Inside The Center April 2024 – Behind the Scenes: K–12 Education Program
April’s Behind the Scenes spotlights The Center’s dynamic K–12 Education Program. Director of Education Nicole Moore shares insights on the upcoming digital NCCHR Learning Portal and offers a glimpse into her team’s ambitious goals for 2024 and beyond. What makes the Learning Portal such a valuable resource for our community? We developed the Portal, in part, to enrich visits to The Center for our K–12 audiences. Educators often lack sufficient time to thoroughly cover many subjects required by state standards. The Portal will enable teachers to enhance their units of study and offer additional content as they prepare for field trips to The Center or debrief students afterward. But we also seek to assist teachers across the country. Our new Portal will engage teachers wherever they are. How did you approach developing the Portal? The idea for the Portal began in 2017 when teachers and students, after visiting The Center, contacted our team for more information about individuals and moments highlighted in the museum. Recognizing this need, we initially envisioned the project as an encyclopedia anchored by The Center’s content. However, as we delved deeper, the concept evolved into a comprehensive digital extension of the museum, offering educational resources online. It’s important to note that these resources encompass diverse primary sources, such as newspaper articles, photographs, speeches, and books. We prioritize objective facts in our content, ensuring the materials provided are informative and reliable for educators and students. How will the Portal work? We’ve invested considerable effort into making the Portal user-friendly and interactive. Upon launch, it will feature an online hub offering free curricular materials that educators can easily download and integrate into their lessons. In the coming year, we will introduce a community space where educators can share resources, continue professional development, and connect with peers. Looking ahead, we aim to incorporate virtual experiences to enhance accessibility to the museum, particularly for students who may face barriers to physical visits. What are the near- and long-term goals for the Education Program? Our near-term goal is to complete Phase One of the Portal with a soft launch planned for this spring for a limited audience. This approach will enable us to gather feedback, collect user experience data, and fine-tune our content before the full launch to everyone in November. Our long-term goals include growing our team by hiring an Education Coordinator to support the department, particularly our Affiliate Partner program. Through this program, we provide educational and professional development resources to students and faculty, such as in-school visits, that extend the impact of our Center experience. Additionally, as our museum expands, we look forward to opening our Civil Rights Teaching Fellowship to a national audience—to build community among teachers nationwide and provide them access to resources and scholars specializing in civil and human rights histories. We strive to be the “go-to” resource for authentic historical materials that promote the truth of history, encourage civic engagement, and foster a deeper understanding of how our past influences our present and future. How do you see the Education Department’s role at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights? We’re the people who bring history alive for students and provide teachers with tools to teach civil rights history by provoking critical thinking about democratic practice and civic participation. We provide context, information, and a space for thoughtful conversations and deliberative dialogue around historical events. As Director of Education, I also see our role going beyond the schools and serving everyone who wants to learn and know more. How can people support the mission of the Education Department? They can utilize our resources, spread the word about our professional development opportunities for educators, and, of course, help fund our efforts. Financial support is vital to continue developing the Portal and its curricular materials.
