I. 2023 Honorees & Welcome Letter

II. Attendance Information & Tickets

III. Sponsorship & Ad Opportunities

Our 2023 Honorees

The Honorable U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume

Alston/Jones International Civil & Human Rights Award

Sanda Hughes


Trailblazer Award

The Honorable Katie "Kay" Cashion

Unsung Hero Award

Kay Brown

Keeper of the Flame Award

The Honorable Yvonne Johnson

Lifetime Community Service Award

Kemp Talley

Sit-In Participant Award

April 10, 2023

2023 Gala Press Release 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John L. Swaine
336-274-9199
[email protected]

SIX CIVIL RIGHTS NOTABLES WILL BE HONORED AT ANNUAL GALA BY THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS CENTER & MUSEUM

(Honorees: The Hon. U.S. Rep. Kweise Mfume, Sandra Hughes, the Hon. Katie Cashion, the Hon. Yvonne Johnson, Kay Brown, and Kemp Talley) 

GREENSBORO, N.C. (April 10, 2023) — The International Civil Rights Center Museum will mark the 63nd Anniversary of the successful conclusion of the Greensboro civil rights sit-ins on July 25, 2023, at its annual fundraising Gala at the Koury Convention Center.

This year also marks the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech on Aug. 28, 1963. In recognition of this momentous demonstration, the ICRCM has named the theme of the upcoming Gala, “The March to Washington Continues.”

Six significant contributors to civil and human rights will be honored during the Civil Rights Museum’s most important annual commemorative event. Prior to the 6:30 p.m. awards program and banquet, media representatives are invited to take part in a 4 p.m. press conference on July 25 at the Museum, located at 134 South Elm Street, to obtain additional information, interviews, and photos of award recipients and Museum officials.

Scheduled To Attend:
The Hon. U.S. Rep. Kweise Mfume —Alston/Jones International Civil & Human Rights Award.
Sandra Hughes — Trailblazer Award.
The Hon. Katie Cashion — Unsung Hero Award.
The Hon. Yvonne Johnson — Lifetime Community Service Award.
Kay Brown — Keeper of the Flame Award.
Kemp Talley — Sit-In Participant Award.

Media credentials for the Gala are required and must be requested in advance. Email requests, including name, news outlet, contact number to [email protected]

About the Sit-In Movement

The Sit-In Movement began at the F.W. Woolworth’s building in Greensboro, N.C., on Feb. 1, 1960, when four N.C. A&T freshman students requested and were refused service at the whites-only lunch counter, whih has been preserved in its original location as the iconic centerpiece of the Civil Rights Museum. Almost immediately in 1960, the non-violent direct-action “sit-in” tactic spread across the nation. It has been a method of peaceful protest against injustice and for constructive social change ever sense. As the saying now goes, “They took a seat to make a stand.” The International Civil Rights Center & Museum attracts visitors from across the globe to explore the story of the turbulent struggle for racial justice and human equality from the period of the 1960s modern civil rights movement. The acclaimed tours and restored Woolworth’s landmark were recognized in 2018 as one of the Top Ten sites on the newly announced U.S. Civil Rights Trail.

For more information, visit www.sitinmovement.org.


COVID-19 Health & Safety

Gala Attendance Information


To ensure the health and safety of our gala attendees during this time, public health protocols will be observed. As such:

• guests will be required to show a proof of full vaccination (two shots completed with Pfizer or Moderna, or one-shot series of Johnson & Johnson; and two weeks since last shot) OR a negative COVID-19 test administered by a medical professional within the last 48 hours (no at-home tests);

• a government-issued form of identification will be required;

• face coverings are required at all times while inside, except for when actively eating or drinking;

social distancing of at least six feet between attendees will be observed;

security screenings and temperature checks will be conducted of all guests attending.

Despite the unprecedented global challenges, we will fulfill our mission and still honor some of our country’s most deserving social justice activists. In light of the current pandemic, we will also have a live streaming option.

Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing us at [email protected] or by calling at 336-274-9199 ext. 100.

Purchase Tickets

Physical Tickets

Tickets may be mailed to the point-of-contact for table sponsors. Guests may also pick them up at the Museum with advance notice by calling 336-274-9199. More information is available at the top of this page.

Please retain your email receipt (paper copy or digital receipt) for validation.

A government-issued form of identification will be required upon arrival at the Koury Convention Center.

Virtual Tickets

Those who purchase a ticket for the live stream will receive instructions on how to access the private event, which will be streamed via Eventbrite. A confirmation email with your instructions and private code will be emailed in July.

International Civil Rights Center & Museum

2023 Gala Tickets & Sponsorships

Benefits will begin as of July 25, 2023. 

