The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Commemorates the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Slate of Events
Virtual and in-person events for the whole family include interactive art, storytelling, and performances; galleries are open January 15 and 17 with health and safety protocols in effect ATLANTA, Ga. (Jan. 6, 2021) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) will honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy this holiday weekend with virtual and in- person events on Dr. King’s birthday (Saturday, January 15) and on MLK Day (Monday, January 17). Featured events include interactive storytelling, visual artist talkbacks, and activities throughout The Center’s galleries. “Dr. King’s belief in a beloved community is as relevant today as it was during the Civil Rights Movement,” said Jill Savitt, CEO of The Center. “This holiday is an opportunity for all of us to recommit ourselves to heed his call to build that beloved community—in our neighborhoods, city, state, and country. The Center’s 2022 King celebrations focus on arts and storytelling to inspire visitors of all ages to reflect on Dr. King’s vision of justice and equality, so that they may tap their power to change the world around them.” COVID-19 mitigation guidelines remain in place onsite including requiring masks for visitors, volunteers, and employees, as well as timed entry and limited capacity to reduce exposure. Review The Center’s protocols https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/health-safety- guidelines/. Hours and tickets are available at: https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/visit/. Special in- person events include: Friday, January 15 (Dr. King’s birthday) • Family Day activities in the galleries from 11 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. include interactive storytelling with children’s author Mama Koku and spoken word performances from Emmy-nominated poet Jon Goode in The Center’s Mezzanine, as well as visual artist talks from Savanah College of Art and Design students among the galleries. See www.civilandhumanrights.org/mlk-day-2022/ for the full schedule. Monday, January 17 (MLK Day) Radio One will broadcast live onsite from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. providing a soundtrack of soul stirring Hip Hop, R&B, and Gospel plus contests and trivia. Center permanent galleries and installations are open including Fragments (a stunning illuminated sculpture of King’s handwriting and phrases), the Voice to the Voiceless Gallery featuring the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, Rolls Down Like Water that immerses visitors in sights, sounds and interactive displays depicting the courage of groups and individuals working for equality for all during the American Civil Rights Movement; and Spark of Conviction, which enables visitors to make connections to the world of human rights. The Center’s digital exhibition We Share the Dream: King’s Beloved Community, examines Dr. King’s ideals behind his vision of the Beloved Community which provided a foundation of action for subsequent movements throughout the 1960’s and 70’s including women’s liberation, LGBTQ rights, and the labor movement. About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights The Center, founded in 2014, is a museum and human rights educational institution located in Atlanta, GA, the cradle of civil rights. We create dynamic and empathy- building experiences, teach history’s connection to the present, generate brave and difficult conversations about necessary issues, and inspire the change-maker in each of us to promote civil and human rights in our communities and the world. The Center connects the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s to global human rights movements for the rights of people of color, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, and other marginalized groups. Through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative, the Campaign for Equal Dignity, mission-based Institutes, expansive educational offerings, and immersive and engaging storytelling we inspire each of us to reflect and think critically, exercise empathy in action, and create positive change locally and globally. For more information about The Center, visit our website at civilandhumanrights.org. You can follow us on: Facebook @ctr4chr Twitter @ctr4chr Instagram @ctr4chr LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncchr
National Center for Civil and Human Rights provides free admission December 10, Human Rights Day, with support from The Home Depot Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE What: Free Admission Day to the general public to The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation. Tickets are available first come, first served and must be reserved at Covid protocols remain in place. All exhibitions are open, including the final weeks of A Better Life for their Children: Photography by Andrew Feiler. When: December 10 (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Where: National Center for Civil and Human Rights, 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Why: International Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), December 10, 1948 in the aftermath of World War II. The document established the principle that human rights are universal and that every segment of society has a responsibility to uphold them. The UDHR’s 30 articles outline these principles—from the right to free speech and voting to the right of an education, values that The Center shares as part of its mission. Since 2019, Home Depot has supported Free Admission days at The Center. Guests will have the opportunity to