Civic Engagement: Voting in 2024
Navigating election season can feel overwhelming. Here are some resources to help you plan to vote. Start by adding these important dates to your calendar as reminders to vote in the general and runoff elections. Then, make time to investigate where the candidates of the 60th presidential election stand on pressing issues. Also, explore which of your federal Senators and Representatives are up for election. A total of 468 seats in the U.S. Congress – 33 Senate seats and all 435 House seats –are on the ballot on the same day. The 2024 elections mark a pivotal moment in the nation. As citizens vested in democracy, being informed can help you confidently participate. Dive into these resources to make knowledgeable decisions and shape our future. Registering and Voting: Check if you are registered, update your information, or register for the first time: GA My Voter Page Frequently Asked Election Questions: Georgia Secretary of State: Election FAQs Georgia voters out of state during elections: Absentee Ballot Request Finding drop box locations: Contact your county elections office Contact the State Election Board: Click here or call (404) 656-2871 Resources: www.sos.ga.gov/voter-resources www.thegeorgiavoterguide.com www.fairfight.com www.ballotpedia.org
The Remarkable Honorees of Power to Inspire 2024
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) will present its annual Power to Inspire fundraising experience, recognizing individuals who were on the front lines of integrating their schools following the Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka decision. From their remarkable achievements to their unwavering commitment to making a difference, each honoree has a unique story that truly resonates with the spirit of Brown v. Board of Education. Read on to learn more about these inspirational figures and their profound impact on the forward movement of equity in education. Joan Anderson was one of the plaintiffs in the Delaware case consolidated into Brown v. Board of Education. Joan’s parents advocated for integration so their children could attend Claymont High School. This case became the first court-mandated integration of a public school in the United States and the basis for how integration could work in Brown v. Board. Joan graduated from Claymont High School. She attended Fisk University and Boston University, graduating in 1960. Joan is currently a writer and motivational speaker. Adrienne J. Bennett and her family advocated for desegregated schools in their local Washington, D.C. community, led by her parents’ participation in the Consolidated Parents Group. In 1952, Adrienne, her father, and her sister Barbara were named as plaintiffs with six others in the Bolling v. Sharpe case. This case was combined with four other cases that formed Brown v. Board. Adrienne graduated from Spingarn High School in Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and proudly taught second and third grade for 31 years in the District of Columbia Public School system. Victoria Lawton Benson is a passionate civil rights spokesperson. Victoria and her sister, Carol Kay Lawton, became child plaintiffs in Brown v. Board when her mother, Maude E. Lawton, grew tired of traveling to the all-Black Buchanan Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas. The white school, Lowman Elementary, sat one block from the Lawton’s home. Maude was one of the original 13 plaintiffs from Topeka. Victoria was six years old when her family joined the case, but her mother’s determination made a lifelong impression. Victoria became the first Black American to graduate from beauty school in Topeka. She has been the creative force behind the Black women-owned hairstyling business, Victoria’s Salon, for more than six decades. Ruby Bridges is a civil rights icon, activist, author, and speaker who, at age six, was the first Black student to integrate an all-white elementary school in Louisiana. She was born in Mississippi in 1954, the same year the U.S. Supreme Court handed down Brown v. Board. Ruby’s family later moved to New Orleans, where, on November 14, 1960, she began attending William Frantz Elementary School. Later, she established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to provide leadership training programs that inspire youth and community leaders to embrace and value the richness of diversity. Nathanial Briggs’ parents were the first petitioners responsible for the genesis of the Briggs v. Elliott school desegregation case in Clarendon County, South Carolina. The Briggs case was the first legal challenge to the “separate but equal” doctrine in the United States and was later consolidated into Brown v. Board. Nathaniel attended a segregated school in South Carolina through the sixth grade. Due to their participation in school desegregation, Nathaniel’s family faced harassment and was forced to move to Miami and later to New York City, where Nathaniel completed his education. Nathanial devoted his life to service. He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served in the New Jersey National Guard for 13 years. Dr. Cheryl Brown Henderson is one of three children of the late Rev. Oliver L. Brown, namesake of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision. Her sister, Linda Brown, was one of the students represented in the case. Cheryl has been a leader for equity in education, using her background in educational administration, business, public relations, civic leadership, public policy, and federal legislative development to carry on her father’s legacy. She is the founding president of The Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research and the owner of the Brown & Associates educational consulting firm. Minnijean Brown-Trickey was 16 years old when she became one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African