Emmett Till's Cousin to Speak in Bartlesville

Joshua Harris-Till, former National Young Democrats president, to share civil rights legacy

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Joshua Harris-Till, the cousin of the late Emmett Till and a dedicated civil rights advocate who helped pass the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, will be visiting Bartlesville, Oklahoma to share his insights and family history with the community.

Why it matters

Emmett Till's brutal murder in 1955 was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, and Harris-Till's visit provides an opportunity for the community to learn about this important history and legacy from a firsthand perspective.

The details

Harris-Till, the former president of the National Young Democrats, will be speaking about his cousin Emmett Till's life and the impact of his death, as well as Harris-Till's own work in securing the passage of the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act in 2022.

  • Harris-Till will be speaking in Bartlesville on February 23, 2026.

The players

Joshua Harris-Till

The cousin of the late Emmett Till and a dedicated civil rights advocate who helped pass the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act.

Emmett Till

The African American teenager whose brutal murder in 1955 was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.

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What they’re saying

“Emmett Till's murder was a tragedy that galvanized the civil rights movement, and I'm honored to share his legacy and my own work to continue the fight for justice.”

— Joshua Harris-Till, Cousin of Emmett Till (spotonoklahoma.com)

The takeaway

Harris-Till's visit to Bartlesville provides an invaluable opportunity for the community to learn about the civil rights movement's history and legacy from a firsthand perspective, inspiring continued efforts to fight for racial justice and equality.