Artists as History Trackers: Using Art to Tell the Stories That Matter
By: Daniel Fuller, Director of Curation At the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, we’re dedicated to telling stories rooted in struggle, resistance, dignity, and hope. One of the most powerful ways we do that is through art. Artists are, and always have been, history trackers. They capture the emotional temperature of a moment, the psychological impact of injustice, and the tension between what is and what could be. Their work can whisper or scream, hold contradictions, and ask questions many are afraid to pose. For an institution like ours, this kind of work is invaluable. Art offers an entry point. It invites people in, often when history itself is hard to face. It creates a different kind of learning space—one that’s experiential, reflective, and emotional. A sculpture can make visible the weight of labor. A painting can tell a story the textbooks left out. An installation can recreate the feeling of displacement, protest, or hope. When we show contemporary work in a history museum, we’re not just illustrating the past—we’re showing how the past lives on in the present. We’re giving space to artists who are continuing the legacy of civil rights through their practice. We’re saying that the story didn’t end in 1965. It’s still unfolding. This shift—from curating what’s new to curating what remembers—has reshaped how I think about my work. And more importantly, it’s expanded the ways our museum can connect with our community. We can still teach history. But we can also feel it. We can still honor the past. But we can also amplify the artists who keep it vitally relevant to the present. We can still tell the truth, but now we can do it in more ways: through image, gesture, beauty, pain, and everything in between. Art doesn’t just illustrate history. It carries it. And that’s why it belongs here.
NCCHR Announces Truth-Telling Fellowship Microgrant Winners
Atlanta, Georgia – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is proud to announce the recipients of the Truth-Telling Fellowship Microgrant, a program dedicated to truth-telling, memorialization, and community healing in Georgia. Focused on the historical and ongoing impacts of forced labor, convict leasing, and criminal justice, this fellowship provides critical support to individuals working to uncover history and foster meaningful dialogue. Along with mentorship and guidance, each fellow will receive a microgrant of $1,000–$2,500 to develop community-centered projects, including memorials, public events, and educational initiatives. Through these efforts, the fellowship aims to uplift historically silenced stories and inspire collective action for justice. “These fellows are doing the crucial work of uncovering hard truths and fostering spaces for reflection, healing, and change,” said Darrin Sims, director of the Truth + Transformation program. “We’re proud to support their efforts and excited to see the impact of their projects.” For more information and to meet the Truth-Telling Fellowship winners, visit here. About the Truth + Transformation program NCCHR’s Truth + Transformation program works to uncover Atlanta’s suppressed legacy of racial terror, forced labor, and systemic racism. They aim to build a nuanced understanding of systematic disenfranchisement, centering individual narratives (historic and current) and convening practitioners to lay the groundwork for effective community mobilization. Visit their website at civilandhumanrights.org/tandt About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum and cultural organization that inspires the changemaker in each of us. Founded in 2014, the Center connects the US civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s to global human rights movements for the rights of people of color, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and more. Our experiences highlight people who have worked to protect rights and who model how individuals create positive change. For more information, visit our website at civilandhumanrights.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @ctr4chr, and LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncchr. Media Contact: Tenisha Griggs Senior Marketing Director National Center for Civil and Human Rights [email protected]
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights Announces Partnership with Norfolk Southern