American students who, with protection from federal troops, first integrated the city’s high school in 1957. Despite facing verbal and physical abuse on campus, Minnijean knew the power of showing up for school each day. She continued at Central High until she was expelled for standing up to the torment she faced from a group of white students. She later moved to Canada and earned a bachelor’s degree from Laurentian University and a master’s degree from Carleton University. Minnijean returned to the United States and later served in the Clinton administration as deputy assistant secretary for workforce diversity at the U.S. Department of the Interior, one of many leadership roles throughout her career. William (Bill) Campbell, at age seven, became the first Black student to integrate public schools in North Carolina in 1960. He was the victim of bullying and harassment at Murphey School in Raleigh, and his family often received bomb threats, forcing them to leave their home frequently. Bill was the only Black student at Murphey for five years. He graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University and finished his education at Duke Law School. After graduating, Bill joined a law firm in Atlanta and served on the Atlanta City Council for 12 years before being elected the city’s 57th mayor in 1993. His focus on public housing reform led Atlanta to a remarkable renaissance, heralding a population and building growth that continues today. Linda Florence Clonts grew up in Powder Springs, Georgia, and attended Lemon Street High School. In 1965, during her junior year, Linda became one of the pioneering Black students selected for desegregation. Bused to McEachern High School, Linda faced hostility and discrimination, enduring hurtful slurs and acts of cruelty. She found derogatory remarks pinned to her back and her
Inside The Center March 2024 – Supporter Spotlight
Ingrid Saunders Jones is a respected leader committed to empowering communities. She has guided organizations such as The Coca-Cola Foundation, the National Council of Negro Women, and the YWCA of Greater Atlanta. Jones has supported The National Center for Civil and Human Rights since its inception and played a pivotal role in The Coca-Cola Company’s decision to provide land for the museum. Jones served on The Center’s board for 11 years and helped shape the organization’s mission and vision. In 2024, The Center recognized her steadfast dedication by honoring her as its second emeritus board member. For our Supporter Spotlight during Women’s History Month, we asked Jones to reflect on leadership, the significance of mentorship, and what drives her ongoing passion for promoting thriving communities. Why is it important to celebrate Women’s History Month? We must illuminate this history, especially the unsung heroes of the civil rights movement, as The Center did for its 2023 Power to Inspire event. It makes people say, “I didn’t know she was involved,” and want to learn more. I’m so pleased we lifted Myrlie Evers Williams, but there are many more. And we’ve lost so many, like my friend Connie Curry, who worked for Mayor Jackson. Women have been the backbone of many significant Atlanta civic organizations, and it is essential to acknowledge their contributions. Who are some women who have inspired you? There are multitudes, but two major people who immediately come to mind are Coretta Scott King and Alana Shepherd. Coretta started from scratch and said, “We’re going to remember my husband.” She fulfilled that promise and built an institution, creating the King Center and a national park. Alana founded the Shepherd Center after her son sustained a spinal cord injury, realizing that Atlanta lacked adequate care. The Shepherd Center has since provided specialized care for thousands. Who is a woman who personifies leadership? I think of Shirley Franklin’s leadership and her impact on the city of Atlanta. Her knowledge of how to get things done and her ability to partner led to the construction and expansion of The Center. Through her leadership, she was able to convince skeptics and inspire others. Franklin also tackled important infrastructure issues, such as the sewers, during her time as a leader in Atlanta. The Center is one of her many accomplishments, and it serves as a testament to her legacy. How has mentorship influenced your career? Mentorship has always been important to me. Through mentors, there is a direct connection between my role as a nonprofit leader in Detroit and my work for the Atlanta City Council president, going to work for Mayor Jackson, and then working at The Coca-Cola Company. I was directly mentored by my boss, Carl Ware, and indirectly by Chairman Roberto Goizueta. When I speak with young people, the key to earning mentorship is demonstrating a strong work ethic and the ability to get things done. I was learning even if they didn’t know they were mentoring me. What advice have you carried through your career? You’ve got to know what is happening in the world – to engage specifically where you are, but also more broadly to understand critical data so that you can dimensionalize solutions. You cannot live in a bubble. What advice would you give to aspiring leaders? When you become a boss, you are responsible for making everybody who works for you successful. In my career, I was surprised by the number of people who did not understand that. What causes are you passionate about now? Since retiring ten years ago, I’ve slowly but surely narrowed my focus. My passion project is reopening the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Building to serve as a community epicenter for Atlanta’s Westside, providing daycare and skills training for working parents. The wealth gap in Atlanta is growing, and we must, as a community, be intentional about mitigating that.
