In this year of political activity leading up to yet another set of political conventions, nominations and elections; there is a play depicting the struggles of one Black woman to gain the right for African Americans to vote and be involved in the political process will make a countrywide performance and a voter’s registration tour.

The play, The Fannie Lou Hamer Story, depicts a woman who defined the term “freedom fighter”. “Born into Mississippi sharecropping poverty, at the beginning of the last century. The work of Fannie Lou Hamer during the turbulent 1960’s promoting voter registration with the student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and her deep commitment to grass-roots anti-poverty projects made her a central figure in the civil rights movement.

Hamer’s eloquence as a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and her telling the story of a horrific beating she endured at the hands of white jailers before the Credentials Committees of the 1964 Democratic Convention, brought her to national attention and eventually succeeded in electing many blacks to national office in Mississippi. If you’ve ever uttered or heard the phrase “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired” – thank Fannie Lou Hamer.

After seeing an interview with 60’s civil rights legend Fannie Lou Hamer, singer/actress mZuri, embarked upon a mission to spread a message and make people aware of an icon whose name many have heard, but know all too little about.

For mZuri, who played the role of “Lucy” in the 1993 independent movie “Sankofa and sang on cabaret stages in New York and Paris for about 10 years, seeing the interview on locally produced television program was like being hit with a bolt of lightning. “I heard the name Fannie Lou Hamer;” said the performance artist that goes by only one name, “I knew she was somehow involved in civil rights, but I didn’t know anything about what she has done.”

mZuri was spurred to do further research, wrote and produced the one-woman play in which she stars. The Fannie Lou Hamer Story has thrilled thousands since its first performance in 2001 at The New Yorican Poet's Cafe and Yale University. The following year play received the 2002 AUDELCO "VIV" Award for Best Solo Performance. The show has appeared at venues like the Clarence Muse Cafe' Theatre in Dallas Texas, Dennison College, Princeton University, and Tougaloo College in Hamer's home state of Mississippi.

mZuri makes the presentation blossom with her powerful singing voice; a voice actress Mary Alice says is "like she has microphone in her throat." On stage she sings an array of religious and freedom songs that were some of Hamer's favorites including her signature song "This Little Light of Mine."

"This is what Fannie was about, enfranchisement for all, I want as many people as possible to experience the truth and the beauty that was in this woman's heart and soul, and make it easily possible to participate in what she fought for, "says mZuri.

The countrywide tour includes a voter registration booth at all performances. The CD of songs and the DVD of the performance are also be available. The cities on the tour are constantly being added. Contact the booking office to schedule a performance.