Media Contact: Tenisha Griggs Senior Director, Marketing National Center for Civil and Human Rights [email protected] ATLANTA (March 14, 2025) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights announced a new partnership with Norfolk Southern Corporation, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing education, human dignity, and civil rights. Norfolk Southern has pledged $500,000 to support the Center’s two-wing expansion, helping to broaden its national impact as a leading cultural institution for civil and human rights education and engagement. Norfolk Southern’s gift secures naming for the Freedom Room, one of three new classrooms in the Center’s Shirley Clarke Franklin Pavilion, the new wing on the Center’s east side. The Center is currently closed for construction as it undergoes its 24,000-square-foot expansion, which includes new galleries, educational spaces, and interactive experiences designed to connect history to the present. This Center is scheduled to reopen this Fall with a celebratory ribbon-cutting event. “We were founded to help people understand history’s relevance in our present time, and Norfolk Southern’s commitment allows us to bring that mission to life in meaningful new ways,” said Jill Savitt, CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. “Our partnership with Norfolk Southern ensures that the Center will be an even more powerful space for education, dialogue, and action — one that prepares people to become engaged within their communities.” Norfolk Southern has been a longstanding partner of the Center, focused on strategic philanthropy that drives meaningful impact and plays a vital role in expanding the Center’s capacity to educate and inspire action. “At Norfolk Southern, we believe in the power of community, education, and advocacy,” said Kristin Wong, Norfolk Southern Community Impact Director. “Our partnership with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights reflects that commitment. We look forward to seeing how these enhanced spaces will inspire visitors and deepen the understanding of civil rights history.” Transforming the Future of Human Rights Education In addition to three new classrooms, the Center’s expansion fulfills its founders’ original vision of spaces that immerse visitors in civil and human rights history while equipping them to take meaningful action. Other new spaces include: Dynamic classrooms – Three advanced learning spaces, including the Freedom Room. Hands-on experiences – An Activation Lab where visitors create personalized civic engagement plans. Collaborative spaces – 5,000+ square feet for community discussions and training. Immersive exhibits – A Family Gallery to inspire young changemakers, a Reconstruction-era display titled “Broken Promises,” and a Special Exhibitions Gallery for rotating collections. The Power of Partnership in Creating Change The National Center for Civil and Human Rights exists to inspire the changemaker in each of us. Through partnerships like this, the Center continues to evolve from a beloved Atlanta landmark into a national institution dedicated to education, training, and community engagement. “If the arc of the moral universe is going to bend toward justice, we must pull together,” added Savitt. “These partnerships — these commitments — are what drive our mission forward and ensure that the Center remains a powerful force for truth, transformation, and progress.” About Norfolk Southern Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com. About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum and cultural organization that inspires the changemaker in each of us. Founded in 2014, the Center connects the US civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s to global human rights movements for the rights of people of color, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and more. Our experiences highlight people who have worked to protect rights and who model how individuals create positive change. For more information, visit our website at civilandhumanrights.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @ctr4chr, and LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncchr.
NCCHR Names New Wing for Former Mayor Shirley Franklin
Contact: Tenisha Griggs Senior Marketing Director National Center for Civil and Human Rights [email protected] ATLANTA (February 27, 2025) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) will name one of its new wings for its visionary founder, former Mayor Shirley Clarke Franklin. NCCHR surprised the former mayor with this announcement on Thursday, February 27, 2025, as part of its Power to Inspire dinner, where Franklin was honored for her lifetime of leadership. Franklin was the Chair of NCCHR’s board of directors since its inception until January 2024. The annual Power to Inspire event celebrates those who have made a significant contribution to protecting the rights of others. The new Shirley Clarke Franklin Pavilion, on the building’s east side, will provide 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for classrooms, performances, and events. The wing’s roof will accommodate a new ticketing booth and outdoor event space. “Mayor Franklin’s commitment to education and the relevance of history in our lives today will now be memorialized on our building,” said Jill Savitt, NCCHR’s president and CEO. “This expansion fulfills her original vision and celebrates her commitment to human rights and dignity.” Egbert Perry, NCCHR’s Board Chair and Chairperson and CEO of The Integral Group, LLC, said: “Leading the acquisition of the Morehouse