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.
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.
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
A Statement from President and CEO, Jill Savitt on the Passing of Dexter Scott King
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights mourns the loss of Dexter Scott King. A lifelong civil rights activist, Dexter will be remembered for his dedication to protecting the legacy of his father, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his mother, Coretta Scott King, as Chairman of the King Center and President of the King Estate. We send our deepest condolences to his wife Leah Weber King, his sister Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King, his brother Martin Luther King, III, and his niece Yolanda Renee King.
The Center in the News: Truth and Transformation Commemorates the 117th Anniversary of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre
Since 2021, The Center’s Truth and Transformation Initiative has commemorated the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre as a pillar of its mission to help communities confront painful history. This year, the initiative created powerful events that established a new standard for examining the massacre’s impact and delivered authentic moments for reflection and transformation. Events garnered considerable national, state, and local media interest especially a New York Times feature story for its Across the Country series: “In a ‘City Too Busy to Hate,’ New Attention to an Overlooked Race Massacre,” by Rick Rojas, The Times’ Southeast bureau chief. Notable local coverage included Axios Atlanta, WABE-FM’s Morning Edition, and Atlanta broadcast news stations: WANF – CBS, Atlanta News First; WSB – ABC, Channel 2 Action News; and WXIA – NBC, 11Alive News. The week began September 18 with a moving vigil to honor victims of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre. The vigil drew a supportive crowd at the Henry Grady statue on Marietta Street, where scholars say bodies were stacked during the four-day massacre. Research partners the Georgia Civil Rights Cold Cases Project at Emory University and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society identified two new names of the 25 lives lost. Activists say the vigil represents a notable milestone in the effort to uncover the truth about the atrocity 117 years ago. Friday September 22, marking the first day of the 1906 massacre, Truth and Transformation premiered a new documentary “(Re)Defining History” at the Black-owned Gathering Spot. The Center produced the film about the impact of the massacre with Atlanta PBS / NPR station, WABE. Following the screening, Black and white descendants of families impacted by the massacre met for the first time to discuss the legacy of the atrocity. The guided conversation demonstrated that honest dialogues about difficult history could be transformative. The commemoration closed September 24 with an engaging theatrical experience at The Center developed by Equitable Dinners and Out of Hand Theater, to immerse participants in a reflective exploration of current race relations in Atlanta. Throughout the weekend, Equitable Dinners recreated this experience for 1,000 people at 100 tables across metro Atlanta homes, places of worship, businesses, and schools. “We want to build on the positive community response to our events this year,” said Darrin Sims, Truth and Transformation director. “By establishing a permanent annual commemoration of the massacre, we can help Atlantans see a deeper story of the people involved and clarify the atrocity’s impact on the lingering inequalities the city faces today. We remain committed to discovering all we can to honor those killed until every victim and descendant is identified and their stories can be told.” The initiative’s work continues on Atlanta’s westside to memorialize the historically brutal practice of convict leasing that shaped our community.
Southern Company Honors The National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Southern Company honored The National Center for Civil and Human Rights for its longstanding impact on Atlanta and the southeast during the 2023 Evening of Excellence on September 22. Our President and CEO, Jill Savitt, travelled to Washington, D.C., to accept the award Friday evening on behalf of The Center at Southern Company’s annual event, which took place this year at The REACH at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This recognition is a testament to The Center’s enduring partnership with Southern Company, which has been steadfast in its support since our inception in 2014. Southern Company’s President and CEO, Chris Womack, has served on our board and remains an ardent supporter and advisor. Southern Company’s Evening of Excellence is held annually in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference. It brings together thought leaders, influencers, and architects of change to honor an individual or organization’s remarkable contributions to their community. In expressing our gratitude, Savitt remarked, “This is an immense honor, and we are deeply grateful to Southern Company and the Congressional Black Caucus for recognizing our commitment to promoting dignity and justice. We may never be able to fully thank Southern Company for all its support, but I know how we can try: by continuing to engage and inspire people with the values that animate both our organizations: promoting dignity and justice.” Nearly 400 guests attended this year’s event including Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Congressman Sanford Bishop, Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Congressman Troy Carter, Congresswoman Yvette Clark, Congressman Hank Johnson, Congresswoman Lucy McBath, Congressman David Scott, and Congresswoman Terri Sewell. The event also drew government, nonprofit, and