Southeast’s Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Sociology will welcome Rev. Wheeler Parker on April 13.

Rev. Parker is the cousin of the late Emmett Till. Parker and Till were traveling together and visiting family in Money, Mississippi in late August 1955 when Till was a victim of a hate crime at the age of 14. Rev. Parker was present at the general store where Till supposedly whistled at a White woman and was at the home when R. Bryant and J. W. Milam abducted Till, making Parker one of the last people to see Till before his death.

Rev. Parker has authored a book concerning his final days with Till titled, A Few Days Full of Trouble: Revelations of the Journey to Justice for my Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till (2023). Additionally, the movie Till (2022) has recently been released. These two events have generated renewed interest in Till’s murder, as well as the lessons that can be learned from this event, ways to prevent future diversity-based violence, and continued inequality that creates barriers for marginalized groups.

You can hear Rev. Parker speak in Dempster Hall Auditorium on Southeast’s campus on Thursday, April 13, from 5-7 p.m. All are welcome.