Charles Evers
Charles Evers – Life, Work & Legacy
Introduction
James Charles Evers (September 11, 1922 – July 22, 2020) was a notable American civil rights activist, politician, entrepreneur, and broadcaster. He is often remembered for continuing the struggle for African American rights in Mississippi following the assassination of his younger brother, Medgar Evers, and for becoming the first Black mayor of a biracial town in Mississippi since Reconstruction.
While he is less widely known than Medgar, Charles Evers played a significant role in advancing the civil rights movement in rural Mississippi, organizing voter registration efforts, leading the NAACP in the state, and later serving in political office.
Early Life & Background
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Charles Evers was born in Decatur, Mississippi on September 11, 1922, to parents Jesse (Wright) and James Evers. He was the eldest of four children, with Medgar Evers among his younger siblings.
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He grew up attending segregated public schools in Mississippi under the Jim Crow system.
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He later attended Alcorn State University (then Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College), graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 1950.
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After college, Evers served in the United States Army during World War II.
Evers’s early life was shaped by the racial inequalities of his time and the challenging social and economic conditions in Mississippi, setting the stage for his future activism.
Career & Civil Rights Activism
Business, Media & Early Activism
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After his military service, Evers began working in local business ventures—in Mississippi he ran enterprises including a restaurant, gas stations, and other small businesses.
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He also worked as a disc jockey (DJ) on radio at WHOC in Philadelphia, Mississippi. He is often cited as the first Black disc jockey in that region.
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In the 1950s he became involved with civil rights organizations, particularly in voter registration and local activism in Mississippi.
Taking up the mantle after Medgar’s assassination
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In 1963, Medgar Evers was assassinated. In the aftermath, Charles returned to Mississippi and took over as the NAACP field secretary in Mississippi, continuing the registration and civil rights campaigns.
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He relocated much of the NAACP’s state field operations to Fayette, Mississippi, aiming to build a base of Black political strength in Jefferson County and surrounding areas.
Evers used grassroots organizing, boycotts, voter registration, and direct challenges to Jim Crow laws to advance civil rights in deeply segregated rural communities.
Political Career & Mayoral Terms
One of Charles Evers’s most historically significant accomplishments was his election as mayor:
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In 1969, he was elected Mayor of Fayette, Mississippi, becoming the first Black mayor of a town with a biracial population in the state since Reconstruction.
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He defeated incumbent R. J. Allen, with support from newly registered Black voters.
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One of his first acts was to outlaw carrying firearms within city limits.
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He appointed a Black police force and aimed to bring economic development and federal investment to Fayette.
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He held the mayor’s office from 1969 to 1981, was defeated, then re-elected in 1985 and served until 1989.
Evers also made other political runs:
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In 1971, he ran for Governor of Mississippi as an independent. Although he did not win, his candidacy was symbolic and drew attention.
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In 1978, he ran for U.S. Senate (again as independent) and received a significant share of the vote, though not enough to win.
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He later shifted party affiliation several times: originally a Democrat, he later became independent (1969–1978), and eventually a Republican.
Beyond elective office, Evers remained active in radio (hosting his own show Let’s Talk) and public commentary.
Challenges, Controversies & Transformation
Charles Evers’s political style and decisions generated both admiration and criticism:
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Some criticized him for being somewhat authoritarian in style—his mayoral governance included strict rules (e.g. cursing laws, speed limits, policing behavior) and his resistance to internal delegation.
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His political and moral decisions at times alienated both white and Black segments—especially when he adopted conservative or independent positions that diverged from civil rights orthodoxy.
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In the 1970s, he faced an indictment for tax evasion, involving underreporting of income and possible misuse of city funds. The case ended in a mistrial, but it damaged his reputation.
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Over his life, he shifted his political alignment—endorsing Republican candidates, voicing critiques of the Democratic Party, and identifying as an “independent Republican” toward the end.
His political evolution reflected both personal conviction and adaptation—he cultivated alliances across racial and ideological lines, sometimes controversially.
Legacy & Impact
Charles Evers’s contributions and significance are multifaceted:
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Symbolic Firsts: His election in Fayette marked a major symbolic victory in Mississippi’s civil rights history.
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Continuing Medgar’s work: After his brother’s murder, he ensured that the civil rights struggle in Mississippi did not fade, maintaining activism and registering voters.
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Political bridge-builder: He engaged with politicians from multiple parties and ideologies, making the case that civil rights and political power had to be inclusive and pragmatic.
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Media influence: Through radio and local media, he kept civil rights issues alive in public discourse in Mississippi.
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Cultural recognition: He wrote memoirs such as Have No Fear (1997) and Evers (1971), documenting his life, politics, and reflections.
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Honors and memorials: Evers has been honored with historical markers (e.g. on the Mississippi Blues Trail and Freedom Trail), and remembered as a state icon of civil rights.
His legacy is complex: he remains a figure who bridged activism and politics, often straddling contested lines, but always striving for political empowerment in deeply divided contexts.