College Collection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Papers, which are displayed at the Center for all of us to study, is an enduring part of Mayor Franklin’s legacy. She had the foresight to create a place where we can learn about the history of rights in America.” The expansion is a $56.6 million project. To date, NCCHR has raised $53.8 million, leaving $2.8 million to raise. The facility is currently closed for construction and will reopen in Fall 2025. During its temporary closure, NCCHR will continue to host programs in the community and pursue its educational work with schools. The other new wing, on the west side of the building, will be named for Arthur M. Blank, as has been previously announced. That wing will be called Arthur M. Blank Inspiration Hall. It will house a café and three new galleries: A Family Gallery for children under 12, designed as a Change Agents Headquarters, will feature immersive, hands-on experiences to inspire interest in rights and justice for a new generation. A gallery that tells the history of the Reconstruction Era and its legacy, called Broken Promises, will include artifacts from the Without Sanctuary collection. A Special Exhibitions Gallery will host rotating, traveling, and temporary exhibitions. Enhancements to the current building will include: A reimagined gallery that displays selected artifacts from the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection. A new Activation Lab for visitors to reflect on how to tap their power to protect rights and make positive changes in their communities. Expansion of popular installations such as the lunch counter sit-in experience. Updates to the permanent civil and human rights exhibits. The 20,000-square-foot expansion will bring the total size of the building to 62,000 square feet. About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights NCCHR is a museum and cultural organization that inspires the changemaker in each of us. Founded in 2014, NCCHR connects the US civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s to global human rights movements for the rights of people of color, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and more. Our experiences highlight people who have worked to protect rights and who model how individuals create positive change. For more information, visit our website at civilandhumanrights.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, @ctr4chr, and LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncchr.
The Women’s Political Council: The Hidden Force Behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest for violating segregation laws heightened public awareness of the Civil Rights Movement and elevated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from his role as pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church to prominent spokesman for the movement. While Parks and King are widely recognized, the contributions of the over 200 Black women of the Women’s Political Council (WPC) and activists like Claudette Colvin traditionally received little to no attention in the storytelling until recently. Led by Alabama State University professor Jo Ann Robinson, the WPC played a crucial role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. The group printed and distributed 35,000 leaflets, organized carpools, and facilitated mass meetings. In 1949, Robinson had been subjected to a verbal attack by a public bus driver for sitting in the “whites only” section of a nearly empty bus. She presented the idea of a boycott to WPC founder and president Mary Fair Burks in 1950 but was advised to forget her plans as segregated buses were seen as a fact of life in Montgomery. Upon assuming the presidency of the WPC later that year, Robinson prioritized the desegregation of the city’s buses and met with Montgomery Mayor William A. Gayle and Montgomery City Hall leaders to discuss her concerns, but neither the mayor nor the leaders were interested in her ideas. Robinson also met with the Montgomery City Commission and was promised better treatment of Black citizens on Montgomery buses but was told that segregation would continue. Robinson continued planning the boycott and, after the 1954 Brown v. The Board of Education, Topeka, Kansas decision, informed the mayor that the boycott was inevitable. On March 2, 1955, months before Rosa Parks’ arrest, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin also refused to give up her seat. She was arrested, but civil rights leaders did not publicize her case, citing her young age, pregnancy, and darker complexion as factors. Instead, leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) arranged for Parks to be the face of the Montgomery Bus Boycott by preparing her to refuse to give up her seat. Following Parks’ arrest, the WPC organized a one-day bus boycott on December 5, 1955. Its success led to an extended boycott, and several members of the Black community came together to form the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), electing