Evers is nearly a lifelong resident of the deep South state of Mississippi, whose racial mores are probably the most conservative in the nation, and whose lynchings and other violence toward Black people is notorious.
Evers has fearlessly spoken out against racism and racial violence all his life. But Evers has always seen the good in the White people of Mississippi. He has never wanted to live elsewhere.
Over the next 5 years, he repeatedly risked his life to sign up thousands of new Black voters.
He has also served as an informal advisor to a diverse collection of politicians, many of whom have had little use for each other . These include Lyndon Johnson, Robert Kennedy, George Wallace and Ronald Reagan.
In 1997, Charles Evers published a memoir 'Have No Fear', written with assistance from Andrew Szanton.
He has been an entrepreneur as well, and -- unlike many in the civil rights movement -- a pioneer in linking Black political progress to Black economic progress.
This is hagiography, not an encyclopedia article. "Various shady enterprises" - what a crock! If you mean illegal, say so - or better still, be more specific and let us make our own minds up about whether the ends justified the means. Until somebody tones down the sugar, there's no way in the world this can be brilliant prose. I would like to help, but I don't know much about this guy. --Robert Merkel