The Flame of Liberty Award and Gala Honors Dr. Daryl Davis
Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year again…Gala time at the National Liberty Museum! For the first time, on October 22, we’re hosting the celebration right here at the museum, and I’m especially excited to welcome this year’s Flame of Liberty Award honoree, Daryl Davis, for an evening of music and meaningful conversation.
A nationally recognized musician, author, and race relations expert, Daryl has a remarkable story. An acclaimed blues and boogie-woogie pianist, he spent 32 years playing piano for Chuck Berry and has worked with legends including Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, The Platters, The Drifters, and Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires. His career has taken him to stages around the world AND this October, he will be speaking and performing at our Gala.
Beyond the stage, Daryl has spent more than four decades confronting racism through direct, personal conversations. As a Black man meeting with members of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups, he has asked a simple, powerful question: “How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?” Over time, some of those individuals renounced their beliefs and gave him their Klan robes and hoods. His story is chronicled in his books and the award-winning documentary Accidental Courtesy.
That takes extraordinary courage. It also takes conviction, patience, and a belief that people are capable of change. Those are qualities we are proud to recognize with the Flame of Liberty Award.
For me, Daryl’s work brings our focus on freedom of assembly to life. The opportunity to gather—to hear music, exchange ideas,
challenge assumptions, and confront injustice—can have profound consequences. His life shows how shared spaces and personal encounters can open the door to understanding, even across the deepest divisions.
That is why this evening feels especially meaningful here at the museum. Bringing people together to explore what freedom asks of each of us is central to our mission. On October 22, we’ll celebrate someone who puts that responsibility into practice. Join us for this incredible event.
I hope you’ll join me to hear Daryl’s story, enjoy his music, and support the work we make possible together. I can’t wait to welcome you!
Warmly,
Alaine Arnott
President & CEO, National Liberty Museum