NCCHR Begins Construction on 24,000-square-foot Expansion for Enhanced Visitor Experience and Programs
Museum to operate through 2024 and close for roughly seven months in 2025. ATLANTA (March 11, 2024) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) has begun construction to expand its iconic downtown Atlanta building. The project will add two new wings – totaling approximately 24,000 square feet – for classrooms, exhibits, and event spaces while refreshing the museum’s current offerings. The museum will remain open through 2024. It will temporarily close between January and August 2025, reopening with its new wings in the Fall. Protective fencing has been installed around the museum’s perimeter and adjoining property for the project’s duration. Fencing extends east to the corner of Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. and Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW. It reaches south in Pemberton Place, beside the World of Coca-Cola. The museum’s Pemberton Place and Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. entrances are accessible. As a safety measure, the primary visitor entry point will be the Pemberton Place entrance. Visitors requiring ADA accessibility may also use the Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. entrance. Visitor parking at the nearby Coca-Cola parking deck on Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. remains available throughout construction. Any changes to hours or days of operation due to construction will be posted on NCCHR’s website – civilandhumanrights.org. “We are excited to begin our next chapter as we celebrate our tenth anniversary. Our expansion fulfills our founders’ original vision to establish a national cultural organization dedicated to inspiring the changemaker in each of us to protect rights,” said Jill Savitt, NCCHR’s president and CEO. During its temporary closure in 2025, NCCHR will host frequent community events across metro Atlanta, including NCCHR’s Truth programs, which will bring history to life and address contemporary rights issues at local coffee shops, restaurants, and event and performance venues. While the museum is closed, NCCHR will continue administering its ongoing programs: K-12 education, the LGBTQ+ Institute, DEI training experiences, human rights training for law enforcement, and the Truth & Transformation Initiative. NCCHR’s Fulfilling the Vision capital campaign has raised more than $52 million towards its goal of $56 million. This Spring, NCCHR will launch an additional community-focused fundraising campaign to generate broad participation in the expansion project. The upcoming expansion will feature a three-story West Wing with a café and three new galleries: A Family Gallery on the lobby level for children under 12 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, with artifacts from the Without Sanctuary collection. A Special Exhibitions Gallery for traveling and rotating exhibitions. A one-story East Wing will provide flexible meeting space for classrooms, performances, trainings, and events. The East Wing’s roof will accommodate a new ticketing experience and outdoor event space. 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. NCCHR’s exhibit curators are Ejim Dike and Liba Beyer. Dike, former US Human Rights Network executive director, is focusing on the museum’s new gallery on Reconstruction and refreshing its permanent civil rights exhibits and King Collection gallery. Beyer, a global human rights advocate who spent 20 years at Human Rights Watch, is curating the new Family Gallery and updating the permanent human rights gallery. Atlanta real estate advisory firm DaVinci Development Collaborative serves as the development manager for the expansion. “As members of our team participated in the original initiative in 2014, we are deeply privileged to work with this current dedicated group on this important project,” said David Scott, senior principal and project executive for DaVinci Development. “NCCHR’s work and vision are critical to enriching and advancing society,” said Malcolm Davis, project manager at Perkins&Will, the architecture firm designing the new wings. “We are honored to be the design partner for this expansion.” NCCHR’s design and construction partners are: Atelier Brueckner – a global design firm based in Stuttgart, Germany, oversees exhibition design. DaVinci Development Collaborative LLC – an Atlanta-based boutique firm is the overall project developer manager. Juneau Construction Company – based in Atlanta, the woman-owned company directs building construction. Perkins&Will – the national firm headquartered in Chicago, oversees design of the expanded building and campus. Solomon Group – the New Orleans-based national experiential production company leads exhibit fabrication. 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 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. Contact: James Richards, Communications Director | [email protected], 646-789-1375
Statement from President and CEO Jill Savitt on the passing of Dan Moore Sr.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights mourns the loss of activist, author, and filmmaker Dan Moore Sr. He lastingly enriched Atlanta as the founder and executive director of its oldest Black history museum, the African American Panoramic Experience (APEX). Dan dedicated his life to preserving and sharing the rich history of the struggles and triumphs of people of African descent locally, nationally, and globally. His work is an inspiration to anyone who pursues the truth of history. We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones and colleagues.