Martin Luther King, Jr. as president. The MIA demanded an end to all public transportation segregation, the hiring of Black bus drivers, and the respectful treatment of Black riders. Robinson was offered but did not accept a position with the MIA. She did, however, quietly support the organization’s efforts. Robinson was also arrested, along with other Black boycotters, several times, and her car was destroyed with acid by Montgomery police officers. Two months after the boycott began, civil rights attorneys filed Browder v. Gayle, challenging Montgomery’s segregation laws as violations of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The District Court decided 2-1 that Montgomery’s bus segregation laws were unconstitutional. Both the City of Montgomery and the State of Alabama appealed, but the Supreme Court upheld the decision on November 13, 1956, officially ending the boycott and marking a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement. Further Reading The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Women Who Started It: The Memoir of Jo Ann Gibson Robinson by Jo Ann Robinson Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose Women in the Civil Rights Movement: Trailblazers and Torchbearers, 1941-1965; Edited by Vicki L. Crawford, Jacqueline Anne Rouse, Barbara Woods
The History of Black History Month
Black History Month was first observed as Negro History Week in February 1926, but the inspiration for the commemoration began over a decade earlier through a steady stream of electrifying events, discoveries, and other celebrations of Black excellence. In 1915, American historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson attended the national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation in Washington D.C. This event was widely attended and proved to be profoundly inspiring for Dr. Woodson who, later that year, joined forces with A. L. Jackson, William B. Hartgrove, George Cleveland Hall, and James E. Stamps to establish the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH 2024). ASALH had the ambitious goal of educating the public about the achievements, inventions, and progress made by Black Americans, and though the Association’s intellectual efforts were remarkable – they began to publish The Journal of Negro History in 1916 and founded Negro History and Literature Week in 1924 – Dr. Woodson had a wider vision of his mission. Wishing to continue to discover and celebrate the history of the Black past, Dr. Woodson announced the celebration of Negro History Week through a press release. Accounts of the contributions of Black Americans were notably absent from history books, credited to white men, or omitted altogether. Progressive communities and schools were ripe for the rich history that Negro History Week offered. Matching the popularity of the week, Woodson and the Association established an annual theme for the celebration to guide and inspire educators. Weary of those simply wishing to capitalize on a popular event, “Woodson warned teachers not to invite speakers who had less knowledge than the students themselves” (ASALH 2024). Additionally, ASALH expanded their offerings to provide study materials: pictures, lessons for teachers, plays for historical performances, and posters of important dates and people. This cemented the celebration of Black history in schools and communities, and Negro History Week grew in popularity throughout the following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday. Negro History Week grew into Black History Month in 1970 under the leadership of Black educators and students at Kent State University and would become a federally recognized event six years later. President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976 during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history” (Franklin 2022). Today, nearly one hundred years after that initial celebration, it is prudent to reflect on the designed purpose of Black History Month and discover that after all this time, these lessons are still relevant, inspiring, and necessary. As Dr. Woodson said, “Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better” (Woodson 1933). Pictured: Dr. Carter G. Woodson, The “father of Black history” Photo Credit: Addison Norton Scurlock, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Bibliography ASALH. 2024. The Founders of Black History Month: The Origins of Black History Month. December 18. Accessed January 16, 2025. asalh.org/about-us/origins-of-black-history-month/. ASALH. 2024. Carter G. Woodson Timeline: ASALH – the Founders of Black History Month. December 19. Accessed January 16, 2025. asalh.org/carter-g-woodson-timeline/. Franklin, Jonathan. 2022. Here’s the Story behind Black History Month – and Why It’s Celebrated in February. February 1. Accessed January 16, 2025. www.npr.org/2022/02/01/1075623826/why-is-february-black-history-month. Woodson, Carter G. 1933. The Mis-Education of the Negro. Trenton: Africa World Press.