experience the final weeks of the temporary exhibition A Better Life for their Children: Photography by Andrew Feiler. Feiler’s extensive collection of photographs highlights the Rosenwald Schools program, a network of schools throughout the nation for black children who had no access to publicly funded education. Educator and leader Booker T. Washington and businessman Julius Rosenwald established the schools in the early 20th century. The Center’s permanent exhibitions will also be on display, such as Rolls Down Like Water, where visitors will be immersed in sights, sounds and interactive displays depicting the courage of groups and individuals working for equality for all during the American Civil Rights Movement; and Spark of Conviction, which enables visitors to make connections to the world of human rights. The Center continues to observe health and safety procedures to ensure visitors and staff remain safe amidst Covid-19, including personal protective equipment (PPE), temperature scanners, and automated admission kiosks. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and social distancing is enforced. Media Contacts: Shani Drake Duncan Director of Marketing & Public Engagement National Center for Civil and Human Rights [email protected] – James Richards Communications Consultant National Center for Civil and Human Rights [email protected] ######
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Provides Free Admission through Select Weekends in December with Support from Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Covid protocols remain in place. All exhibitions are open, including the final weeks of A Better Life for their Children: Photography by Andrew Feiler. ATLANTA, GA (December 2, 2021) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) will offer free admission to the public made possible by support from Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA). Tickets are available December 2 – 5; December 9, 11, and 12 (excluding Dec. 10); and December 16 – 19. PCNA has called Atlanta home for its North American headquarters since 1998 and supports local organizations that benefit children and families, education, and civil rights. The Center has partnered with PCNA since 2014. “Now more than ever, our exhibitions create powerful moments for visitors to reflect and understand how they can tap their own power to change the world,” said Jill Savitt, the Center’s President and CEO. “We are extremely grateful that Porsche Cars North America is underwriting free admission so more people can immerse themselves in the inspirational stories we tell about rights, dignity and justice.” Guests will have the opportunity to experience the final weeks of the temporary exhibition A Better Life for their Children: Photography by Andrew Feiler. Feiler’s extensive collection of photographs highlights the Rosenwald Schools program, a network of schools throughout the nation for black children who had no access to publicly funded education. Educator and leader Booker T. Washington and businessman Julius Rosenwald established the schools in the early 20th century. The Center’s permanent exhibitions will also be on display, such as Rolls Down Like Water, where visitors will be immersed in sights, sounds and interactive displays depicting the courage of groups and individuals working for equality for all during the American Civil Rights Movement; and Spark of Conviction, which enables visitors to make connections to the world of human rights. The Center continues to observe health and safety procedures to ensure visitors and staff remain safe amidst Covid-19, including personal protective equipment (PPE), temperature scanners, and automated admission kiosks. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and social distancing is enforced. Visitors are encouraged to reserve free admission tickets online at https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/porsche-free-days/. Free admission is based on a first come, first serve basis and tickets are subject to availability. About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights Founded in 2014, The Center is a museum and human rights educational institution located in Atlanta, GA, the cradle of civil rights. We create dynamic and empathy-building experiences, teach history’s connection to the present, generate brave and difficult conversations about necessary issues, and inspire the changemaker in each of us to promote civil and human rights in our communities and the world. The Center connects U.S. civil rights to global human rights movements for people of color, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ people, and the marginalized. Through our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative, the Campaign for Equal Dignity, mission-based Institutes, expansive educational offerings, and immersive and engaging storytelling, we inspire each of us to reflect and think critically, exercise empathy in action, and create positive change locally and globally. For more information about The Center, visit our website at www.civilandhumanrights.org. You can follow us on: Facebook @ctr4chr, Twitter @ctr4chr, Instagram @ctr4chr, and LinkedIn. About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche 911, 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman; Macan and Cayenne; and Panamera. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia since 1998, PCNA is also home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America featuring a module-based 1.6-mile driver development track, business center, and fine dining restaurant, 356. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. That 53-acre complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, and Restaurant 917. PCNA employs over 300 people who provide parts, service, marketing, and training for 190 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand’s 70-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date. Follow us: twitter.com/porsche | facebook.com/porsche For Porsche apps: https://www.porsche.com/usa/apps-and-entertainment/apps/ ### Contact: Shani Drake Director of Marketing & Public Engagement National Center for Civil and Human Rights [email protected] James Richards Communications Consultant National Center for Civil and Human Rights [email protected]
