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OUR WHY
August 2025 marked the 70th anniversary of Emmett Till’s murder — and Mamie Till-Mobley’s courageous act that changed the world.
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At just 14 years old, Emmett Till was murdered in Mississippi because of the color of his skin and the false racial codes that governed the Jim Crow South. In the face of unimaginable grief, his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, made a brave and world-changing decision: she opened her son’s casket and insisted that the world see what had been done to him.
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Her act of truth-telling exposed the brutality of racism to a global audience and helped spark the modern Civil Rights Movement. Seventy years later, the Emmett Till Interpretive Center continues her work — preserving this history, uplifting community voices, and transforming sites of pain into spaces for truth and repair.
The barn where Emmett was tortured.
The river where Emmett's body was recovered.
The courthouse where Emmett's killers walked free.
OUR PROGRESS
We are proud to share that this year we:
• Brought our traveling exhibit to three sites, reaching over 17,000 visitors,
• Hosted 22 speaking engagements,
• Participated in eight media features, and
• Welcomed more than 1,700 visitors year-to-date at the Emmett Till Interpretive Center.
Each of these was an opportunity to share Emmett’s story, celebrate progress, and remind us of the importance of not repeating the mistakes of the past. While these are meaningful accomplishments, we recognize that our work is far from over. We are committed to continuing our efforts, forging new partnerships, and expanding our reach so that Emmett’s legacy endures and inspires meaningful change.
ETIC staff speak as part of MDAH's History Is Lunch lecture series.
Visitors explore the Let the World See exhibit.
The fourth annual memorial service at the barn.
OUR NEED
To maintain this momentum into the new year, we need your support more than ever!
In honor of Emmett’s memory and the anniversary of his death, we invite our partners and supporters to consider a donation of $70 to this year’s campaign. We are seeking to raise $50,000 to enhance our programs, expand our resources, and ensure the continued growth of our museum. Your generous contribution will play a vital role in achieving these objectives and will make you an essential partner in preserving our shared history.
Please help us keep Emmett’s story alive by donating $70 today! Thank you for helping us honor Emmett’s legacy and continue the vital work of racial healing.