Official Groundbreaking Ceremony Held For Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park

Posted on: Jul 26th, 2023 | News and Announcementsfeatured newsPress Releases

 

        

MOBILE, Ala. – Officials from the City of Mobile, Mobile County, local nonprofits, and others including Clemon family members, participated in the Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park renovation groundbreaking on July 26.

Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park is a City of Mobile triangular pocket park located at 520 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Mobile. It is bounded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Hamilton Avenue and Congress Street. The park is across the street from the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1410, a prominent meeting place in Mobile during the Civil Rights era and an organization led by Clemon for many years.

Through efforts led by the late City Councilor Levon Manzie, Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park was named through a Mobile City Council resolution adopted in 2016.

Isom Clemon (Oct. 18, 1919 – April 16, 1994) led the International Longshoreman’s Association Local 1410, a labor union established in 1936 to represent the City of Mobile's African American longshoremen. Clemon was also one of the co-founders of the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC), founded in 1960 to help African Americans gain political access. He was instrumental in helping get the first African American delegates from Alabama seated at a Democratic National Convention.

“This park is a well-loved space in this community where residents have long gathered to share stories of The Avenue. It is fitting that it will serve as the gateway to the proposed Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage District. Highlighting the life and legacy of Isom Clemon, his work as a labor leader and civil rights pioneer in the shadow of his beloved ILA Local 1410 is so appropriate,” said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, who represents District 1.

When renovations are complete, the Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park will include a play area, the colors of which were selected after consultation with schoolchildren at nearby Florence Howard Elementary. The park will also include seating areas, sidewalks, plants, and multiple public art pieces:

• A larger than life-size bronze statue of Isom Clemon with a series of educational relief plaques will tell the story of organized African American labor in Mobile and both Clemon’s and the ILA’s role in the local Civil Rights movement. These art pieces were selected for the park through a contest overseen by the Mobile Arts Council. Steven Whyte Sculpture Studios and Mobile Studio, will create and install these pieces.
• A metal angel sculpture commissioned by Downtown Mobile Alliance and created by local artists Charles Smith and Frank Ledbetter will also be placed in Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park. Downtown Mobile Alliance is currently holding a public engagement contest to name the sculpture. Information about the sculpture and the name submission form are available at https://form.jotform.com/231854302297053.  [UPDATE: According to Downtown Mobile Alliance, the Ledbetter/Smith sculpture was named "Guardian of Labor, Liberty, and Love”]

Downtown Mobile Alliance worked with Manzie and began efforts toward the design and renovation of the park, with the assistance of Rotary Club of Mobile and others, but the COVID-19 pandemic and Manzie’s death in 2021 slowed the park’s progress. Championed by District 1 Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, Mobile County Commission funded Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park’s engineering and design and is overseeing construction.

The collective investment for Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park of $1.4 million comes from the downtown TIF (tax improvement fund), the City of Mobile, the Mobile County Commission, and other sources.

Mayor Sandy Stimpson said: "This project is another excellent example of what can happen when great partners work together toward a shared vision. The planning of the renovations at the Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park has brought together elected leaders, community groups, non-profits, local students and members of the Clemon family. Together, we are ensuring that Isom Clemon's and the ILA's role in Mobile's Civil Rights movement is remembered while creating a beautiful and engaging space for Mobilians to gather together." 

Construction should be complete in the spring of 2024. Park improvements were planned by Goodwyn Mills Caywood and construction will be completed by S.C. Stagner Contracting, Inc.

Mobile County Commission has obligated some of its American Rescue Plan dollars to elements of Isom Clemon Civil Rights Memorial Park and other projects that will culminate in the creation of a Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage District just north of downtown Mobile. ARPA investments to launch Mobile’s Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage District will increase public outdoor spaces and aid economic recovery by spurring tourism anchored by additional cultural assets and infrastructure. 

[edited for clarity and expected completion date 11/21/2023]

 

PHOTOS FROM THE OFFICIAL GROUNDBREAKING EVENT HELD WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 2023:

 

L-R: Darlene Moore (Isom Clemon's daughter), Rev. Michael Davis of State Street AME Church, Misty Knight of ILA Local 1410, Rep. Sam Jones, Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Rep. Adline Clarke, Lucy Gafford of Mobile Arts Council and Elizabeth Stevens of Downtown Mobile Alliance. 

photo credit: City of Mobile

 

County and City officials with Isom Clemon family members (L-R): Sonja and Tony Dennis, Commissioner Ludgood, Cleo Brown, Yevette Moore, Willie Baptiste, Darlene Moore, and Mayor Stimpson. 

photo credit: City of Mobile

 

Commissioner Merceria Ludgood and Isom Clemon's daughter, Darlene Moore: 

Photo credit Mobile County

 

SPEAKERS: 

Elizabeth Stevens, Downtown Mobile Allliance, explained initial efforts to name, create art for, and renovate the park. 

Commissioner Merceria Ludgood spoke about the park's importance as an anchor to the future Civil Rights and Cultural Heritage District. 

 

Rep. Sam Jones (former Mobile Mayor and former Mobile County Commissioner) spoke about the park's importance to the local community. 

Mayor Stimpson spoke about the historic significance of the park and the importance of collaboration. 

 

Lucy Gafford, Mobile Arts Council, spoke about the art commissioned for the park and the importance of art in storytelling and community education.

speakers photo credits City of Mobile