LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Tuesday, the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission led events marking the anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
They, along with community members and kids from Thrasher Boys and Girls Club celebrated.
"Because of the Civil Rights Act, our country started to become a fairer place," said Tiffany Pettis with the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.
That's why the organization came together to celebrate this day and hosted a march at the Thrasher Boys and Girls Club in Little Rock.
"It says that no one can be treated differently because of their race, color, religion, gender, or where they come from," Pettis said.
The commission's goal is to teach that to the younger generation.
"We've launched two great programs today. Relaunched them. It's called the LEAD program, which lands for leadership, education, and acceptance of diversity. Also, our dream keepers program, which is more of our younger crowd of youth, and to be able to exemplify that leadership of Dr. King, to become change agents in ages of change," said DuShun Scarbrough, Executive Director of the Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission.
Ida Wells said the Civil Rights Act of 1964 changed her life.
"I'm a businesswoman, an African American businesswoman, because of that law," Wells added.
She said she's thankful for all the changes that came along with the law.
"It's really a celebration of freedom, opportunities, gains, jobs, and most importantly, again, women's rights," she added. "Sixty years later, that is very groundbreaking to me."
Wells hopes the next generation continues to learn about history and follow their dreams.
"It's impressive and important for me to see the young people learn today what the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was, and that the opportunities are there for them. They just got to go out and get it and realize this dream and know about that very important act," she said.