JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – This year marks what would have been the 100th birthday of civil rights activist Medgar Evers. In Jackson, the community and special guests are honoring his legacy with powerful tributes.

“Medgar Evers at 100” was held at the Jackson Convention Complex. The event featured speeches from Evers’ family members and community leaders. Organizers said the goal was to connect people not only to Evers’ legacy, but also to the resources they would need to carry it forward.

Courtney Cockrell, the great-niece of Evers, said getting involved is the first step to keeping his legacy alive.

“Know your power, and know that there are so many ways that you can be involved and so many things that you can contribute. Don’t think that because you are young or because you may not be in a position you want to be in that you don’t have value. That’s important, to do your part no matter how small. There is still value in that,” Cockrell said.

Evers’ daughter, Reena Evers-Everette, said being surrounded by the community is a powerful reminder that real change begins locally.

“It starts at the local level, because that’s the only way it rolls up to make policy change. Making sure that who we elect and the policies that we need to place starts at the local level,” she said.