We have been truly blessed with loving support from so many dedicated people who wanted this book to be published, and who helped in countless ways to make it a reality.
For that, we are indebted, and so very grateful to:
Melody Guy, our editor, for your perfect vision, your steady hand, your unwavering enthusiasm for this project, and for being so good at what you do. To Melody’s assistant, Danielle Durkin, for handling all those critical production details and absorbing so much of the pressure. And to the entire Random House family for its support.
Manie Barron, our agent and collaborator, a true believer, for knowing just what this book would need, and knowing how to get it; for your hands-on involvement, and for never letting go.
Attorney Lester L. Barclay, for being a great advocate, for your determination to have this story told, and for going to such lengths to safeguard the legacy.
Reverend Wheeler Parker, Jr., and Simeon Wright for the important roles you played in this story, the vital roles you played in the telling, and for never forgetting Emmett.
Crosby Smith, Jr., Bertha Thomas, and Abe Thomas for rising to the occasion, always answering the call with advice and materials, and doing so much to make sure that everything was handled to keep this project moving forward.
Reverend Wealthy and Euphemia Mobley, Lillian Gene Jackson, and Thelma Wright Edwards for your constant availability, your high level of support, and your eagerness to share so much of yourselves.
Ollie and Airickca Gordon, Anna Laura Williams, Priscilla Sterling, and Deborah Watts for everything you’ve done to keep the family story alive and well.
Earlene Greer and Shep Gordon for unceasing devotion and loving care.
The many loving family members and friends who are such a cherished part of this story.
Rosa Parks, a woman of courage, conviction, and compassion, for the loving embrace of friendship, and for pointing the way.
Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., for committed friendship and never failing to find the perfect words for the perfect sentiment.
Ollie M. Williams, a true friend for life, for always being there at just the right time.
Dr. Ann Brickel, a dear and faithful friend, for constant inspiration and guidance.
Elaine Eason Steele, keeper of the flame, for uncommon devotion and support.
Willie Reed, for your courage and your determination to reveal the truth in the face of such great odds.
Maria Johnson, for the bond only two mothers can share, for showing such strength and dedication in overcoming so much to continue moving forward.
David Barr for the many things you did to get this project started. It wouldn’t have happened without you.
Odel Sterling III for daring to dream and showing so many others how to make dreams come true.
Alice Elzy and Clifton Anthony Goins, for your indispensable help and spiritual support.
The wonderful members of Evangelistic Crusaders Church of God in Christ for the many years of loving support, and for sharing the blessings.
Doris Saunders, for so much advice, insight, positive energy, and for being a tremendous resource.
Robert Miller, Michael Flug, and Tammy Hampton of the Vivian Harsh Collection at the Carter G. Woodson Regional Library in Chicago, for outstanding research assistance, and the high level of devotion to this project that made all the difference.
John H. Johnson for sharing the Emmett Till story with the nation and keeping it alive over the years. And to Linda Johnson Rice, for making it possible for Chris Benson to work on this project.
Simeon Booker for being the reporter other reporters want to be and for sharing so much insight on this and other important stories over the years. And to the other dedicated people who courageously covered the 1955 murder trial and who were so willing to relive the experience: Clotye Murdock Larsson, Moses Newson, Franklin McMahon, and Ernest Withers.
William Parker, Milton Parker, Tillman Mallory, Tyrone Modiest, Sam Lynch, Donny Lee Taylor, and Lindsey Hill for the laughter and the memories in the back of the Esquire Barbershop in Argo, and to Roosevelt Crawford for all that you added to the story.
Stephanie Parker-Weaver, for taking care of business in Mississippi and keeping track of all the important details.
Vernon Jarrett, for the compelling historical perspective and the encouragement to tell important stories.
Dr. Bennie Goodwin, Jr., for the most special blessing.
Annyce Campbell and Audley Mackel, Jr., for the significant recollections of Dr. T.R.M. Howard and Mound Bayou.
Col. Eugene Scott, Chicago Defender, for your generous support and willingness to help.
Lois Walker, Chicago Defender, Deborah Douglas, Chicago Sun-Times, and Sandra Spikes, Chicago Tribune for recognizing the importance of this story, and for providing invaluable assistance leaving no stone unturned in digging up such significant photographs.
Geoff Brown, Brenda Butler, Raymond Thomas, and Charles Whitaker for early and enduring support, and for the faith, confidence, and encouragement that meant so much.
Keith Beauchamp and Alvin Sykes for your dedication to fighting the good fight.
