Imagine a room filled with eager faces, the hum of anticipation in the air, and a speaker ready to shake things up.
That was the scene at the Alabama State University Civil Rights Summit held in the Ralph David Abernathy Auditorium on Feb. 20, where Lorenza Pharrams, Ed.D., took the stage and delivered a message that left everyone in the room thinking.
Known for his inspiring words and powerful leadership, Pharrams, a motivational speaker, educational consultant, and the author of “Nobody Told Them They Were Somebody: A Guide to Helping At-Risk Students,” was not about looking to the past but igniting a spark for the future.

From the moment he stepped up to the microphone, Pharrams had the crowd’s attention. He began with a warm thanks to the university and to Frost, who works in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, for making the event possible.
“It was not just about gratitude. It was about honoring the sacrifices of those who came before us,” he said. “We honor those who gave everything for a better future, those who fought the fight that so many do not even know about.”
He talked about iconic figures like Rosa Parks, whose brave stance on Dec. 1, 1955 in Montgomery, sparked the legendary bus boycott. Pharrams made it clear that it was Parks who showed us that one simple act could ripple out and change the world.
He could have listed countless civil rights heroes, but Pharrams chose to focus on those connected directly to Montgomery, the city that is often referred to as the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement.

He spoke about Martin Luther King Jr., a young preacher who became the face of the movement, and how his leadership in the Selma to Montgomery march still impacts us today.
“The things King set in motion gave us the rights we often take for granted today,” Pharrams said.
He brought to light the stories of lesser-known heroes like Georgia Gilmore, who sold food to fund the bus boycott, and Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old who refused to give up her seat on the bus months before Parks did.
“What would our lives look like if these individuals had stayed silent, if they had not taken a stand?” he asked.
According to Pharrams, Colvin also recalled a powerful, spiritual experience in which she felt the spirits of historical figures like Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth urging her to stay seated.
“I felt the hands pressing down on my shoulders, one from Harriet Tubman on one side, and Sojourner Truth on the other,” Colvin shared, symbolizing the strength and courage of these legendary women guiding her in that moment.
Pharrams did not stop there. He took the audience on a ride through history, from Aurelia Browder, who fought to end segregated buses, to the landmark case that desegregated public parks and the YMCA in Montgomery with the help of attorney Fred Gray.
He paid tribute to Gray, who played a pivotal role in securing justice during the Civil Rights Movement. Gray, who earned a degree from the university, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to challenge systemic injustice. He was instrumental in filing lawsuits that led to desegregation and in pushing the legal boundaries of civil rights in the South.
Pharrams emphasized Gray’s importance by sharing how he worked alongside key activists to ensure that the courts upheld the rights of marginalized people, helping to break down the legal barriers that allowed racial segregation and inequality to persist.

As the event progressed, he highlighted a pivotal case in Arizona, Miranda v. Arizona, which led to the creation of the Miranda Rights that protect individuals during police arrests.
“However, when it comes to civil rights, you do not have the right to remain silent. You do not have the luxury of sitting back and doing nothing when you see injustice,” he challenged the audience.
Pharrams then turned to a personal story about his own upbringing in poverty. He recalled how, as a child, he lived in an 800-square-foot house with seven people and spent time scavenging for cans in dumpsters.
“There were days the lights and water were turned off, and we had to dig through trash for things of value,” he said. Despite the challenges, Pharrams knew education could be his way out, “I was waiting for someone to pour into me. Eventually, I had people who believed in me. They said, ‘you can do this’ and I chose to make a difference.”
Pharrams shared how his father gave him the last dollar he had when he was preparing to leave for college, a gesture that meant everything to him. “My father gave me that dollar, and pointed to his knees, saying, ‘Stay on these, that’s all you need,’” he said, his voice emotional. “That was the beginning of my journey.”
He reflected on his journey from struggling student to educator and leader, and he gave the audience a challenge: “No matter your circumstances, you can make a difference. The change starts with you. Get involved, speak up, and keep fighting.”
He wrapped up his discourse with a message that everyone took to heart, “You do not have the right to remain silent when injustice is around you. Say something. Do something.” He referenced Nelson Mandela’s powerful words, “Fools multiply when wise men are silent.”
Tanjula Petty, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives, closed the summit by reminding everyone in the room that it is vital to honor the legacy of those who paved the way.
“Our voices matter,” she said. “Speak up! Do not let silence be your answer.”