I Was Just Thinking…Lingering praise for Marion Ernest McMillan Jr.

How do you capture a hero’s life in one sitting?

By: Norma Adams-Wade

Now that they both have joined the ancestors, it’s not hard to compare the significant life journeys of these two local and national civil and human rights icons — Congressman John Lewis and human rights crusader Marion Ernest “Ernie” McMillan Jr.

In a rare public feat, McMillan’s memorial was held Saturday May 2, 2026 at the stunningly impressive, $80 million John Lewis Social Justice Academy at O.W. Holmes,

2001 E. Kiest Blvd. The new structure was first discussed and renamed in 2021, opened in August 2025, and formally dedicated three months later in November. McMillan died March 27, 2026 at age 81 after a compelling life of public service and wide-spread human rights activism.

Like many other news reporters eyeing people who make a difference, I was compelled to pay special attention to McMillan’s actions and public contributions that now are noticeably similar to Lewis — the hero who inspired the naming of the location where McMillan’s memorial was held. Lewis and McMillan were untiring warriors who did not disappoint as they fought injustice, oppression and inequality against people of their and other cultures around the world.

Widespread tributes for McMillan

Print, broadcast and social media widely commented on the significance of McMillan’s life when he died unexpectedly recently after a quiet stroke and cancer battle. I and others considered him a friend as well as a news source. With his captivating personality, it was almost impossible to avoid his magnetic human appeal.

If you paid attention to the various reports about his life, you already know that Ernie descended from a long line of distinguished public servants who fight for the rights of the downtrodden and underprivileged. His mother, activist Eva “Mama Mac” Partee McMillan; his physician grandfather Dr. Walter McMillan — who founded a trailblazing hospital that served early African Americas in Dallas; his father McMillan Sr., a minister; his siblings and their children who have carried on the family’s penchant for service and achievement.

McMillan’s personal impact

Ernie used up his life striving to make existence better for others. He refused to ignore cruelties and injustices that we humans have imposed on others throughout history. His life chapters include strong leadership in high school and college, early involvement in civil and human rights organizations including Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and National Black United Front. He was a youth mentor and community organizer.

He later was a fugitive in African, Canada and France before the FBI located and arrested him and he served prison time for his activism that spanned from civil, human, voting rights battles to anti-war, anti-apartheid, prison rights protests, and environmental advocacy.

Many local and national media outlets paid tributes and chronicled his life after his recent death. But I was just thinking…how does one really capture the fulness of such life forces as Ernie McMillan and John Lewis? Their lives overflowed with service, humility, fire, and unending dedication. Try as we may with our written and spoken words, we fail the true essence — no matter how hard we try.

Parallels to civil rights icon John Lewis

The new Lewis Academy’s majesty is breathtaking as a tribute to the U. S. Congressman and civil rights hero who devoted his life to social justice through his “good trouble” philosophy.

A giant mural displays his face above the academy’s main entrance. Once inside, it takes little time to see the parallels between the dedicated lives of Lewis and McMillan Jr. The school is across the street from a library where the May 2, 2026 Joint and Special Elections were happening. Various speakers at McMillan’s memorial urged the audience to honor McMillan’s hard work for voting rights by making a point to vote that day.

McMillan is one of the first local heroes honored in huge wall murals outside the school auditorium where his memorial was held. His wall mural depicts his image and synopsis of his social justice achievements. Memorial flowers were placed near the mural. Other wall murals near the auditorium also include Eva McMillian, Hector Flores, Rev. Peter Johnson and other social justice honorees. Niece and theater artist Anyika McMillan-Herod paid tribute through a poignant farewell poem that subtly suggested her uncle’s parallel to icon Lewis: “He was dropped into this blue beautiful world that had become overrun by cruelty,” the poem stated in part referencing McMillan. “…He raised his consciousness and his fists as his legs carried him toward “GOOD TROUBLE” building community wherever he walked.”

Comments at memorial service

A central theme among speakers was that we who remain must carry forward the work  to which McMillan and his family predecessors devoted their lives. Among comments were these:

1) Bishop Richard Sanders of Compton, CA in his prayer: “(We are) dealing with mixed feelings, mixed emotions. …Don’t let (McMillan’s many future plans) stop here.”

2) Dominique Alexander, local activist: Spoke briefly about the rare victory of getting approval to have McMillan’s memorial in the school building. “This institution (highlighting social justice training) was created for people like Ernie McMillan.”

3) Maxie Johnson, Dallas City Council member and former DISD trustee: He agreed with Alexander about the location of the memorial. “It’s right to have this service here.”

4) Byron Sanders, DISD District 5 trustee: He explained how as a youth, he did not know about McMillan and many local Black heroes until Dallas Black community leader and arts matron Vicki Meek, who was in the audience, educated him about those icons. “Many of us (our people) suffer from ‘invisibleness,’ ” Sanders said.

5) Rev. A. O. Ferguson: “Ernie was unconventional. He did things his own way.”

6) A former Dallas Black Panther member: Recalled how before meeting Ernie in person, he anticipated approaching a kingly authoritarian. Instead, he met a down-to-earth friendly man helping to paint a wall at a South Dallas out-reach center. “Grab a brush,” he said Ernie told him smiling. Right then, he was drawn to the activist’s unimposing charisma.

7) David Lozano, local theater and Latinx culture leader: Recalled how Ernie’s gift as a youth mentor stood out while he worked with youth at Cara Mia Theatre in Dallas. “At the end of four weeks, these young people were glowing.”

8) Diane Ragsdale, former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem: Urged audience to carry on McMillan’s work, “Rest well, my friend. We got this! … We who believe in freedom cannot rest.”

9) Henry Wells Jr., a cousin gave the eulogy: He described Ernie’s high school and college leadership feats as an unavoidable family trait. “They were all activists,” Wells said. He recalled how he met important civil and human rights leaders through Ernie, including John Lewis, Julian Bond, and Kwame Ture, sometimes spelled Touré and previously named Stokely Carmichael. He recalled the FBI questioning him in Canada seeking information about Ernie’s whereabout while Ernie was a fugitive from civic rights prison sentences.

10) Ernie’s children and other relatives spoke of his love of family and the now-gone Freedmen’s Town State/Thomas area where he grew up – one of Dallas’ signature historic early Black communities.

Dallasite Norma Adams-Wade is a Texas Metro News senior correspondent, The Dallas Morning News retired writer, and a National Association of Black Journalists founder.