Veterans and Military Service Members Receive Free Admission to National Center for Civil and Human Rights with Support from The Home Depot Foundation
Service member families will also receive discounted admission during Veterans Day Weekend ATLANTA (Nov. 5, 2021) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) and The Home Depot Foundation are providing free admission to The Center for veterans on specific dates during Veterans Day Weekend. Thanks to the generosity of The Home Depot Foundation, military personnel can take advantage of free admission to The Center on Thursday, Nov. 11, Saturday, Nov. 13, and Sunday, Nov. 14. Friday, Nov. 12 is excluded from the sponsored free admission days. “The U.S. military upholds American ideals of freedom around the world,” said Jill Savitt, President & CEO of The Center. “Through our continued partnership with The Home Depot Foundation, we are honored to once again express our gratitude for service members’ bravery and sacrifice. At The Center, service members and veterans will be able to see the powerful stories of those democratic rights they serve courageously to advance.” Military veterans and all active duty and reserve military personnel will receive free admission to The Center with proper identification, such as a copy of form DD214, veteran ID card, driver’s license with veteran designation, or military ID card issued by the Armed Forces. Up to three accompanying family members per military guest will receive a 20% discount on admission. Tickets must be picked-up in person at The Center’s ticket window. The Center has implemented a number of new health and safety protocols to ensure a safer environment for visitors and staff. The Home Depot Foundation will also sponsor free admission for the general public on Human Rights Day, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. “The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of our nation’s veterans and their families,” expressed Shannon Gerber, Executive Director of The Home Depot Foundation. “This program and partnership with The Center helps us propel our mission, as well as honor veterans year-round. We’re hopeful the resources and experiences available at The Center will help educate and drive positive, sustainable change everywhere.” ### About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta is a cultural institution that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to the struggle for human rights around the world today. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King’s documents and personal items. Visitors will be immersed in experiential exhibits through powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue — hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. For more information, visit www.civilandhumanrights.org. Join the conversation on civil and human rights: facebook.com/ctr4chr/ | instagram.com/ctr4chr/ | twitter.com/Ctr4CHR About The Home Depot Foundation The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap and support communities impacted by natural disasters. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $375 million in veteran causes and improved more than 50,000 veteran homes and facilities. The Foundation has pledged to invest half of a billion dollars in veteran causes by 2025 and $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program. To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation visit HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and on Facebook and Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation. Contact: Shani Drake, Director of Marketing and Public Engagement [email protected] Keyaira McCauley, Digital Media and Public Relations Manager [email protected] James Richards, Media Consultant [email protected]
Creating The Change They Wish to See: LGBTQ Artists & Their Activism
by Sam Landis October is LGBTQ+ History Month, the intersection of two things I love – my LGBTQ+ community and history. In the LGBTQ+ community, we do not grow up learning our history in the U.S. Only a handful of states include it in their public school curriculums. This erasure of our existence is linked to the loneliness many LGBTQ+ people feel when coming of age. This is a time when we find we are different from our peers. We would benefit from historical examples to look to, yet school curriculums lack stories that mirror our own experiences. As far as most middle and high school history textbooks go, we do not exist. Even in the arts, a centuries-long refuge for LGBTQ+ individuals, where I found my profession as a graphic designer. For example, as I write this, I am listening to Tschaikowsky—whom I recently learned struggled with his own male desire. Textbook authors who withheld the story deny us the full picture of his life. To divorce his life and music from his sexuality not only erases part of his identity, but detracts from the meaning you can find in his art. As I listen to Tschaikowsky’s music now, I can feel that internal struggle he must have faced as a Queer person in the 19th century. We live in a moment when Pride is more mainstream than ever. Fortune 500 