The National Civil Rights Museum recently announced their list of honorees for this year’s Freedom Award.
A press release announced that director Spike Lee, President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund Sherrilyn Ifill, and civil rights leader Xernona Clayton will reportedly receive the Freedom Award.
Lee was reportedly chosen for his history with the Jordan Brand, the award sponsor. The brand featured heavily in his 1986 directorial “Do the Right Thing,” which was followed by a marketing campaign for the Air Jordan III. For the ad, Lee played the role of his character in the film.
Overall, the Freedom Award also celebrates the icon’s achievements, in particular when it comes to civil rights.
The legendary director will be awarded alongside Clayton and Ifill in a ceremony hosted by rap pioneer MC Lyte. Grammy-nominated Deborah Cox will also be part of the celebrations scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, TN.
“Spike is an integral member of the Jordan Family and someone who, like Michael and the Jordan Brand, represents greatness and inspires others to the same,” said the President of the Jordan Brand, Sarah Mensah, per a press release. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with this esteemed institution to recognize and celebrate his work and contributions.”
Throughout his career, Lee has been heralded for films such as “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcom X,” exploring themes such as race relations and other political issues. For his work, he’s been awarded with an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmys, an Honorary BAFTA Award and an Academy Honorary Award.
THE NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM ANNOUNCES JORDAN BRAND AS 2024 FREEDOM AWARD PRESENTING SPONSOR, HONORING SPIKE LEE – Yahoo Finance https://t.co/Q5M2yP98OH
— Museums Update (@MuseumsUpdate) September 3, 2024
Lee has also been associated with a wide range of philanthropy. Most recently, the renowned director helped launch the Spike Fellows program. Through the initiative, HBCU students are given opportunities to get their start in the filmmaking world through internships at his agency’s office.
After the internship, they are given the chance to decide which office and department they’d like to join where their internship becomes a full-time job. The fellows are also given approximately $25,000 in funds for student debt relief.
“We want this thing to be a legacy,” said Lee per an interview with Johnson Lowe Gallery. “Far too often, we, as a people dealing in film and television, it is my opinion that we focus too much in front of the camera and being in the spotlight, but in all honesty, there’s more longevity behind the camera, and you have a lot more creative control behind the camera.”
