A night to remember as a few hundred guests, historians and community members celebrated what would have been Benjamin Hooks 100th birthday.
The event was sponsored by the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Thursday’s event featured several guests including members of the Hooks family, David Russomano–the Vice Provost of the University of Memphis, Antonio Avant of Omega Psi Phi, Rodney Echols of Middle Baptist Church, Daphne McFarrin–the executive producer of the Ben Hooks documentary Duty of the Hour, and Paul Young–the Mayor of Memphis.
Clarence Hill who attended the event for his fraternity, said Hooks history connects through everyone in Memphis.
“He is a native Memphian– for what he stood for he is like a cornerstone for civil rights and humanity as a whole,” said Clarence Hill of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. “He ended up doing what was right for everyone–regardless of race or creed.”
Jesse Curry had a personal connection with Benjamin Hooks. Curry said Hooks grandson crossed the same year as him into Omega Psi Phi.
“Just the name recognition and all that Benjamin Hooks has done in the world means so much,” Curry said. “From a global perspective, he was a pioneer for justice. As far as Memphis is concerned he was a pastor. He provided many things for the community. I think for Memphis he is a great name and great recognition and a pioneer for the area. His legacy still resides in him today with his son and grandson. They are still pioneers doing things, making things happen, and making things grow, and working in the community. His legacy lives on and I think that is a powerful testament to him.”
Curtis Odom said Hooks inspired so many people to become better in life than where they are now.
“Professionally that is how I live my life,” Odom said. ”He was an advocate for not only black people but for all people and that is who we strive to be like. He started and maintained a legacy that is still relevant today. It is a movement on how we as a people should conduct ourselves today.”
The event featured four speakers: Russamano, Avant, McFarrin, and Echols. Then a special screening of Duty of the Hour played for the audience. The two hour film had many memorable moments. Some moments include Hooks' grandmother Julia Hooks fighting for equal rights alongside Ida B. Wells in the beginning of Jim Crow.
An interesting part of the film showed a drive from Somerville, TN to Memphis. This is when Hooks and his associate were shot at through the windshield of their car. The documentary also highlighted Hooks as a judge, pastor, speaker, FCC leader, NAACP leader, and a major factor in the Civil Rights movement.
Daphne McFarrin the executive producer of the film knows the importance of this film and why the fight for Civil RIghts continues.
“It’s important to understand this period of time in history,” McFarrin said. “It's important to understand why people like Benjamin Hooks and other civil rights activists who fought for a more just nation. It's important for the public to understand why the Hooks institute exists and what we do and why we do it.”
McFarrin also wanted people to know why Hooks sacrificed so much so that people of color could have opportunities whatever their interest.
“How students, women students, students of different ethnic groups and white students can enjoy and understand the diversity of Tennessee and the nation, " McFarrin said. “The film showed that it was not easy to achieve these things–but he and other civil rights leaders struggled for a more just nation.”
The night concluded with a birthday song to Hooks and the Omega men strolling to honor their civil rights brother. This event was the first of many Black History Month events in February for the University of Memphis.
