sailing schooner.
Sunday, October 18
Enjoy a morning stroll along the beach and take in a few more delightful sights along the
Gulf Coast before we return to Jackson for flights departing at 3 p.m. or later.
OHR-O’KEEFE MUSEUM
HATTIESBURG
TURKEY CREEK
South Mississippi pioneers share memories and relics
from the civil rights movement at our founder’s first law
offices, the “cradle” of the Mississippi Center for Justice.
See the award-winning environmental justice
documentary “Come Hell or High Water:
The Battle for Turkey Creek” and hear about an MCJ
client’s heroic challenge to preserve homeland settled
by his emancipated slave ancestors.
CIVIL RIGHTS WADE-IN
Unique beachfront museum designed by Frank Gehry
nestled in ancient live oaks featuring eccentric genius
potter and African American art.
Wade in the waters with the original participants on the beach
in front of the Biloxi lighthouse and learn about the protests for
equality that took place more than 50 years ago.
KATRINA TOUR
Trace the difficult path to
equitable recovery by
crossing the tracks to the
good samaritan’s house
whose story unlocked
a $172 million settlement.
ROAD TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
ACCOMMODATIONS
Please make your hotel reservations
by September 16, 2015 to receive the
Mississippi Center for Justice group rate
MEDGAR EVERS HOME
THE DOCKS
Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum
The Great Mississippi Road Trip starts at
the home of Medgar Evers with an insider
account of a pivotal moment in the civil
rights movement.
Thursday, October 15
Hilton Garden Inn – Downtown Jackson
Phone: 877.782.9444
Group Rate: from $119
Friday, October 16-Sunday, October 18
White House Hotel – Biloxi
Phone: 228.233.1230
Group Rate: from $128
BILOXI SCHOONER CRUISE
Come aboard a turn of the century fishing
schooner for a sail in the Mississippi Sound
past Deer Island.
Hear the incredible story of how Vietnamese American
fisher folk fought back from our nation’s worst natural
and man-made disasters.
Early Bird Registration: July 31, 2015
Final Registration: August 28, 2015
Register by July 31 to pay only $450 per person, a $50 savings per person!
August 1 and after, pay only $500 per person!
PRICE INCLUDES:
Champions of Justice Dinner ticket
Travel for the weekend on the Deluxe Great Mississippi Road Trip Bus
Admission to all sites
Guided tour at all historical stops
Lunch, refreshments and dinner on Friday, October 16
Breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday, October 17
Breakfast and lunch on Sunday, October 18
TO RESERVE YOUR SEATS:
Visit us online at mscenterforjustice.org and click “Donate” or contact
Lauren Welford Childers at 601.709.0859 or [email protected]
Please make checks payable to:
Mississippi Center for Justice, P.O. Box 1023, Jackson, MS 39215-1023
SEAFOOD FIESTA
Enjoy jambalaya and crawfish pie on
the bayou and dance under the oaks to
the tunes of amazing local musicians.
REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE
WHITE HOUSE HOTEL
Located on the beach in Biloxi, the
White House is an historic hotel dating
back to the 1890’s. Recently renovated,
Southern Living magazine declares it one
of the South’s best new hotels.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
Make your own travel arrangements to arrive in Jackson by
6 p.m. Thursday, October 15 for the Champions of Justice Dinner
at the Jackson Convention Complex. The bus will return to Jackson
Sunday, October 18 for flights departing at 3 p.m. or later.