Vicksburg residents have an opportunity for an evening of film, conversation, and inspiration this Saturday at the Strand Theatre.

In partnership with the Westside Theatre Foundation, the Mississippi Humanities Council will present a fundraiser screening of “Fannie Lou Hamer’s America,” an award-winning documentary celebrating one of Mississippi’s fiercest voices for justice. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring those who knew her best.

The film will be screened Saturday night at the Strand, 717 Clay St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the film begins at 7 p.m.

Organizers said the event is more than a celebration of history—it is a call to action. Recent federal funding cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have eliminated National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grants, jeopardizing vital public programming like this. The MHC is turning to the community to help sustain these enriching initiatives that preserve Mississippi’s diverse stories and foster meaningful dialogue.

The post-screening panel Includes:

• Dr. Leslie McLemore, civil rights activist, close friend of Fannie Lou Hamer, and former MHC board chair, who will share rare and personal stories that bring Hamer’s legacy vividly to life.
• Monica Land, the film’s director and Hamer’s great-grandniece, joining via Zoom for a moderated conversation with Dr. Stuart Rockoff, MHC executive director. They will discuss the critical role of MHC grants in preserving and sharing stories like this.

Those who would like to attend can RSVP on Facebook at this link. Organizers said that while admission is free, support from the community is “crucial.” They also thanked the Strand for donating their space for the screening.

Those who would like to donate to the MHC can do so by visiting this link.