2023 Events
Upcoming Events
Stay tuned for news and updates on upcoming Hooks Institute events! Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise stated.
Past Events
April 18
2023 Hooks Institute Donor Appreciation Reception
Maxine A. Smith University Center, University of Memphis
499 University Street, Memphis, TN 38152.
April 18, 2023 | 6 pm
A reception was hosted by the Hooks advisory board and staff and University of Memphis students enrolled in Hooks Institute programs for academic, personal, and professional success. Guests enjoyed food, music and entertaining presentations on how the work of the Hooks Institute impacts the lives of those seeking to realize their own potential and that of their communities.
April 3
Community Conversation with Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke from the U.S. Department of Justice
University of Memphis, Maxine A. Smith University Center, University Center Theater
499 University Street, Memphis, TN 38152.
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis hosted a community conversation on April 3 at 6 PM with Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke from the U.S. Department of Justice at the University Center Theatre at the University of Memphis. Clarke's work includes upholding civil and constitutional rights for all Americans, addressing hate crimes, voting rights, police department policies, and discrimination in employment and LGBTQIA+ rights.
February 28
Daphene McFerren, Keynote Adress to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Hooks Institute Executive Director R. Daphene McFerren provided virtual keynote addresses to attorneys at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (Washington, D.C.).
February 25
Book Signing with Robert Hamburger, Author of Our Portion of Hell: Fayette County, Tennessee: An Oral History of the Struggle for
Civil Rights
Location & Time
Sat., Feb. 25, 2 PM
Fayette County Public Schools Central Administration Building 10425 Hwy 76 S. Somerville,
TN, 38068
About the Event
Book Signing with Robert Hamburger and Presentations from Robert Hamburger and Daphene McFerren, Hooks Institute executive director and daughter of Fayette County Civil Rights Activists John and Viola McFerren, will speak at the event.
Activists from the Fayette County Civil Rights Movement will also attend.
About Our Portion of Hell: Fayette County, Tennessee: An Oral History of the Struggle for Civil Rights
Recently released by the University of Mississippi Press for its second edition, Our Portion of Hell: Fayette County, Tennessee: An Oral History of the Struggle for Civil Rights offers an unrivalled account of how the rural Black community of Fayette County, Tennessee drew together to combat the immense forces aligned against them in the late 1950s-1970s. Author Robert Hamburger first visited Fayette County as part of a student civil rights project in 1965 and, in 1971, set out to document the history of the grassroots movement there.
Visit the event page through the button below for more information!
February 23
Tennessee General Assembly Honors Fayette County Activists and the University of Memphis
Hooks Institute with Resolution
The Tennessee General Assembly recently passed a resolution to honor the activists from the Fayette County Movement and the documentary, website and exhibitions created by the University of Memphis Hooks Institute to preserve and analyze the history of this movement.
Senator Lamar London (Dist. 33, Shelby Co.) and Senator Page Walley (Dist. 26, includes Fayette Co.) sponsored the resolution. Before the General Assembly voted on the Resolution, Hooks Institute Executive Director Daphene R. McFerren made brief remarks on the critical importance of preserving this historical work to help ensure equity and social justice for future generations. Her remarks received a standing ovation from the General Assembly.
The Hooks Institute extends its sincere gratitude to Senators Lamar and Walley for introducing the resolution, and to the Tennessee General Assembly for passing the resolution without opposition.
The text of the resolution can be read here: capitol.tn.gov/Bills/113/Bill/SR0033.pdf.
February 21
Daphene McFerren Keynote Address at the U.S. Department of Justice
Hooks Institute Executive Director R. Daphene McFerren provided virtual keynote addresses to attorneys and staff from the U.S. Department of Justice (Washington, D.C. and regional offices) on how the history of the nation and Memphis continues to shape contemporary racial, economic and other disparities of today.
February 4
Screening of "Facing Down Storms: Memphis and the Making of Ida B. Wells" at the Literature
is Liberating Festival, Crosstown Concourse
Sat. Feb. 4 | 1:30 pm, Crosstown Concourse Theater
A screening of the Hooks Institute's documentary film on Ida B. Wells, "Facing Down Storms: Memphis and the Making of Ida B. Wells" at Crosstown as part of the Crosstown Arts Liturature is Liberating Festival. Daphene McFerren spoke on the legacy of Ida B. Wells and the making of the documentary.
February 3
Screening of Hooks Documentaries at Trezevant Manor
Fri. Feb. 3 | Trezevant Manor, Memphis
Screening of Hooks Institute Documentaries "The Civil Rights Movement: A Cultural Revolution" and " Reflections of Maxine Smith | Martin Luther King Jr's College Years and Assassination" as part of Trezevant Manor's African American History Month celebrations"