companies sponsor pride celebrations. Stores like Target stock up on rainbow merchandise leading into June. LGBTQ+ representation has expanded on TV, particularly in the last two decades, from early shows like The L-Word and Queer as Folk to Pose and Orange is the New Black. More shows center LGBTQ+ characters. Cis-centric shows with LGBTQ+ characters depict their relationships more fully, and ideas like marriage equality are established. During LGBTQ+ History Month, we must remember that a few decades ago, words like “gay” and “homosexual” were used only in hushed tones, if at all. Yet despite the stigma, there were some courageous enough to use their art to share their own queerness and activism with the world. Whether you are an LGBTQ+ person, an ally, or just someone curious to learn more about our beautiful community, my hope is to reveal the resilience of LGBTQ people as seen through the LGBTQ artists I have chosen to highlight. Frida Kahlo Like many artists, Frida Kahlo was far ahead of her time and was not appreciated in her life like she is revered now. Looking at Khalo’s work I’m captivated by her ability to speak to the intersections of her multitude of identities and experiences. Kahlo was the child of a German immigrant (her father) and indigenous Mexican (her mother). She was disabled for most of her life after an accident as a teenager when a steel bar went through her pelvis. She was a socialist/communist and workers’ rights activist. Khalo was also a women’s rights advocate, and—an LGBTQ icon. Kahlo had relationships with men and women, many iconic in their own right. They included her husband, muralist Diego Rivera, exiled political theorist Leon Trotsky, painter Georgia O’Keeffe, and photographer Nickolas Muray. She also experimented with her own gender identity and gender expression as documented in photographs and her self-portraits. These self-portraits reveal her interior world. As Frida says, “I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to better.” Through her brutally honest art, we see themes from her life and issues she championed: her indigenous heritage, her disability, addiction, class and race issues of the time, as well as conflicts of love and identity. To learn more about Frida Kahlo and see her work visit: artsandculture.google.com/partner/museo-frida-kahlo Gilbert Baker In 1978, Gilbert Baker conceived of a new symbol to represent the LGBTQ community, the rainbow flag, first displayed at San Francisco’s 1978 Gay Freedom Day Parade. The rainbow flag is a symbol our community still proudly uses today, with new interpretations being made throughout the years. “A rainbow flag was a conscious choice, natural and necessary. The rainbow came from the earliest history as a symbol of hope… a rainbow flag would be our modern alternative to the pink triangle.” – Gilbert Baker Baker’s original flag included eight colored stripes, each with its own symbolic meaning: Pink – Sex, Red – Life, Orange – Healing, Yellow – The Sun, Green – Nature, Turquoise – Art & Magic, Blue – Serenity, and Purple – The Spirit. The pink and turquoise stripes were later dropped due to the cost of dye for those colors, resulting in the better-known six-color design usually seen today. That first year, Baker secured $1,000 to create two flags. The funds were spent on 1,000 yards of muslin, 58 inches wide, 10 pounds of natural dye in eight colors, 100 pounds of salt and ash, and the rest was for art supplies. “The real connection to the public happens with confrontation at the boundaries of fear. Art is like a gun that way.” A lifelong activist, Gilbert Baker participated in protests against the Vietnam War, supported marijuana legalization efforts, and was involved in the gay-rights movement. Baker combined his gifts in the arts with his commitment to justice, using a range of mediums including sewing, painting, design, and performance. This fusion of mediums shine in Baker’s humorously satirical performance art collaborations with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The Sisters “use humor and wit to expose the forces of bigotry” and have raised millions of dollars for AIDS and LGBTQ+ causes since 1979. Baker continued creating innovative protest art until his death in 2017, but it is the rainbow flag that is his lasting legacy. “It was his gift to the world, he told me when the flag first went up that he knew at that moment it was his life’s work.” – Cleve Jones (The Founder of The AIDS Quilt) speaking about his friend to the New York Times after his death. To learn more about Gilbert Baker and his work visit: glbthistory.org/gilbert-baker Keith Haring “Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.” Keith Haring was a popular artist in the 1980’s and 90’s whose imaginative visual style captured the interest of a broad audience from art collectors to kids. Haring believed that art should be for
Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre Commemorates 115th Anniversary of Historic Tragedy
