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JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 23, 2022 — 51���� hosted its annual Black Heritage Month Celebration Feb. 17, sharing the story of four students at Lane College — the “Freshmen Four” — who organized sit-in protests at a “whites only” lunch counter in Jackson, Tenn.

Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver reminded the audience of the importance of recognizing that “there are heroes among us,” giving honor where honor is due.

Shirlene Mercer, the last living member of the Freshmen Four, received the Bastion of Freedom medal. In her speech, ending with a standing ovation from the audience, she recalled many core memories as a fighter for freedom during the civil rights movement.

“I could take people spitting on me because I would just take a piece of tissue, wipe it off and keep on going,” Mercer said. “A lady slapped me one time, and she said, ‘You can march all you want to, but you’re not ever going to get the chance to eat at the lunch counter.’”

Mercer was introduced by Union student and president of Union’s Black Student Union, Kamaria Transor, who called Mercer a noble participant of public service with a lengthy record as an activist fighting for civil rights. Mercer, a fervent believer of equality and the importance of lifting everyone’s voices, led weekly anti-crime marches across the city of Jackson for years, leading to significant change and awareness against neighborhood crime across Tennessee.

“We just went through so much,” Mercer said. “I didn’t ever think I’d see the day that things would be as they are now.”

Along with Mercer, the families of the remaining members of the Freshmen Four were awarded Bastion of Freedom medals.

The late Wesley C. McClure, president emeritus of Lane College, was honored by his wife, Mary McClure, and former student, Michael Jones.

“We’re not here tonight to take the glory from something that happened 62 years ago,” Mary McClure said. “But tonight, we are here to glorify God for instilling wisdom and courage in the hearts and minds of these young people that allowed them to stand up for freedom by sitting down at a Woolworth’s counter in Jackson, Tenn.”

Thanking the audience for keeping her husband’s legacy alive, Mary McClure said the Freshmen Four were messengers of hope and torch-lighters for freedom.

“We’re here tonight because you remembered,” Mary McClure said.

The late Ernest Brooks Sr., former president of Jackson-Madison County NAACP, was honored by his son, Ernest Thomas Brooks II, attorney and city councilman of Jackson, Tenn.

Brooks II said as they paused to recognize the leadership, service and sacrifice of his father, the civil rights movement and sit-in protests not only changed the city of Jackson but the entire South.

“Black history is Jackson history,” Brooks II said. “Jackson history is Tennessee history, and Tennessee history is United States history.”

Brooks Sr. engaged in a decades-long process of bringing equality to Jackson and Madison County through voting processes, governmental systems and educational opportunities.

The late Kimmie Powell Davis, a prominent philanthropist and pastor in West Tennessee, was honored by Barry Chaney, Davis’ successor as the pastor of New Life Christian Center, and Elder Elvis Hollis, Davis’s godson.

Davis was the founder of the West Tennessee Afro American Historical Museum and Mission House — now known as Area Relief Ministries — that feeds, houses and serves homeless citizens in the Jackson community.

The night concluded with vocal performances by 51���� Voices of Proclamation and Lane College Concert Choir and a recognition of thanks by Faith Zamamiri-Davis, associate professor of biology at 51����.

“For all of us at Union, I want us to remember the Freshmen Four and to know that they were four flesh-and-blood human beings — brothers and a sister — who stood for freedom at great cost to themselves,” Oliver said. “Let’s not just be satisfied for the progress that’s been made; let’s press on ever to achieve that which we are called to.”

The event was sponsored by the office of the president and the Great Commandment Collaborative.