I once heard a quote that said “Life is like a coin. You have only one life to live, so it’s up to you to spend your time wisely.” On Sunday October 6, 2013 several hundreds of guests gathered together at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel on the Morehouse College campus to celebrate the 92nd birthday of Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery a nationally well known civil rights legend. The special celebration entitled “I’ve Known Rivers” was a theatrical and musical production that was planned by his children and his late wife of almost 70 years Mrs. Evelyn Lowery (who recently passed Sept 26, 2013).
“Live, Laugh, Love!” The event was hosted by the famous and well known comedienne Chris Tucker who kept the audience laughing the entire evening. There were a host of celebrities apart of this special birthday tribute including Tyler Perry who was presented with the Joseph E. Lowery Agent Of Change Award. Jamie Foxx, Ann Nesby, Malcolm – Jamal Warner, Cassi Davis, Terri Vaughn, Kenny Leon and others all had a special place on the program for this wonderful theatrical and musical production that was tailored specially for Rev. Lowery. The grand event consisted of several video montages to display the works that Rev. and Mrs. Lowery had participated in over the years to see that justice was given to all mankind nationwide. There were numerous musical selections that were favorites of Rev. Lowery as well as poems, inspirational and liturgical readings and even a few modern dance selections.
Often times we wonder – what our purpose in life will be. Born in Huntsville, AL in 1921, Rev. Lowery discovered at an early age what his purpose in life was; which was to serve others by seeing that all mankind was treated fairly. Rev. Lowery is the father of 5 children preciously created with his late wife Evelyn Lowery. For nearly 60 years, he dedicated his life to promoting equality, liberty and justice for everyone. Rev. Lowery is well known as the “Dean of the Civil Rights Movement” and is the co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. His mission was to move people to stand up for social justice in a nonviolent way. Over the years, Rev. Lowery has received many awards and honors for his life long commitment to the nonviolent struggle for his fight for justice for all. On January 20, 2009 – he delivered the benediction at President Obama’s inauguration and on August 12, 2009 he received the nations highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2001 Rev. Lowery established the Joseph E. Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights at Clark Atlanta University. The mission for this institute is to empower, inspire and train current and future leaders to improve their communities, nationally and internationally…for the common good. The institute provides a forum for dialogue and a laboratory for analysis of issues in four program areas: Civil and Human Rights, including Political and Civic Participation, Racial Justice, Women and Children and Children Rights; Social Justice, including Economic, Environmental and Criminal Justice; Education, including literacy and the Digital Divide; and Community Health. The Executive Director is Cheryl Lowery. For more information about the institute or to make a donation, visit the website at www.loweryinstitute.org or contact them at 404-524-8406.
So we celebrate your birthday month with you Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery for your countless years of service, dedication and commitment. Your works that you’ve done have truly spoken for your life and the years that God has blessed you to serve on this earth.