NCCHR selected to join Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator Program
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights will join a cohort of 200 nonprofit cultural organizations from across the U.S. and U.K. to improve essential digital infrastructure. Today, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights announced that it has been selected to join the Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator Program. This initiative helps cultural organizations across the U.S. and U.K. to strengthen technology and management practices to improve operations, drive revenue, increase fundraising, engage broader audiences, and deliver dynamic programming. “Our participation in Bloomberg Philanthropy’s program comes at a crucial time for our institution,” said Jill Savitt, CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. “We are currently in an expansion campaign, adding two new wings – and four new galleries – to our museum. This grant will help us create a digital presence that keeps pace with our physical one.” Over the past three years, the Digital Accelerator Program has been a catalyst for strengthening nearly 150 cultural organizations across the U.S. and U.K. To date, the 40 institutions that were part of the first cohort cumulatively grew an additional $20 million in new revenue including through fundraising, reached over 1 million new audience members, and engaged more than 4,000 new artists and partners. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is one of 200 nonprofit cultural organizations accepted into Bloomberg Philanthropies’ new Digital Accelerator Program cohort, spanning artistic disciplines and organization sizes in 52 U.S. cities and 28 U.K. cities. About Bloomberg Philanthropies: Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy, as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook. About the National Center for Civil and Human Rights The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) is a museum and cultural organization that inspires the changemaker in each of us. Founded in 2014, NCCHR connects the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s to global human rights movements for people of color, women, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people, and more. Our immersive and empathy-building experiences highlight people who have worked to protect rights and model how individuals create positive change. For more information, visit our website at civilandhumanrights.org. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, @ctr4chr, and LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncchr. Media Contact: Kaci Palmore, Marketing Manager | [email protected]
NCCHR Wins Blackbaud’s Giving Glow-Up Giveaway
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is thrilled to announce that we are one of the proud winners of Blackbaud’s Giving Glow-Up Giveaway. This award reflects Blackbaud’s commitment to helping nonprofits grow their impact and sustain their missions, and we are grateful for this support. With this grant, we plan to strengthen our efforts to educate, inspire, and engage communities in the fight for justice, equality, and human dignity. Blackbaud’s funding will enhance our ability to: Develop innovative programs and exhibitions that tell the powerful stories of civil and human rights movements. Expand our outreach and education initiatives, enabling us to reach even more individuals committed to building a better world. Strengthen our technology and operations to ensure we continue to lead as a premier institution for change. This recognition reaffirms our dedication to making civil and human rights accessible and actionable for all. We thank Blackbaud for believing in our work and the collective power of humanity to make a difference. Join us in celebrating this milestone. Together, we can continue to amplify the voices that need to be heard and champion the rights that must be protected. Learn more about the award here.
Inside The Center June 2024 – LGBTQ+ Institute Spotlight
For this month’s Behind the Scenes, Tim’m West discusses the LGBTQ+ Institute, where he serves as executive director. What makes this program such a valuable resource for our community? The Institute cultivates the next generation of advocates for LGBTQ+ equity. As part of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, we connect LGBTQ+ history to current advocacy through education, social events, and civic engagement, especially in the US South. Our monthly YOU(th) Belong series supports Atlanta-area LGBTQ+ youth and allies. At the same time, our National Youth Advocacy Fellowship connects emerging advocates with mentors in a variety of fields. At events like our LGBTQ+ Symposium, we engage dynamic and diverse community leaders and organizations committed to human dignity. Our 2024 Symposium, held during Pride Month, drew more than 200 practitioners to share ideas on building a regional network for future advocates. Participants left energized as our work to uphold rights continues year-round amid a hostile climate, with more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the US in 2023, many from the South. How did the program start? The Institute began in 2015, a year after The Center opened, with a mission to connect academics and advocates in healthcare, education, employment, and criminal justice. We launched the Southern Survey, one of the most comprehensive studies of LGBTQ+ life in the American South. The Institute was founded on the belief that the narrative of civil and human rights history must include the vital contributions of LGBTQ+ people who shaped these movements. We’ve upheld this commitment for nearly a decade, from our first exhibit on Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ history to recent content featuring leaders like Bayard Rustin and Pauli Murray. What are some of the Institute’s goals this year? With an eye towards supporting, educating, and training our young people in leadership and advocacy, we will solidify our youth programs while preserving the Institute’s research and convening roles. For example, our National Youth Advocacy Fellowship engages high school, college, and post-graduate students in collaborative research that has implications for public policy. Our inaugural Fellowship graduates have tackled projects like a graphic novel about transgender and non-binary students in schools, a photojournalism exhibit on disproportionate homelessness among LGBTQ+ people of color, and a podcast on Queer Labor organizing in Metro Atlanta. How do you see the program’s role at the Center? The Institute is proud to be the place that directly engages Atlanta’s diverse LGBTQ+ community, expanding The Center’s audience. We also emphasize broad allyship through our work—an essential element to support sustainable change and impact, since one-third of young people who participate do not identify as LGBTQ+ but as allies. While centered on LGBTQ+ rights, our programming further connects with movements for racial justice, women’s rights, disability rights, and climate justice. The Institute strengthens support networks and mutual advocacy by fostering alliances among marginalized groups. How can people support your mission? With the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and its impact on youth mental health, there’s never been a more critical time to support the Institute’s work. You can attend our events, follow us on social media, share our content, and donate to fund our initiatives. We’re also launching a campaign to grow our Bayard Rustin Membership Society and involve members in YOU(th) Belong. As the Institute approaches its 10th anniversary, we are grateful for our supporters who have helped us evolve to address threats to LGBTQ+ equity and inspire new leaders to protect rights and dignity for all.