70 Years after Brown v. Board
This year, for Power to Inspire, The Center will present a multimedia performance dedicated to the historic Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas Supreme Court ruling and its impact on the equity of education 70 years later. What was Brown v. Board of Education about? Brown v. Board of Education challenged state-sanctioned segregation in public schools, stating separate schools for Black and white students was unconstitutional as it violated the 14th Amendment’s equal protection. The Plaintiffs The “Brown” in Brown v. Board of Education is named after plaintiff Oliver Brown, who filed a class-action suit against the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, when his daughter Linda was denied entrance to Topeka’s all-white Sumner Elementary School in 1951. Mr. Brown was one of 13 parents from Topeka fighting for an equal education for his child. In 1952, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s chief attorney, Thurgood Marshall argued Brown v. Board of Education before the Supreme Court, a case that combined 4 cases: Briggs v. Elliott (1950) from South Carolina; Bolling v. Sharpe (1952) from Washington, D.C.; Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County (1952) from Virginia; and Belton (Bulah) v. Gebhart (1952) from Delaware. The case was argued before the Court twice, in 1952 and 1953, before a decision would come down in 1954. The Doll Test To prove that segregated schools were not equal, Marshall enlisted testimonies and research from social scientists, including psychologists, Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark. Fourteen years before the case, The Clarks designed and conducted a series of experiments to study the psychological effects of segregation on African American children. “The doll tests,” as they are commonly called, used four dolls, identical except for skin color, to test children’s racial perceptions. Most of the children chose the white doll when asked which doll they preferred. The Clarks concluded that “prejudice, discrimination, and segregation” created a feeling of inferiority among Black children and damaged their self-esteem. The Verdict In May of 1954, the Supreme Court issued a unanimous 9–0 decision written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, in favor of the plaintiffs. The Court agreed that public school segregation had a “detrimental effect upon the colored children” and contributed to “a sense of inferiority.” The Courts ruled that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal” and, therefore, violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The verdict overturned 50 years of “separate-but-equal” doctrine – set forth in 1896’s Plessy v. Ferguson – that gave rise to Jim Crow laws that shaped US public education (and American life) after the post-Civil War Reconstruction period. The case did not lay out any method for ending racial segregation in schools. The Reaction School integration did not happen immediately. Many states delayed or outright defied the court order to desegregate. In 1955, the Supreme Court rendered the Brown II Decision, which ordered desegregation of public schools to occur with “all deliberate speed.” White parents across the nation resisted the Brown v. Board mandate. School boards, politicians, and parents alike found ways to delay, restrict, or avoid integration. Numerous private schools popped up in predominantly white suburbs. These schools, known as “Segregation Academies,” were founded solely to avoid integrating public schools. In other areas, public schools shifted white students to “gifted programs” at schools with more funding and better opportunities. Highly skilled Black teachers were moved from their neighborhood schools to predominantly white schools. Indeed, some predominantly Black schools were closed altogether in favor of busing Black students to predominantly white schools, which were often far from Black students’ homes. Power to Inspire 2024 The year’s Power to Inspire show is written and directed by acclaimed playwright and director Nikki Toombs. Through video, music, dance, and immersive storytelling, Toombs explores the impact of Brown v. Board of Education’s transformative verdict that spurred a movement for equality, drawing parallels between students from the Jim Crow era to today and humanizing those affected by the inequality of our education system. Guests will gain insight into our society’s challenges and be inspired to advocate for fair and equal education for all. Visit civilandhumanrights.org/courage to purchase your tickets today! Want to Learn More about Brown v. Board and school integration? Check out these resources: Timeline of Events Leading to the Brown v. Board of Education Decision of 1954, National Archives A History of Private Schools and Race in the American South, Southern Education Foundation The Racist Origins of Private School Vouchers, Center for American Progress Nice White Parents, New York Times The Persistence of NYC School Segregation Part 1, Part 2, P.S. Weekly, The Bell
NCCHR Board of Directors Welcomes New Leaders
