Some 10 years after his death, former Prime Minister, Michael Manley will create history when he will be the first Jamaican leader to be inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, on Saturday, January 12.
Mr. Manley's induction, part of the annual Trumpet Awards, will take place at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, following a ceremony at the landmark Ebenezer Baptist Church. He will be inducted alongside such American civil rights icons, as poet Maya Angelou; singer/dancer Sammy Davis, Jr.; activist, Benjamin Hooks; radio host, Tom Joyner; and Martin Luther King's attorney, Clarence B. Jones.
The annual Trumpet Awards programme, which begins on Thursday, January 9, culminates on Sunday, January 13, with the presentation of the awards at the Atlanta Civic Centre. Inaugurated in 1993, the Trumpet Awards honour African American achievers in many different fields of endeavour, including law, business, medicine, politics, entertainment and public service.
Glynne Manley, widow of Mr. Manley will attend the ceremonies in Atlanta and unveil Mr. Manley's footprints on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame. Prime Minister from 1972 to 1980 and from 1989 to 1992, the late former Prime Minister was also a Vice President of Socialist International and a recognized voice for a new international economic order and for civil rights.
Mr. Manley's footprints will join others from previous years, including former US Presidents, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Lyndon B. Johnson; current Atlanta Mayor, Shirley Franklin and former mayors, Andrew Young and the late Maynard Jackson; the late former Bahamian Prime Minister, Lynden Pindling; Harry Belafonte, Stevie Wonder, Sidney Poitier, Lena Horne, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dick Gregory, Julian Bond, Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks, and Thurgood Marshall.
According to the Trumpet Award Foundation's Executive Director, Xernona Clayton, Michael Manley was selected for induction based not only on the outstanding contribution he made during his life, but also because of his powerful enduring legacy in civil rights. He was a prominent voice in raising international awareness about the great civil rights issues that continue to resonate around the world.
The International Civil Rights Walk of Fame was created five years ago as an added feature of the Trumpet Awards, and recognises those who have sacrificed and struggled to make equality a reality for all. The Civil Rights Walk of Fame display has become one of Atlanta's most visited tourist attractions.
