Honor Gray by supporting the Tuskegee History Center

With the draping of the iconic blue ribbon and prestigious medal around his neck, Fred D. Gray's name is now etched into American history books as a 2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.

On July 7, the East Room of the White House erupted into applause and tears of joy filled so many live streaming viewers from around the country as President Biden praised Gray and awarded him the Nation's highest civilian honor, a recognition that many had long-championed for Gray to receive.

“One of the most important civil rights lawyers in our history, Fred’s legal brilliance and strategy desegregated schools and secured the right to vote,” Biden said.

Gray was one of seventeen named a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient this year. Other recipients include fellow civil rights activist Diane Nash.

As the nation pauses to celebrate this historic moment in time, we salute Board Chairman and President Fred D. Gray for this esteemed honor and thank him for the historic work that he has made his life's mission, including here at the Tuskegee History Center, also known as the Tuskegee Human and Civil Rights Multicultural Center.
Photo Credit: Instagram / Roland Martin
Pictured: Board Member Cal Walker, Board Member Fred Gray, Jr., and Tuskegee History Center Volunteer Rev. Claude Oliver
National Bar Association Celebration
Following the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House, the National Bar Association held a President's Dinner in Washington, D.C. honoring Gray, who served as president of the organization in 1985. Gray was also the first Black president of the Alabama Bar Association. Many supporters, colleagues, family members and Tuskegee History Center board members were in attendance for the celebration.
Honoring the Life's Works of Fred D. Gray
Herman Shaw, right, speaks as President Bill Clinton looks on during 1997 ceremony
Photo Credit: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
It was just 25 years ago that Gray visited the White House, but for a much different occasion. On May 16, 1997, President Bill Clinton stood in the same room, the East Room, and issued a formal apology for the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in front of Gray's clients, the survivors of the Study. The Tuskegee History Center, which Gray helped establish, continues to stand as the permanent memorial to the 623 men in the Study.

As his formal legal career comes to an end, it is expected that Gray will continue to devote time and energy to working to make the future of the Center an emerging place for local and national dialogue on race. As the wounds of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study still have not yet healed, nor has many America's unresolved matters revolving around race, it is evident that the Center's existence and mission to educate, uplift and inspire current and future generations is now more important than ever.

With great responsibility comes great obstacles, as the lingering impact of the pandemic remains and has crippled non-profit organizations across the nation. As Gray leads the Board and Center personnel, he has expressed concern about its future. 

"If people really want to help us, help us keep that museum open," Gray told The Christian Chronicle.
Help Keep the Center's Doors Open
3 Ways to Support:
#1: ONLINE
#2: TEXT

Using your mobile phone, text the keyword "TUSKEGEE" to 844-970-1881
#3: MAIL

Tuskegee History Center
P.O. Box 830768
104 S. Elm Street
Tuskegee, AL 36083 
104 S. Elm Street
Tuskegee, AL 36083
(334) 724-0800

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