Coalition will launch a week of events examining the massacre beginning September 17 Atlanta, Ga. (September 10, 2021) A collaboration of Atlanta based organizations, the Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre (The Coalition), will mark the 115th anniversary of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, with 10 days of programming from Friday, September 17 to Sunday, September 26, 2021. The commemoration, called the “1906 Atlanta Race Massacre – Days of Remembrance” will recognize the four days of violence (9/22-25) perpetrated by white mobs who killed at least 25 Black men and women. The Coalition previously commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Atlanta Race Massacre, formerly known as the Atlanta Race Riot. The group honored victims and surviving family members, and successfully petitioned the Georgia Board of Education to add the Atlanta Race Riots to its eighth grade standards. The new coalition, along with local social justice, human rights, and education organizations, aims to continue its efforts. “Acknowledging the City of Atlanta’s historic tragedies can help build a climate of transformation while drawing important connections to current events,” said event organizers. The Massacre Leading up to September 22, 1906, The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta Journal, Atlanta Evening News, and Atlanta Georgian ran sensationalized and unproven articles about Black men assaulting white women. Over the next four days, more than five thousand white men attacked Black men, women and children, destroyed property, and murdered at least 25 Black men and women. Days after the massacre, a headline in The Atlanta Journal minimized the tragedy: “Atlanta is Herself Again; Business Activity Restored and the Riot is Forgotten.” None of the killers were convicted. Calendar of Events A summary of events, notable speakers, media contacts and Coalition Partners follows below. Full program and speakers are listed on The Coalition website 1906ATLRaceMassacre.org. Friday, September 17 – Sunday, September 19 City-Wide Remembrance by all Faiths. All Faith Leaders across the city are invited in their own places of Worship & Meditation to prayerfully Remember the Massacre and the present need for the healing of Reconciliation and Restoration. Sunday, September 19 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Equitable Dinners: Lift Every Voice, in partnership with Fulton County Remembrance Coalition: Anti-Racism and Local History with King Williams, Writer. Podcast Host. Wednesday, September 22 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. Fulton County Remembrance Coalition: “Honoring Resilience + Remembering Brownsville: A Silent Walk,” 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Panel Discussion – Remembrance: History of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre (live streamed). There will be a VIP Reception from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and live art performances. Thursday, September 23 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Panel Discussion – Reconciliation: Healing and Restorative Justice (live streamed). There will be a VIP Reception from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and live art performances. Friday, September 24 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Film Screening & Panel Discussion – Restoration: Rebuilding Black Main Street (live streamed). There will be Live Arts and a VIP Reception from 5 pm to 6 pm 8:00 pm – 11:59 pm. Networking Night with Conscious DJ Saturday, September 25 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Emory Arts and the NEA present Praise House Project: Remembrance as Resistance by Artist Charmaine Minniefield Sunday, September 26 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Emory Arts and the NEA present Praise House Project: Remembrance as Resistance by Artist Charmaine Minniefield Key speakers include: Dr. Mark Bauerlein (Negrophobia: the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot), Dr. Rodney Cohen (Black Colleges of Atlanta), Horace Henry (Gammon Theological Seminary), Thomas “TJ” Loftin (Monetizing Gentrification: Building Black Ownership), Charmaine Minniefield (New Freedom Project), Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado (Atlanta and the Civil Rights Movement: 1944-1968), André Thompson (Art by André), and Noah Washington (Playwright, Meadow Lark Productions). The Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre Primary Shatima Tankson [email protected] 404-809-6350 1906ATLRaceMassacre.org. Secondary Ann Hill-Bond [email protected] 678-938-8683 fultonremembrance.org Culture Centers International, Inc. Shatima Tankson [email protected] 404-809-6350 https://CultureCentersInternational.org Southern Truth and Reconciliation Veronica Hart, Ph.D. [email protected] 678-508-0880 https://southerntruth.net Fulton County Remembrance Coalition Ann Hill-Bond [email protected] 678-938-8683 fultonremembrance.org Equitable Dinners Adria Kitchens [email protected] 404-966-7708 https://www.outofhandtheater.com/equitable-dinners About The Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre Culture Centers International (CCI), was joined by Southern Truth and Reconciliation (STAR), and the Fulton County Remembrance Coalition (FCRC) to become The Coalition’s Convening Organizations. They were joined by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH); Emory Arts, Emory Art & Social Justice, and Emory Ethics and the Arts Program; Juneteenth Atlanta Parade & Music Festival; Chattahoochee Brick Company Descendants; Equitable Dinners, Emory University Civil Rights Cold Cases Project, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. ### ###
Disability Pride Month |Cara Yar Khan’s Story
