ATLANTA – As actress, Cassi Davis, and journalist, Roland S. Martin, kept the program moving, civil rights pioneers Christine King Farris and Rev. C. T. Vivian, joined new-school leaders like Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, nearly 100 student Change Agents, and over 500 attendees to celebrate Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery’s 98^th birthday. Presented recently by the Joseph and Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights(Lowery Institute), the evening included performances by award-winning vocalists Regina Belle and Y’Anna Crawley.

“Many of the soldiers in the Civil Rights Movement who traveled with us on our journey to justice are no longer here,” Rev. Vivian noted in his moving remarks to Rev. Lowery. “It’s truly a privilege for me to be here to celebrate your birthday with you,” added the former lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Change Agents were excited to celebrate my dad’s birthday,” said Cheryl Lowery, president and CEO of the Lowery Institute. “They asked him what he wanted when they interviewed him for their weekly podcast. He said he wanted them to get people registered and make sure they vote. They decided to gather names from people across the country that wanted to sign a birthday card and also pledge to vote. They collected over 200 names from California to Africa.”

Known as the “Dean” of the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. Lowery assumed and executed a diverse series of roles over the span of his life: leader, pastor, servant, father, husband, freedom fighter and advocate. The close confidante to Dr. King played an integral role in the passing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and four decades later proudly delivered the benediction during President Obama’s Inauguration. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the nonviolent struggle for justice, human rights, economic equality, and voting rights.

The Lowery Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to training, developing, and empowering future leaders to improve their communities for the common good. Sponsors supporting Rev. Lowery’s birthday celebration and the institute’s year-round programming include: Delta Air Lines, Georgia Power, Georgia Pacific, AT&T, The Coca-Cola Company, William Josef Foundation, and Kroger. The daily digital news show, #RolandMartinUnfiltered, served as media sponsor and streamed live from the event on major social media platforms.

For more information or to donate the Lowery Institute visit www.loweryinstitute.org .

Civil Rights Leader, Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery issued the following statement on the passing of Aretha Franklin:

“I’m saddened to hear about the loss of our Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.  Aretha is a legend.  She not only provided the soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement, Aretha’s music transcended race, nationality, and religion and helped people from all backgrounds to recognize what they had in common.  

“In addition to having an extraordinary voice, Aretha was a kind and God-fearing woman who loved her family, friends, and community. My late wife and I were honored to have the icon come to Atlanta to sing for two benefit concerts for the Lowery Institute. I  remember her singing her heart out for my 88^th birthday celebration.  We will miss her strong voice and infectious spirit, but songs like RESPECT and Say A Little Prayer will continue to keep our nation focused on achieving the dream her father, Rev.  C. L. Franklin and others in the movement envisioned.

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Atlanta, GA – While President Barack Obama and Congresswoman Maxine Waters sent birthday greetings, Ambassador Andrew Young, Martin Luther King III and Dr. Martin L. King Jr’s sister, Dr. Christine King Farris were among celebrities and dignitaries on hand in Atlanta to acknowledge the 96th birthday of civil rights leader and former King confidant, Dr.  Joseph E. Lowery.

The historical evening was made most memorable when OWN’s “Greenleaf” star and singer Keith David; Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” star and vocalist, Cassandra “Cassi” Davis; and gospel superstar, Yolanda Adams, mesmerized the audience with a stellar musical tribute that encapsulated the life of the well-loved nonagenarian.  The Joseph and Evelyn Lowery Institute (Lowery Institute) hosted the gala which also featured Lowery Institute Change Agents packing the stage to honor the Dr. Lowery with raised fists and taking a knee.

Themed “Grounded in History: Soaring Towards The Future,” the Lowery Institute also awarded movie producer, Will Packer, attorney Angela Rye, and activist Rev. William Barber, for continuing the national dialogue in support of justice and human rights, and keeping the Lowery’s legacies alive as agents of change in their respective fields.

“The evening truly epitomized my dad’s life,” said Dr. Lowery’s daughter and president of the Lowery Institute, Cheryl Lowery. “People from all walks of life made it out to celebrate and producer, Kenneth Green, created an engaging musical experience, masterfully weaving elements of my mother and father’s work as agents of change juxtaposed with the Lowery Institute Change Agents who will continue to keep their legacy alive. He was able to tell their stories using all types of music from hip-hop to the Morehouse College Glee Club.”

Chronicling Dr. Lowery and his late wife, Dr. Evelyn Gibson’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement as well as the initiatives utilized by the Lowery Institute’s Change Agents to carry on the legacy, the tribute featured a medley of musical “moments” spread throughout the night that included topics like “Building A Legacy”, “Amazing Grace,” “A Change is Gonna Come,” “Make Them Hear You,” and “Am I Wrong.”

The opening “moment” of the homage, “They Will Remember You,” showcased a hip-hop violence and injustice performed by Salim Bakarisong of the same name detailing Rev. Lowery’s work to address racism, violence and injustice performed by Salim Bakari, Michael Nero and Sara Davenport. The song’s lyrics and music were composed by Jevares Myric and Ronve O’Daniel.

During Dr. Lowery’s standing-room-only after party, he commented on the current condition of black America telling Roland Martin,  host of TV One’s NewsOne Now, “There’s never been a time when we should be more united. Never been a time when we should be more together.  I appreciate the fact that so many Black folks are coming together expressing in their own way their determination to move forward.”

Presented by Delta Air Lines and The Coca-Cola Company, the bi-annual birthday celebration raises funds to support the work of the Lowery Institute, a non-profit organization established to ensure the continuity of Dr. Lowery and his late wife, Dr. Evelyn Gibson’s  lifelong commitment to non-violent advocacy.

Known as the “Dean” of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Lowery assumed and executed a diverse series of roles over the span of his seven decades: leader, pastor/preacher, servant, father, husband, freedom fighter and advocate. Two major milestones during his journey came in 2009 when he delivered the benediction during President Obama’s Inauguration and later that year when President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the nonviolent struggle for justice, human rights, economic equality, voting rights, peace and human dignity.