Highlighting History in May✨

The Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information highlights two events in May that were dedicated to commemorating the legacy and life of those who stood up for civil rights and social justice. | The Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information

By Faith Callens

Special to the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information

Throughout the month of May, Selma has observed several historical events honoring the legacy and life of those who stood up for civil rights and social justice.

On Thursday, May 7, The Walton Theater held a powerful Broadway performance of the New York musical, We Shall Someday that highlighted the 65th anniversary of the iconic freedom rides and more than 400 riders who fought continuously for their right to be free despite the challenges of segregation.

The stellar performance was brought to Selma by Foot Soldier Linda Holmes and her husband, Bruce Holmes, who previously saw the performance for themselves in New York City and decided to partner with the musical’s executive producer, Mandy Hackett, including the City of Selma Mayor Johnny Moss, III, and Selma Pastor John E. Grayson to bring such a powerful and moving performance to the residents of our queen city.

“There’s nothing like being here,” said Dorothy Walker, Moderator of the historical performance. “In this place, in Selma, in the State of Alabama and in the United States. But I will tell you like I used to tell people during tours who came to the museum that it takes on a new meaning, this place. When we are here with those who sacrifice so much for us to have this moment and to be where we are today, 65 years later. And so, in this moment, we want to honor them and their sacrifice, their courage to do what they did 65 years ago. To get on buses, trains and planes to come into the South or [travel] throughout the South.”

As the program went on, Walker had all the courageous freedom riders in the room and all participating civil activists back then to stand near their seats in the theater, so the audience could pay homage and tribute to them as well. Walker also recognized each freedom rider individually and told their story to the public of just how they made the courageous choice to become such a historical figure in the movement.

The first name she called was Mrs. Linda Holmes.

“Mrs. Linda Holmes, born and raised in Selma, Alabama,” Walker said. “Linda Dickerson Holmes lived in the George Washington Carver Homes Housing Project a.k.a GWC in apartment 528 D. This housing project is also known as the face of the Civil Rights Movement and she decided to join protest marches at the young age of 11.”

Walker continued by saying, “Her first steps into the movement were small and practical. It began at the Historic Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church, where Linda is still a member to this day. One day prior to entering the church, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke to Linda and he shook her hand.”

Walker said it was a moment Holmes never forgot throughout her life and she proceeded to say, “Linda was awarded the Foot Soldiers medal at the [2026] Foot Soldiers Breakfast by the late great civil rights activist Ms. Joanne Bland.”

Walker didn’t just stop there.

 She introduced Ms. Carol Ruth and told her story of only being 22 years old and that she worked as a clerk at the United Nations in New York City when she decided to join the freedom rides. She also introduced Freedom Rider Robert Cullen who was a sophomore at Tulane University and a member of the New Orleans Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality where he was one of the first graduates of the New Orleans Freedom Rider School.

Walker said the school trained activists to join the rides after riders were attacked in Montgomery.

Near the end of the historic event, there was a powerful panel discussion that consisted of Moss, Walker, Ruth, Grayson, Cullen and Holmes that led to the discussion of just how far Selma has come since the movement in 1965. The night ended in reflection, prayer and hope for the current generation of people to continue fighting just as the freedom riders did back then for the right to be free.

On Wednesday, May 13, the Historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma held its memorial tribute honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Bernard Layette, Jr. and the 63rd Observance of the Voting Rights Movement’s First Mass Meeting.

This historical event opened with songs from the Selma Foot Soldiers Singers to an opening word from the HTBC  Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Otis Dion Culliver and a scripture reading was provided by Foot Soldier Rev. Ocie Acoff.  There was also a moment of prayer provided by Foot Soldier Rev. Eddie Marshall and the ceremony’s greetings was provided by Selma’s Honorary Mayor Johnny Moss,III alongside several other elected officials including a representative from U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell’s office, Byron Evans.

“Today we gather, not just to remember a man but to honor a movement, a mission, and a legacy to help change America forever,” Moss said. “We are here today to pay tribute to Rev. Dr.Bernard Lafayette, Jr., a giant of the civil rights movement, a strategist of non-violence and a servant leader whose work helped shaped the course of history. Dr. Lafayette, Jr. stood the front lines doing one of the most defined periods in our nation’s history.”

As Mayor Moss went on, he reflected on the courageous efforts of Dr. Lafayette by saying, “he organized, he marched, and he taught the sacrifice because he believed ordinary people could create extraordinary change.”

Like Moss, there were several other reflections of Dr. Lafayette’s efforts from speakers such as Attorney Charles Bonner who spoke about the voting rights movement beginnings to Rev. Culliver’s own reflections on the behalf of HTBC to Mr. Charles Mauldin, the Student President of the Selma movement from 1963 to 1965, who shared his personal experiences knowing Dr. Lafayette and the mission he stood for as well.

There were also other reflections from Rev. Dr. Charles Steele, President Emeritus of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and Attorney Ainka Jackson,Executive Director for the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconcilation organization.

Not only did Jackson speak about Dr. Lafayette and his life but she had a mini-nonviolence teach-in session for the public that broke down the six principles of nonviolence and the six steps of Kingian Nonviolence that were used by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the marches and nonviolent campaigns for freedom.

The event ended in song by the Selma Foot Soldiers Singers and an another memorial tribute was provided by Honorary Alabama Senator Emeritus Hank Sanders and words of gratitude was given by the family of the late Rev. Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Jr.

These events that took place in the month of May were both significant and crucial to our Selma history and also our American history and we at the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information are proud to share two historical events in our community among many that have taken place this month.