July is Disability Pride Month and I, for one, am out, loud and proud. Like many of my peers with disabilities, disability pride is as much about the celebration of our lived experiences and our vibrant community as it is about raising awareness about our daily struggles. We are not victims. We need not be pitied. Our impairments are not the root cause of our exclusion, rather it is societal barriers (attitudinal, physical, institutional, etc.), big and small, that are disabling and keep us from being fully included. I grew up the first 30 years of my life without a disability, and in the past 15 years, I have done a 360 in how I think, engage and see myself as a woman with a disability (my preference is first-person language but I have started to also use identity-first language like disabled) whose identity has a rainbow of intersections, all of which play a role in my unique experience. What I am about to share is very much a personal account of living with a chronic illness and resulting physical disabilities. That’s not to say that other people with disabilities have not had similar experiences but we must always remember that there is no one-size-fits-all story when talking about the largest minority in the world of more than 1.3 billion diverse people who intersect every other dimension of diversity in every corner of the world: race, gender, sexual orientation, age, body size, level of education, socio-economic class, ethnicity, religion, nationality, culture, language and residence, just to name a few. Disability is the only minority group that every single human being can be a part of, and will experience at some point in their lives, for some period of time. That’s why I like the way one of our movement’s most iconic leaders, Judith Heumann, the protagonist of Netflix’s Crip Camp, refers to human beings as either disabled or non-disabled. Here is my story. Born in India and raised in Canada, I grew up non-disabled, the eldest daughter to an Indian Muslim-turned-Atheist father, an English Anglican mother, and a Chinese Buddhist step-mum. We predominantly speak English at home, but none of us say “eh”. I attended a Catholic high school (for the uniform) and our family gives presents for Christmas, Eid, and Lunar New Year. In my career with the United Nations, I’ve lived in ten countries on five continents. I speak a puzzle of several languages and hope to learn more. All of this variety has given me many teaching moments to experience different ways in which people eat, pray, love, and live. Universally, what we all have in common is that people just want to live a decent, safe, and happy life. In my late mid-twenties, during the months moving from Ecuador to Panama, I began to experience a series of inexplicable falls. Honestly, I thought it was my high heels, unable to manage cobblestones and broken pavements. Only a few years later, after too many doctors and even more tests, I was diagnosed with a rare orphan disease, a recessive (from both parents) genetic condition called hereditary inclusion body myopathy (HIBM), also known as GNE myopathy. It’s a progressive muscle-wasting disease that affects all of my 650 skeletal muscles from head to toe. HIBM is very rare. In the United States, there are less than 200 people, of all ethnicities, diagnosed and 2,000 worldwide. To date, there is no proven treatment or cure, and within 10 to 15 years of its onset, HIBM typically leads to severe incapacity. I’m 20 years into the progression and on-set quadriplegic, which is why I use a power wheelchair, affectionately known as Khaleesi, after my favorite Game of Thrones queen! When I am out in public, zipping around in my pink bedazzled Khaleesi, without fail a child will see me and is totally gobsmacked (British word for utterly astonished). Their eyes widen in awe as they point their little fingers at Khaleesi’s very cool wheels and exclaim out loud, “What’s that?” or “How come that lady drives that?” or “Can I have a ride?” The same thing used to happen when I previously sported a bright gold walker. The children’s excitement and curiosity are apparent, not to mention adorable. Unlike the innocent exhilarated kiddos, the adults accompanying them are instead, mortified! “Oh no honey, don’t look. Get out of the way. That’s not nice. Leave the poor lady alone,” they reply. And the hope of a potential ride on my very cool wheels drains from the poor little one’s face, along with my joy at their fascination. These interactions beg the question, if kids think I’m cool and want to check out with my assistive aids, when is it in our mental and social development that we begin to attach stigma and prejudice to people who appear different than us? Unfortunately, my experience tells me it’s taught to us by our parents, caregivers, and teachers— or at least that’s where it begins. Think about it. Kids are asking their simple, honest, curiosity-driven questions, which have no mal-intent or bias. But then an adult tells them to hush. This tells impressionable children that there is something wrong with not only their questions but also with me. There must be something terribly embarrassing about me or my condition if they’re not allowed to talk about it. My personal preference is that you tell the child honestly that you don’t know why I use a wheelchair and encourage them to come ask me their question themselves. I would be delighted to share. My confidence and pride have taken time to evolve. When I was first diagnosed, it took me five years to officially disclose (or declare) my disability to my employer. I was afraid that knowing the road that lay ahead of me, they would question my capacity to manage, and I’d lose my job. I was working in countries where polio had been common, so when I overheard someone say that they thought
National Center for Civil and Human Rights Debuts Limited Time Exhibition In Partnership with Coca-Cola and the Atlanta Braves