Four new members help advance NCCHR’s mission and expansion strategy. Egbert Perry, Chairman of Integral, succeeds Hon. Shirley Franklin as board Chair. February 22, 2024 (ATLANTA) – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights welcomed a new class to its board of directors. The new directors, who bring a wealth of corporate, operational, and communications experience to the organization, are invited to serve two three-year terms. The new board members, all based in Atlanta, are: Mohammad “Mo” Azam, Chief Audit & Compliance Executive, UPS. Karen Bennett, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Cox Enterprises. Soon Mee Kim, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Omnicom Communications Consultancy Network. Justin Sullivan, Senior Vice President, PNC Private Bank. In addition to the new members, The Center’s board elected Egbert L. J. Perry, Chairman of Integral, as its new Chair. Perry has been involved with the organization since the idea of The Center was initially explored and has served as a founding board member since The Center was organized. He will succeed the Hon. Shirley Franklin, who held the position for more than a decade and will remain on the board. “As we mark our tenth anniversary, we continue to attract exceptional leaders to help us deliver on our mission to protect rights and inspire changemaking for human dignity,” said Perry. “Shirley’s remarkable leadership created The Center, and she has shaped our growth and success. On behalf of the board, I express my deepest gratitude for Shirley’s determination and vision. We are fortunate that she will continue to serve with us during this exciting phase of expansion.” A.J. Robinson, CEO of Central Atlanta Progress, and another founding board member, will remain Vice-Chair of The Center’s board. At the end of 2023, three members rolled off the board at the close of their terms: Bob Jimenez, Ingrid Saunders-Jones, and Juliet Sorenson. “We look forward to engaging our new board members during this pivotal phase, and we offer our deepest thanks to Ingrid, Bob, and Juliet,” said Jill Savitt, The Center’s President and CEO. Full biographies and photos for all NCCHR board members can be accessed at civilandhumanrights.org/about-the-center/staff-board/. Mohammad “Mo” Azam is the Chief Audit & Compliance Executive for UPS. Azam is responsible for global audit, compliance, and ethics-related activities. He oversees UPS’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Privacy process. Before joining UPS, Azam held senior finance positions with multinational organizations, including Mellon Bank, Ford Motor Company, Dole Packaged Foods, and Sega Internet Games. He is a Certified Public Accountant from the State of California and a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), serving on its Atlanta Chapter’s Board of Governors. Azam is a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Asian American Professionals. Karen Bennett is the Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer for Cox Enterprises. She leads the company’s people solutions, corporate affairs, inclusion & diversity, HR technology services, benefits, compensation, talent acquisition, brand, marketing, and creative departments. Before joining Cox Enterprises, Bennett was most recently EVP and Chief People Officer for Cox Communications. Bennett serves on the board of directors of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) Foundation, the Human Resources Leadership Forum of Atlanta, and the Metro Atlanta American Heart Association. Soon Mee Kim is Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer for the Omnicom Communications Consultancy Network, a division of Omnicom Group. In her role, she catalyzes systemic equity within the Omnicom People Engagement Network (OPEN), working with intention and urgency to drive change. Previously, Kim was most recently Executive Vice President and Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader for Porter Novelli. Kim serves on the national boards of ColorComm, The LAGRANT Foundation, and the Forum for Theological Exploration. She is a founding member of VOICES for AAPI and an editorial advisory board member for Atlanta Magazine. Justin Sullivan is a Senior Vice President and a Market Leader for the PNC Private Bank. He oversees Georgia’s Private Bank team, advising clients through investment, trust, financial planning, and private banking services to help them achieve their financial goals. Previously, Sullivan was a Regional Manager over a team of investment advisors in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Preceding that role, he was an Investment Advisor with PNC in multiple markets, including Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Sullivan serves on the executive board of the Midtown Alliance. About NCCHR’s Nominating Process NCCHR’s Nominating Sub-Committee, led by board member Katie Fahs, undertakes an annual process each spring to assess the mix of skills and expertise needed for NCCHR to fulfill its mission and then solicits nominations from the entire board for the next board class to meet those needs. Current board members interview candidates and compile a slate that ensures the board has diverse voices. The board votes each fall for a new class. NCCHR’s board members are invited to serve two three-year terms. 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 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. Contact: James Richards, Communications Director | [email protected], 404.844.4692
Inside The Center January 2024 – Center Behind the Scenes