Renny Cushing, for unceasing advocacy, keen insight, and valued assistance.
Gary Flowers, John Mitchell, and Marnie Trotter, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, for your relentless efforts on our behalf.
Charles and Alice Tisdale, Jackson Advocate, for the vital Mississippi information.
Penny Weaver, Southern Poverty Law Center, for your eager support and never-ending assistance.
Karen L. Blackwell, for uncommon generosity.
Wini R. Benson for all those colorful “Bronzeville” memories, and to Pauline M. Clark for that important Atlanta connection.
Kaye C. Benson for the feedback, the candid critique and advice, and all the love you put into those perfect transcripts.
Additional appreciation to Trish Phipps, University of Virginia Press; Barbara Lanphier, Strahorn Library, Illinois Railway Museum; Joan Harms, Denver Public Library; Peggy Price, McCain Library and Archives, University of Southern Mississippi; Writer’s House, New York; Harpo, Inc., Chicago; Optimus, Chicago; and Lab One, Chicago.
The following sources were very helpful in providing insight and context, and refreshing the memory:
Books
Baldwin, James, Blues for Mister Charlie. New York: Vintage Books, 1964.
Bullard, Sara, ed., Free at Last: A History of the Civil Rights Movement and Those Who Died in the Struggle. Montgomery, Alabama: Teaching Tolerance/Southern Poverty Law Center, 1989.
Carson, Clayborne, David J. Garrow, Gerald Gill, Vincent Harding, Darlene Clark Hine, eds., The Eyes on the Prize Civil Rights Reader: Documents, Speeches and Firsthand Accounts from the Black Freedom Struggle. New York: Penguin Books, 1991.
Evers, Myrlie, For Us, the Living. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Co., 1967.
Halberstam, David, The Fifties. New York: Villard Books, 1993.
Hudson-Weems, Clenora, Emmett Till: The Sacrificial Lamb of the Civil Rights Movement. Troy, Michigan: Bedford Publishers, Inc., 1994.
Metress, Christopher, ed., The Lynching of Emmett Till: A Documentary Narrative. Charlottesville and London: The University of Virginia Press, 2002.
Whitfield, Stephen J., A Death in the Delta: The Story of Emmett Till. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1988.
Williams, Juan, Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years 1954–1955. New York: Viking Penguin, 1987.
Articles
Booker, Simeon, “A Negro Reporter at the Till Trial,” Nieman Reports, January 1956.
Faulkner, William, “Can We Survive?” New South, September 1955.
Hicks, James L., “New Till Evidence Disclosed in Letter,” Philadelphia Afro-American, November 26, 1955.
Hicks, James L., “Why Reporter Went Back to Mississippi,” Baltimore Afro-American, November 26, 1955.
Porteus, Clark, “New Till Evidence: Reporter Finds It,” Memphis Press Scimitar, September 21, 1955.
Wilson, L. Alex, “ ‘Too Tight’ Talks: Defender Tracks Down Mystery Till ‘Witnesses,’ ” Chicago Defender, October 8, 1955.
Beito, David T., and Linda Royster Beito, “T.R.M. Howard: Pragmatism Over Strict Integrationist Ideology in the Mississippi Delta, 1942–1954.”
Whitaker, Hugh Stephen, “A Case Study in Southern Justice: The Emmett Till Case.” Master’s Thesis, Florida State University, Tallahassee, 1963.
Documentaries/Television
Eyes on the Prize: Awakenings 1954–1956. Blackside, Inc. Henry Hampton, executive producer; Judith Vecchione, producer. 1987.
“The Murder and the Movement.” NBC, Channel 5 News, Chicago. Anna Vasser, producer; Bob Webb, director; Rich Samuels, reporter and writer. 1985.
The Murder of Emmett Till. Firelight Media. Stanley Nelson, producer and director; Marcia A. Smith, writer. 2003.
“The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till.” Till Freedom Come. Keith Beauchamp, writer, producer, and director; Ceola J. Beauchamp, Edgar Beauchamp, Ali Bey, Steven Laitmon, executive producers; Yolande Geralds, producer. 2002.
“Unsolved Hate Crimes, Part 10: Witnesses of Murders During the Civil Rights Era.” The Oprah Winfrey Show. Debra DiMaio, executive producer. October 13, 1992.
Newspapers/Periodicals
Amsterdam News
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Baltimore Afro-American
Chicago American
Chicago Defender
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Tribune
Jackson Advocate
Jackson Clarion-Ledger
New York Post
Pittsburgh Courier
The Crisis
The New York Times
The Washington Post