Free Admission for guests throughout the duration of the exhibition July 24 – August 1 sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation ATLANTA, GA (July 16, 2021) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center), in partnership with Coca-Cola and the Atlanta Braves, debuts “Moments of Courage,” a temporary exhibition that will run Saturday, July 24 – Sunday, Aug. 1 at The Center. Guests can experience this exhibit and all of The Center for FREE during the exhibition’s entire run thanks to the generosity of the Coca-Cola Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Coca-Cola and the Atlanta Braves to celebrate trailblazers for civil rights like Hank Aaron,” said Jill Savitt, CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. “Mr. Aaron’s unparalled achievements as a baseball player opened Americans’ eyes to the need for level playing fields so everyone can fulfill their potential.” “Moments of Courage” explores stories of influential black baseball players, including Hank Aaron, Marquis Grissom, and more, and how their careers impacted – and were impacted by – Atlanta’s civil rights movement. The Center will host this exhibition in its Glenn Room located on its first floor. The “Moments of Courage” exhibition coincides with the Atlanta Braves’ celebration of Hank Aaron Weekend presented by Delta Air Lines, July 30 – Aug. 1. On Sunday, Aug. 1, the first 15,000 fans through the Truist Park gates to see the Atlanta Braves take on the Milwaukee Brewers will receive a limited-edition Hank Aaron bobblehead. There will be three bobblehead designs, each representing a milestone in Aaron’s career, presented by Coca-Cola: 1952 Indianapolis Clowns, 1957 World Series Championship in Milwaukee, and 1974 715th home run. In addition to “Moments of Courage,” guests can explore The Center’s “Rolls Down Like Water” gallery, which presents the fight for civil rights in America in the 1950s and 1960s. This gallery was curated by Tony Award–winning playwright and film director George C. Wolfe, who most recently directed “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” on Netflix. The “Spark of Conviction” introduces visitors to contemporary global human rights issues and features courageous advocates and activists. The Center’s first floor houses the “Voice to the Voiceless” gallery, where visitors can view the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection—the personal papers and belongings of Dr. King. Guests can also join Coca-Cola in celebrating the legacy of Hank Aaron with this limited edition collectible bottle. Learn more on how you can help keep his ambition and spirit going, at CokeStore.com/Hank. Tickets must be reserved online in advance beginning Sunday, July 18. Ticket reservations will be available at this link ncchr.link/moc. Time slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The health and safety of our visitors, employees, and volunteers is our top priority. Learn more about our health and safety guidelines here. ### About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta is a cultural institution that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to the struggle for human rights around the world today. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King’s documents and personal items. Visitors will be immersed in experiential exhibits through powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue — hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. For more information, visit www.civilandhumanrights.org. Join the conversation on civil and human rights: facebook.com/ctr4chr/ | instagram.com/ctr4chr/ | twitter.com/Ctr4CHR About The Coca-Cola Company The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, smartwater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. About Atlanta Braves Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves are the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Since 1991, Braves teams have earned two National League wild cards, 18 division championships, five National League pennants, and a World Series title. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. Radio broadcasts can be heard in Atlanta on 680 The Fan (AM), Rock 100.5 (FM) and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. Follow the Braves at braves.com, facebook.com/braves, and twitter.com/braves. Contact: Shani Drake, Director of Marketing and Public Engagement [email protected] Keyaira McCauley, Digital Media and Public Relations Manager [email protected] James Richards, Media consultant [email protected]
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Names Lance Wheeler as Director of Exhibitions
A published historian and public community curator, Wheeler brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with civil rights and community-focused organizations ATLANTA, GA (June 30, 2021) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) welcomes Lance Wheeler as its new Director of Exhibitions. Working with Dr. Calinda Lee, Head of Programs & Exhibitions, Wheeler will focus on developing the institution’s curatorial vision. As caretaker for The Center’s permanent and temporary exhibitions, Wheeler will create dynamic, aesthetically engaging displays that reflect The Center’s mission. “I want to curate opportunities for all who enter to leave with something impactful. This journey should be spiritual; a visitor should have dialogue, spoken and unspoken, with the physical space,” said Wheeler. “Artifacts are living and breathing things. They carry with them stories both told and untold. My ultimate goal as Director of Exhibitions for NCCHR is to establish an experience where visitors feel like the most essential piece to the puzzle—it is the visitor that makes any exhibition come most alive.” Wheeler has worked with a number of community-focused and civil rights organizations such as the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute. He also participated as a thought leader for the National Day of Racial Healing for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where he discussed the vital therapeutic role museums have in communities. Currently, Lance serves on the council for the Southeastern Museum Conference and is the Committee Chair for Emerging Museum Professionals for the Association of African American Museums. Lance is also an active member of the American Association for State and Local History. He is published in the Museological Review and Inside Southeastern Museum Conference. ### About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta is a cultural institution that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to the struggle for human rights around the world today. