Rosa Parks Tribute Events, Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30

COTA is teaming up with Joyce Beatty, sponsor of the legislation that recognizes December 1 as Rosa Parks Day in Ohio, and the Ohio State University’s Office of Outreach and Engagement and Office of Diversity and Inclusion to celebrate Ms. Parks’ courageous act on a city bus in 1955.

This year will feature a “Conversations” panel on Thursday evening, November 29 featuring Charles Neblett and Rutha Harris, two of the three surviving original Freedom Singers; Bettie Mae Fikes, Freedom Singer and Danielle McGuire, Rosa Parks historian and author of the highly acclaimed At the Dark End of the Street, about Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights era. The panel will again be moderated by Jerry Revish from WBNS 10TV and taped before a studio audience at WOSU@COSI studios.

Prior to the panel discussion, COTA will be hosting a community leaders’ reception. Featured at the reception will be a performance from the “Rosa” 2-Chaired Ballet, choreographed by Alexis Wilson-Stripling, daughter of famed dancer and choreographer Billy Wilson.

Friday’s Children’s Assembly and Art Exhibit will take place at the Vern Riffe Center’s Capitol Theater. The Assembly will feature a performance of “Rosa” by Ms. Wilson-Stripling accompanied by her husband, Byron Stripling, Artistic Director of the Jazz Arts Group Columbus.

Contact COTA at (614) 308-4403 for more information.


Rosa Parks, the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement, embodied the values of courage, fairness and compassion when she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white passenger on Dec. 1, 1955. Her spirit inspires Ohio to recognize her legacy in “The Power of One”, Ohio’s annual statewide tribute to Rosa Parks.