The Black Women Leaders of Prominence Series: An Evening of Music and Social Justice Honoring Ruby Sales

The Black Women Leaders of Prominence Series: An Evening of Music and Social Justice Honoring Legendary Civil Rights Activist and Freedom Fighter Ruby Sales was held at Rutgers University-Newark on March 5, 2024. 

Ruby was greeted by a standing ovation and received special tributes from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Senator Cory Booker.

Ruby is one of 50 civil rights leaders showcased by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. At the age of 17, she marched in the Selma to Montgomery marches of 1965. She has worked as a human rights advocate in Washington, D.C., and across the south.

Sales is the founder and director of the Spirit House Project, and regularly speaks throughout the country about race, class, and reconciliation.

The event featured acclaimed poet, activist and artist Ursula Rucker, American actor and singer-songwriter Chaz Lamar Shepherd, and Dr. Melanie R. Hill, renowned Gospel Soul violinist, Assistant Professor of English Literature, Music, Theology and American Studies at Rutgers University—Newark and our ISGRJ Named Term Chair and Mellon Assistant Professor of Global Racial Justice.

Watch Senator Cory Booker's tribute to Ruby Sales here: 

View more photos from this signature event here.