Two new leaders joined The Center in 2023: Kama Pierce, Chief Program Officer, and Adriana Higgins, Chief Advancement Officer. We asked Kama and Adriana to tell us a bit about themselves. Kama Pierce, Chief Program Officer Kama joined The Center in September 2023, and brings more than 25 years of experience working in civil rights, educational programming, and non-profit and education leadership to her role. Previously, Kama was Senior Vice President of Strategy, Marketing & Communications, for the Woodruff Arts Center. She is also a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2023. During her legal career, Kama served as Assistant Public Defender in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and as a staff attorney for the Third Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals.” Kama first discovered The Center during her work with a history museum in Charlotte, NC. Upon relocating to Atlanta in 2020, The Center became a top priority on her “must-visit” list in her new city. Kama says her role embodies her ideal of “leading with purpose,” a principle she embraced during her time at Leadership Atlanta. She loves the dynamic daily pace to drive and support the unique goals of our Education, Public Engagement, Initiatives, and Exhibitions teams, each dedicated to inspiring changemakers. Adriana Higgins, Chief Advancement Officer With over two decades of experience in nonprofit fundraising, resource development, and marketing, Adriana oversees The Center’s Development, Marketing, and Communications teams. She has built development and planned-giving programs to increase revenue at organizations like the Houston Zoo, Habitat for Humanity International, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in Houston (where she was CEO), Piedmont Healthcare Foundation, and Measures for Justice. Upon relocating to Atlanta, numerous friends recommended The Center as an essential cultural organization. Adriana was attracted by the opportunity to cultivate national support for an outstanding organization and to spearhead fundraising initiatives to educate future generations. Adriana is grateful for the chance to collaborate with talented colleagues who share her passion for fostering The Center as an exceptional educational hub for civil and human rights history. Kama and Adriana discussed their work as well as life outside of the museum. What do you find most rewarding about your work so far? Kama: Hands down it is the people. That includes working with our dedicated staff; meeting and strategizing with community partners; and striving to uncover, understand, and share the stories of the people from our past. Adriana: Seeing all the students and school groups coming through The Center and knowing this is often due to donor support is rewarding. We always want donors to know that with their support, more students and families can experience free programs throughout the year. What is your favorite part of the museum? Kama: My favorite exhibit changes constantly. In January, I would have to say it is our gallery where we display selections from the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection. Our exhibition and education leaders have collaborated wonderfully with our historian partners to curate our new rotation. This year, we take a deep dive into the events of 1964 which had a profound effect on the civil rights movement. Adriana: Like so many of our visitors, I’m continually inspired by our pre-function floor which puts Dr. King’s words front and center, beginning with our “Fragments” installation. When I walk through the museum, I love seeing young people taking pictures with Dr. King’s words as an inspirational backdrop. How do you like to recharge? Kama: Recharging is a necessity, and I do so by leashing up Baxter, my Lab-mix dog, and hitting the park or road to disappear for a bit with “woman’s best friend.” Adriana: I love music, and I’m most recharged when I listen or dance to Calypso and Soca – preferably at a beach.
Inside The Center January 2024 – Donor Spotlight
Our inaugural Donor Spotlight focuses on Frank Sims and Tom Glenn, the co-chairs of our Building the Vision expansion campaign, and long-time friends of The Center. We asked Frank and Tom to reflect on why they chose to be champions of The Center’s work. Frank Sims Frank retired from Cargill in 2008, where he led major strategic business segments in the United States and internationally. He later served as interim president of Fisk University (2015 to 2017 and 2022 to 2023). Frank served on The Center’s Board from 2015 to 2021. Tom Glenn Tom is a trustee of the Wilbur & Hilda Glenn Family Foundation where he focuses on the foundation’s work in public education, social justice, and human services. He is a former trustee of The Westminster Schools, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, among others. Why do you support The Center and why should others? Frank: As a lifelong advocate and supporter of human rights, I continue to support this outstanding museum that tells a powerful story of the civil rights movement and The Center’s programs that inspire changemakers in education, DEI, and more. I tell people that if you share an enthusiasm for human rights or want to learn more, this is the place you want to get involved with! Tom: Justice and dignity for all is essential to sustain local, national, and global communities. I support The Center because it focuses attention on significant historical and current inequities and nurtures efforts to correct these defects in our society. What is your hope for The Center? Frank: I hope and sincerely believe The Center will continue on the path of being recognized regionally and nationally as a premiere cultural organization, convener, and thought leader that inspires respect for the rights of all people, everywhere. We have the resources and leadership to make this a reality. Tom: My hope for The Center is that it can change attitudes, touch hearts, and replace bigotry and hate with compassion.