Fifty-Seven years ago, Biloxi’s beaches were restricted to white persons only. In 1960, local African American residents led by physician, Dr. Gilbert Mason, Sr., waded into the waters of the Mississippi Sound, to challenge the beach segregation, triggering a riot by white residents. Federal officials intervened with litigation that desegregated the beach. To commemorate the participants and educate the public, a ceremony will take place on April 20, 2017 at 5:30pm at Gruich Community Center, Biloxi, MS.