Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep Terri Sewell (AL-07) spoke at the White House for its Black History Month Civil Rights Descendants Event. During this first-of-its-kind convening, Rep. Sewell joined Vice President Kamala Harris, White House Director of Public Engagement Mayor Stephen Benjamin, and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) to welcome more than two dozen descendants of civil rights icons and historical figures for a reception honoring their ancestors’ legacies in the fight for racial equality.

Rep. Sewell applauded the guests for their personal sacrifices and their work to preserve and protect the legacies of their ancestors. She thanked President Biden and Vice President Harris for their commitment to advancing the progress made during the Civil Rights Movement.

“As a daughter of Selma and the Representative of Alabama’s Civil Rights District, I know that I stand on the shoulders of giants like the ones we honor today. It is because of their courage that this little Black girl could go on to become Alabama’s first Black Congresswoman,” said Rep. Sewell. “I applaud these families for their personal sacrifices and tireless work to preserve and protect the legacies of their ancestors. At a time when our fundamental freedoms are once again under attack, we are grateful to President Biden not only for convening this event, but for his commitment to furthering the progress that our foremothers and forefathers fought and died to achieve." 

Among the guests were the descendants and families of Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Emmett Till, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Ida B. Wells, Dred Scott, Homer Adolph Plessy, Sally Hemings, Oliver Leon Brown, Rodney King, and George Floyd.  

Today’s event was the first time these descendants and families gathered at the White House to discuss existing civil rights issues in America. It comes as right-wing extremists work to reverse the progress made during the Civil Rights Movement by restricting voting access, banning books, dismantling affirmative action, attacking diversity and equity initiatives, and limiting the teaching of Black history.

Photos of the event can be found here.