Surrounded by nearly 500 of his friends and supporters, the Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery celebrated his 94th Birthday Tuesday night at the Delta Museum hosted by Delta Air Lines. Known as the “Dean of the Civil Rights Movement” Dr. Lowery’s career spans over eight decades as leader, preacher, pastor, father, husand, freedom fighter and advocate. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2009.
The celebration was also a fundraiser for the Jospeph and Evelyn Lowery Institute for Justice & Human Rights, a 501.c3 nonprofit organization established in October 2001 and housed in theThomas Cole Building at Clark Atlanta University. The Institute has a commitment to “the plight of freedom and justice for the common good of humanity”. Bishop Woodie W. White is Board Chairman and Lowery’s Daughter Cherly Lowery is Executive
Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama traveled from the nation’s capitol to accept the Joseph E. Lowery Institute Change Agent Award. The Morehouse College Glee Club sang “Glory” from the moie Selma and British Singer Estelle and Atlanta based singers Jennifer Holiday and Kathleen Bertrand also paid tribute to Dr. Lowery in song. Bertrand closed the program out with her rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday To You” as the birthday cake was rolled out.
A bountiful reception was held after the program with honey chicken and waffles, collared greens, pasta, salmon crochetes on the menu.
In addition to Delta, WSBTV 2, Coca-Cola, Georgia Pacific and Matlock Advertising and Public Relations were sponsors. Other supporters were The William Josef Foundation, Bank of America, First Tennessee Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, The Atlata Airport Marriott Gateway Hotel, The Atlanta B raes, Vicki & John Palmer and Macy’s.Kenneth Green was the producer.
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