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King’s documents and personal items. Visitors will be immersed in experiential exhibits through powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue — hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. For more information, visit www.civilandhumanrights.org. Join the conversation on civil and human rights: facebook.com/ctr4chr/ | instagram.com/ctr4chr/ | twitter.com/Ctr4CHR Contact: Shani Drake, Director of Marketing and Public Engagement [email protected] Keyaira McCauley, Digital Media and Public Relations Manager [email protected] James Richards, Media consultant [email protected]
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Commemorates Juneteenth with New Performances for the Entire Family
Deluxe partners with The Center to create Juneteenth programming and resources that explore the end of slavery in the U.S. through music, dance, and culinary arts (June 15, 2021; Atlanta, GA) The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) will honor Juneteenth with engaging family programming in partnership with financial services company, Deluxe. On Friday, June 18 The Center will feature two programs: From Power to Power: A New Day of Freedom, a performance-based piece created in conjunction with Nikki Toombs and performers from her A La Carte Theatre Company Jubilee: A Juneteenth Experience, focused on the historical significance of music and recipes to celebrations of the Juneteenth holiday Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. The portmanteau “Juneteenth” was created from the words “June” and “nineteenth,” which marks the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to gain control of the state and ensure all enslaved people were freed in 1865, two-and-a-half years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. The Center’s programs will explore the historical significance of Juneteenth and generate awareness around cultural expression around this day. Jill Savitt, President & CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights explains the importance of recognizing and celebrating the Juneteenth holiday. “Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery as well as the resilience and solidarity of the Black community. We honor it as one of the most historically consequential days in our country’s history, a day of triumph for human dignity over oppression. We also mark it as a day to recommit ourselves to confronting the legacies of racism in all its forms.” Deluxe’s support for these programs is part of its renewed focus on contributing to solutions to improve racial equity, says company leaders. On Juneteenth, employees participate in service projects and visit cultural institutions to reflect on the historical contributions of Black Americans, and the ongoing work to eradicate slavery’s legacy of racism in America. “Juneteenth is a day of celebration, service, and reflection upon what our forefathers and foremothers endured for our freedom,” said Paquel Austin, Vice President, Quality Engineering and Release Management at Deluxe & Lead for the company’s African American Employee Resource Group. “The Center aligns with our “One Deluxe” values of inclusivity, diversity, and equity. We share The Center’s mission to advance equitable civil and human rights for all people regardless of their differences,” said Austin. For more information about The Center’s Juneteenth programming and to register, visit this link. Note, The Center will be open on Juneteenth from 10 am-5 pm. For The Center’s up-to-date safety procedures and protocols, visit this link. ### About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights The National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta is a cultural institution that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to the struggle for human rights around the world today. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King’s documents and personal items. Visitors will be immersed in experiential exhibits through powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue — hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. For more information, visit www.civilandhumanrights.org. Join the conversation on civil and human rights: facebook.com/ctr4chr/ | instagram.com/ctr4chr/ | twitter.com/Ctr4CHR About Deluxe Corporation Deluxe, a Trusted Payments and Business Technology™ company, helps businesses pay, get paid, optimize and grow. For more than 100 years, Deluxe has championed businesses so communities thrive at all stages of their lifecycle, from start-up to maturity. Our powerful solutions support millions of small businesses, thousands of financial institutions and hundreds of the world’s most valuable brands. The company operates at significant scale, processing more than $2.8 trillion in annual payment volume. To learn how we can help your business, visit us at www.deluxe.com, www.facebook.com/deluxecorp, www.linkedin.com/company/deluxe, or www.twitter.com/deluxe. Contact: Shani Drake, Director of Marketing and Public Engagement [email protected] Keyaira McCauley, Digital Media and Public Relations Manager [email protected] James Richards, Media Consultant [email protected]