Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame induction planned in Hopkinsville

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights will host the ceremony on Nov. 22 at the James E. Bruce Convention Center.

New inductees to Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame will be announced during a ceremony at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, at the James E. Bruce Convention Center. 

The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights recently announced it is bringing the program to Hopkinsville to recognize hall of fame nominees for “their monumental contributions toward civil and human rights.”

Hopkinsville native Raymond Burse, a retired corporate attorney and former president of Kentucky State University, gives the keynote address for the 50th Unity Breakfast on Oct. 24. Burse is chair for the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights. (Hoptown Chronicle photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

The commission established the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2000 and conducted the first induction ceremony on the commission’s 40th anniversary. Among several dozen members, the hall of fame includes five individuals from Hopkinsville — Walter Shamble, bell hooks, Hal and Bettye Thurmond and Gov. Edward T. “Ned” Breathitt

The induction ceremony is free to attend, but seating will be limited and anyone planning to go is asked to RSVP by email to kchr.mail@ky.gov.

While the members are in Hopkinsville, the commission will also conduct its monthly meeting at 10 a.m. at the Hopkinsville Municipal Center.

Hopkinsville native Dr. Raymond Burse is the current chair for the commission. Burse, who resides in Louisville, was in Hopkinsville last month to give the keynote address for the Unity Breakfast

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