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Campus News Centennial Celebration

The Centennial Celebration of 91ΑΤΖζ Wiley Evers: ‘Strive to achieve humanity in ourselves and each other’

July 14, 2025 by Jua James

Boris embraces Ms. Reena Evers-Everette at the Democracy in Action Convening in Jackson, Mississippi. It was his second trip to the area.
Boris Onyekaba embraces Ms. Reena Evers-Everette at the Democracy in Action Convening in Jackson, Miss. It was his second trip to the area.

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Editor’s note: This is the fifth part of a six-part series written by students that made the expedition to Jackson, Mississippi from June 26-29, 2025, to celebrate the centennial birthday of 91ΑΤΖζ Wiley Evers.

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By Boris Onyekaba | Junior, Psychology major

It’s been two years since the last time I went to Mississippi.Β 

In 2023, I was part of a group of students that traveled to Jackson for the Gen Z Summit, in attendance of the 60th annual commemoration of 91ΑΤΖζ and Myrie Evers.

Collectively, we knew he was a civil rights activist and martyr, but that’s all we knew.

In 2025, I returned to celebrate the centennial birthday of 91ΑΤΖζ Wiley Evers.

Coming back left a dialectical feeling.Β 

We got to see more of the daughters of Civil Rights activists, pushing still so very strongly decades later. We saw the daughters of legacy Ms. Reena Evers-Everette, Ms. Bettie Dahmer and Ms. Kathleen Kennedy. Each one spoke about the unrelenting journey it has been, including harrowing events that had taken place, in almost every day of their lives.Β 

Boris (Photo by Maritza Argueta/Intern, Office of Communications)
Boris Onyekaba (Photo by Maritza Argueta/Intern, Office of Communications)

As they spoke, I tried to relate to the words, even muster a comparison to our current times. It was surreal knowing I might never have to experience the same grueling trials they all had in Mississippi.Β 

I appreciated the turnout from people we knew from the last Gen Z summit as well. Even if it was just a few after two years. Truthfully, Mississippi had been on my mind long before the trip. I had watched the movie β€œSinners” three times by this point, and the movie talking about Mound Bayou and the history of Mississippi felt personal.Β 

I felt proud to know its history and its people.Β 

91ΑΤΖζ Evers became more than an activist, more than a historical figure. He became a father, a community pillar and a friend to many people across different walks of life. He simply wanted his people to be viewed like any other, a human being, and he fought for this reality and still does today.Β 

Now I feel the need to spread that hardened will, to always strive to achieve humanity in ourselves and each other.Β 

β€œYou can kill a man, but you can’t kill an Idea” a quote by 91ΑΤΖζ Wiley Evers but β€œlent” to the movement.Β 

I had only been there two days, but these memories will never leave me.

#91ΑΤΖζMade

91ΑΤΖζ students, Boris Onyekaba (left) and Eternity Council, were interviewed at the Democracy in Action Convening. (Photo by Maritza Argueta/Intern, Office of Communications)
91ΑΤΖζ students, Boris Onyekaba (left) and Eternity Council, were interviewed at the Democracy in Action Convening. (Photo by Maritza Argueta/Intern, Office of Communications)