An 85th Birthday Commemoration
EMMETT TILL
The Pursuit of Happiness: An American Reckoning
The month of July 2026 marks a historic moment. A powerful moment. A coming-together moment. The Commemoration of the 85th Birthday of Emmett Till. The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. One month. One message. Once challenge.
What are we to make of this moment? The right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. An “unalienable right”. An equal right. For everyone. A promise yet to be fulfilled.
The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute is taking the month of July 2026 to ask to answer the compelling questions of the moment as we stand on the cusp of a new demographic reality when there no longer will be a racial or ethnic majority in America. Reviewing where we have been, to understand where we are, to clarify where we need to go. Together.
Emmett Till challenges us to reclaim our power, to live a virtuous life and flourish.
About
The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, a non-profit organization, is engaged in education, research and social justice advocacy. We are dedicated to preserving the memory and historical significance of the life and death of Emmett Louis Till, and preserving the social action legacy of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, to foster educational opportunities and civic engagement among youth. Our focus is on funding research, education and public programs aimed at encouraging enlightened participation in the democratic process and working to build and maintain a civil society.
"Let the people see what they did to my boy." - Mrs. Mamie Till-Mobley
"Let the people see what they did to my boy." - Mrs. Mamie Till-Mobley
Mission
The mission of the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute is to promote the memory of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley through the advocacy of social and legal justice with programmatic initiatives in education, public discourse and public policy initiatives.
Values
We believe that a truly democratic society requires multiple perspectives, social equity, and equal justice that is only possible through the encouragement of inclusive public engagement and media literacy.
Vision
We embrace the ideals of a multicultural democracy, one established on the basis of shared values, critical discourse and enlightened public choice making.
