Memphis to unveil country's first statue of Ida B. Wells during week of honoring her legacy Ida B. Wells' Celebration Week is officially underway. Wells was a trailblazing journalist and early civil rights activist. Author: Jalyn Souchek Updated: 5:12 PM CDT July 12, 2021 MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For the first time, Memphis will recognize Ida B. Wells' Celebration Week. The week dedicated to the trailblazing journalist and early civil rights activist will be highlighted by the unveiling of a statue of Wells. It'll be the first statue of her ever put up. It'll be at the corner of Beale Street and 4th Street next to the First Baptist Beale Street Church. In that church is where Wells ran her newspaper, the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight.