Jan. 26, 2026 ̶ ̶ ̶ The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis will host author and journalist Joy-Ann Reid for the presentation of the 2024 Hooks National Book Award. Reid will speak on her award-winning book “Medgar & Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America” (Mariner Books). The event will take place Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at 2 p.m. at the University of Memphis in the Michael D. Rose Theatre.
“Joy-Ann Reid effectively explores Medgar and Myrlie Evers as partners in love and in civil rights activism. What makes this book so interesting is that it really explores the two of them together, the love story that they had and the impact of their love story in Medgar’s work, but also the work that Myrlie takes up after Medgar is assassinated. We see them working as co-leads in civil rights and that’s not something we normally see, and that’s what makes this such a compelling book,” says Dr. Terrence Tucker, chair and professor in the University of Memphis Department of English and chair of the Hooks National Book Award committee.
“In the push for civil rights, we usually think about it in terms of anger or outrage, but Reid’s book brings love into the center of the civil rights movement…the love for people in addition to the love Medgar and Myrlie had for each other and their family. The power of their love led Medgar and Myrlie Evers to work, tirelessly to make our country better.”
This event is free and open to the public, although reservations are required and may be reserved at memphis.edu/HooksBookAward. Affordable and secure parking is available in the Zach Curlin Garage.
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Organizations
- Joy-Ann Reid, author of “Medgar & Myrlie: Medgar Evers and the Love Story That Awakened America,” to receive the award and discuss her book, at the University of Memphis. Michael D. Rose Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. Reservations should be made at memphis.edu/HooksBookAward
- The event is made possible by the presenting sponsors: UofM African & African American Studies and the UofM Hardin Chair of Excellence in Journalism
- Community Sponsors: Memphis Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc; and Ting Internet and Mobile
- University of Memphis Sponsors: Department of English; Department of History and Marcus Orr Center for the Humanities
About Joy-Ann Reid
Joy-Ann Reid is a journalist, author, documentary film producer and social and political commentator. She is the former host of The Reid Report, AM Joy, and “The ReidOut” on MSNBC (a two-time NAACP Award-winning and Emmy-nominated nightly news analysis program). Her latest project: “The Joy Reid Show,” airs on YouTube and on all audio podcast platforms.
Reid has written four books, two of which were New York Times bestsellers: “Medgar and Myrlie; the Love Story That Awakened America,” which made the Times best-seller list and won the 2025 NAACP Image Award in the biography category; and “The Man Who Sold America,” which was also made the Times bestseller list. Additionally, Reid authored, “Fracture: Barack Obama, The Clintons and the Racial Divide,” and the foreword to “Kamala Harris: Selections from the Official White House Photography.”
A 1991 Harvard University graduate with a concentration in film, Reid has worked in talk radio for Radio One, served as managing editor of TheGrio.com, worked as a political operative for America Coming Together in 2004, and worked for the 2008 Barack Obama presidential campaign.
Reid is a proud honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She and her husband, Jason, co-own the production company, Image Lab Media Group, which produces The Joy Reid Show and an upcoming documentary on Medgar Evers.
About the Hooks National Book Award
The Hooks Institute’s National Book Award is presented annually to a nonfiction book published in the calendar year that best furthers understanding of the American civil rights movement and its legacy. A panel of judges representing various disciplines and academic institutions in Memphis awards the annual honor. The winner was chosen from a group of 47 nominations covering a diverse field of subjects related to the civil rights movement and its legacy.
Hooks National Book Award Committee
The Hooks Institute thanks the 2024 Hooks National Book Award committee. Members include Chair Tucker (University of Memphis English Department); Daryl Anderson Jr. (LeMoyne-Owen College); Brian Kwoba (UofM); Ladrica Menson-Furr (UofM); and Shatavia Wynn (Rhodes College). Additional members include a managing editor for TheGrio.com, a 2004 political operative for America Coming Together, and a 2008 Barack Obama campaign staffer. Click here for more information.
About the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute implements its mission of teaching, studying and promoting civil rights and social change through research, education and direct intervention programs. Institute programs include community outreach; funding faculty research initiatives on community issues; implementing community service projects; hosting conferences, symposiums, and lectures; and promoting local and national scholarship on civil and human rights. The Hooks Institute is an interdisciplinary center at the University of Memphis. Contributed revenue for the Hooks Institute, including funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations, is administered through the University of Memphis Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
Media Contact:
Amy Ruggaber, Assistant Director
The Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change
University of Memphis