Inside The Center May 2024 – DEI Experience
For this month’s Behind the Scenes, Philip Polk, Director of The Center’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Experience, discusses the program. What makes this program such a valuable resource for our community? The DEI Experience offers a roadmap for organizations of any size to create a more inclusive environment. Ideally, these cultures treat everyone equitably, combat bias, and embrace diversity. Our customized training sessions promote understanding and empathy, which in turn improve relationships, strengthen networks, and increase civility. Our program is unique in that we apply the lessons of the civil and global human rights movements throughout history to inform our approach to workplace issues. In 2023, more than 5,500 participants from 43 organizations took part in our DEI Experience—companies like Siemens, Chick-fil-A, and the Atlanta Braves, as well as nonprofits like the Girl Scouts of Atlanta, United Way, and Goodwill. How did the program begin? In 2019, The Center convened chief diversity officers throughout metro Atlanta to explore best practices. This forum led to a broader internal conversation about how our organization could share information about DEI. I joined The Center in 2020 after serving as Hallmark Cards’ chief diversity officer. Excited to shape The Center’s DEI program, I developed a curriculum and built a team of facilitators. We launched our first training session in September 2020 with The Home Depot. In our inaugural year, we facilitated 30 client sessions and offered a seven-course curriculum. In 2024, we expanded our curriculum to 18 courses to deliver more tailored training. By the end of this year, we expect to conduct more than 115 training sessions. Our team of six experts conducts presentations on DEI, moderates town hall meetings, and leads small-group discussions. We offer virtual and in-person facilitations. Clients can have sessions at their location or The Center, including a guided tour of our museum. What are some of the near- and long-term goals for the DEI Experience? In the near term, we aim to expand our service area from Georgia to the nation and reach universities, chambers of commerce, and smaller organizations in need. Our long-term goal is to broaden our audience to include anyone interested in DEI. We will introduce a certification program to provide individuals with a robust DEI skill set and to facilitate deeper community engagement. How do you see the program’s role at The Center? DEI Experience is vital to The Center’s mission to inspire changemakers by empowering individuals to transform their workplaces towards inclusivity. Our training exercises equip people to make sustainable changes within their organizations. A prime example is our Brave Space Forum. Participants in this networking lunch-and-learn tackle challenging issues and solutions to shift their workplace culture. These conversations and educational events enhance public awareness of our program and serve as a potent model to heal our communities from polarization and discrimination. How can people support the DEI Experience Program? I encourage people who are passionate about DEI to join our events and tell others to attend. Use your knowledge to help people become changemakers in their communities and organizations. Consider bringing our DEI program to your organization for a facilitated experience. Volunteer to lead tours at our museum and share the importance of DEI. Finally, consider supporting our work through donations to The Center.