Download Gala Package

Title Sponsor
$100,000

• Deliver Opening Greetings at the Dinner
• Three VIP-level reserved tables at Gala (30 seats)
• Ad placement on inside back cover of Gala booklet
• Media Exposure: acknowledgment as Title Sponsor on all press releases, advertisements and media interviews
• Two 60-second video ads aired during event
• 12 VIP Reception Tickets
• Placement of corporate marketing materials OR acknowledgement with Company name/logo as Title Sponsor on all tables
• Company name/logo on video scroll during the event, pop-up Banner (provided by sponsor) at both the Reception and Dinner
• Naming rights to new Honoree Exhibit
• Delivers welcome at unveiling of Honoree Exhibit
• Title Underwriter for all ICRCM 2023 programming and events
• Name included on all promotional materials during the year
• Name and Logo with live hyperlink to company website placement on ICRCM’s website for one year (2023)
• Name and Logo with live hyperlink to company website placement featured on Constant Contact E-blast for one year
• Sponsorship of 400 Student Admissions for the “Build America Better” tours
• Five VIP Private Tour Passes, each of which admits 25 guests per tour during 2023 


Confirm your support.

Ready to be part of the 2022 Civil Rights Gala? Click below to review and confirm your sponsorship level or ticket. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected], or click here.

The Changed World
$50,000


• Host Private Reception for Honorees • Opportunity to present award to one of the top honorees
• Two Premier Level Tables (20 seats)
• Ten VIP Reception Tickets
• Prominent full page ad on inside front cover of Gala Souvenir Booklet
• Name included on all promotional materials during the year
• Name and Logo with live hyperlink to company website placement on ICRCM’s website for one year (2023)
• Company name on video scroll during the event, pop-up banner (provided by the sponsor) at both the Reception and Dinner
• Sponsorship of 200 Student Admissions for the “Build America Better” tours
• Four VIP Private Tour Passes which admits 25 guests per tour during 2023
• 2023 Museum monthly programming underwriting 

The Quest for Justice
$25,000


• Opportunity to present award to one of the top honorees
• Two Premier Tables (20 seats)
• Six VIP Reception Tickets
• Prominent full page ad in the Event Program booklet
• Name and Logo with live hyperlink to company website placement on ICRCM’s website for one year (2023)
• Company name and Logo on table(s) and Video Scroll
• Sponsorship of 100 Student Admissions for “Build America Better”
• Two VIP Private Tour Passes which admits 25 guests per tour during 2023
• 2023 Museum monthly programming underwriting 

The Lunch Counter
$10,000


• One Premier Table (10 seats)
• Four Gala VIP Reception Tickets
• Full page Ad in the Gala souvenir book
• Sponsor content of Honoree's Gift Bags
• Logo placement on ICRCM’s website for one year (2023)
• Company name on table(s) and Logo on video scroll during the event
• Two VIP Private Group Passes which admits up to 25 guests per tour during 2023
• Sponsorship of 50 Student Admissions for a “Build America Better” tour 

Build America Better
$5,000


• One Reserved Table (10 seats)
• Two Gala VIP Reception Tickets
• Full page Ad placed in Gala souvenir book
• Name and Logo placement on ICRCM’s website for one year (2023)
• Company name on table and Video Scroll during the event
• One VIP Private Group Passes which admits up to 25 guests per tour group during 2023
• Sponsorship of 50 Student Admissions passes for a “Build America Better” tour 

The Freedom Supporter
$2,500


• One Reserved Table (10 seats)
• One-half-page Ad placed in Gala souvenir book
• Company name placed on ICRCM’s website for one year (2023)
• Company name on table and video scroll during the event
• One VIP Private Group Pass which admits up to 25 guests for a tour during 2023 

The Walk of Courage
$1,500


• One Reserved Table (10 seats)
• Company name on table and video scroll, during the event
• One VIP Private Group Pass which admits up to 25 guests for a tour during 2022 

Full-Page Booklet Ad
$400


Measurements based on standard paper-size measurement (8.5 x 11.0 inches; 300 DPI and 72 DPI respectively; 2480 pixels x 3508 pixels; please allow .125 bleed on all sides). 

Half-Page Booklet Ad
$250


Measurements based on standard paper-size measurement (8.5 x 11.0 inches; 300 DPI and 72 DPI respectively; 2480 pixels x 3508 pixels; please allow .125 bleed on all sides). 

Individual Ticket
$150


One admission to the in-person Gala.

Individual Virtual Ticket
$50


One admission to the live stream of the Gala.

I'd like my ad in the gala booklet.

Ad space is available in our keepsake gala booklet! Folks who are interested can download and fill out the Gala Ad Form below. Payment may be made by check, credit card, or online by clicking here.

Measurements based on standard paper-size measurement (8.5 x 11.0 inches; 300 DPI and 72 DPI respectively; 2480 pixels x 3508 pixels; please allow .125 bleed on all sides).