cultural leaders such as Stephen Benjamin – Senior Advisor to President Biden, Derrick Johnson – President and CEO, NAACP, and Nick Thompson – CEO, The Atlantic. The gala closed with a performance by legendary R&B group Boyz II Men. Southern Company’s Evening of Excellence has been held for more than 15 years. Past honorees have included Congressman John Lewis, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Lonnie Bunch, founding director African American Museum, Derrick Johnson, NAACP President, Dr. Robert Franklin, former president of Morehouse College, Dr. Regina Benjamin, former U. S. Surgeon General, and Alfre Woodard, actor and education advocate. Savitt paid tribute to Congressman Lewis in her remarks, who had been a strong advocate for The Center and whose lifetime of rights advocacy set a powerful example for our mission – to create a more just and equitable world through dynamic and empathy-building experiences, teaching history’s connection to the present, and inspiring the change-maker in each of us to promote and protect the rights of all people everywhere. She reflected on The Center’s mission as it celebrates a decade of action in 2024. In December, The Center will break ground on a multi-million-dollar expansion aimed at broadening our impact. This expansion encompasses immersive programs like our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion workshops and our Truth and Transformation Initiative, which aids communities in unearthing hidden histories to foster healing and equitable futures. Southern Company’s 2023 Evening of Excellence reaffirmed our unwavering dedication to justice, equality, and human rights worldwide.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS OBSERVES THE 117TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1906 ATLANTA RACE MASSACRE: A WEEK OF TRUTH, COMMEMORATION, AND TRANSFORMATION
The Center’s Truth and Transformation Initiative empowers communities to confront hidden history, correct incomplete narratives, and build a more equitable future. ATLANTA, Sept. 1, 2023 – The National Center for Civil and Human Rights (The Center) will mark the 117th anniversary of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre with a moving series of events designed to commemorate the past, illuminate the present, and foster a more equitable future. Annually marking the third week of September is an integral part of The Center’s Truth and Transformation Initiative. The initiative emboldens communities to confront neglected and painful history – by creating memorials, commemorative events, and educational resources – to establish shared truths as a critical foundation for healing. The 117th anniversary commemoration begins September 18 with a solemn vigil at the Henry Grady Statue to honor massacre victims. During the massacre, the mob stacked bodies at the base of the segregationist newspaper editor’s statue. Attendees will read the names of known victims including two people newly verified as casualties of the massacre through research by initiative partners: the Georgia Civil Rights Cold Cases Project and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society of Metro Atlanta. Truth and Transformation has submitted the newly verified names to the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) to include in its National Memorial of Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL. The commemoration continues September 22 – 24 with: The premiere of “(Re)Defining History: Uncovering the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre” at the Gathering Spot, a documentary co-produced by The Center and WABE and hosted by noted historian Dr. Maurice Hobson, that delves into the massacre’s hidden history and significance in Atlanta. A powerful conversation with descendants of white and Black families impacted by the massacre immediately following the documentary premiere. Patricia Walker Bearden and Yolanda Walker Simmons are the granddaughters of Alex Walker, who was convicted of the killing of county police officer James Heard. They will talk with Preston Heard, the grandnephew of James Heard. Facilitated by Melvin Bray, this conversation offers a unique opportunity to hear descendants’ stories about the complicated legacy of the atrocity. An engaging dinner and theatrical experience at The Center, developed by Equitable Dinners and Out of Hand Theater, will immerse participants into a reflective exploration of current race relations in Atlanta. Throughout the weekend, Equitable Dinners will recreate this experience for 1,000 people at 100 tables across metro Atlanta homes, places of worship, businesses, and schools. For more information and ticket reservations, visit https://www.civilandhumanrights.org/truth-and-transformation-1906/. “Facing difficult history with honesty and integrity is vital to building a more just future,” said Darrin Sims, director of the Truth and Transformation Initiative. “We work with communities to reach a fuller understanding of the past and the lingering inequities that stem from decades of systemic discrimination. Our truth telling approach builds empathy for people harmed by that past, illuminates pathways for reconciliation, and inspires communities to reimagine how to redress inequalities going forward.” The initiative focuses on overlooked chapters in Atlanta’s post-Reconstruction era history of racial terror – the brutal practice of convict leasing at the Chattahoochee Brick Company and Bellwood Quarry, and the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre: a dark chapter characterized by four days of white mob violence that killed at least 25 Black individuals with the goal of erasing Black progress. Those 25 lives were among 500 lynchings in Georgia from the 1880s to the 1950s, as documented by EJI. “We seek to tell deeper stories of these individuals, identify their descendants, and establish dignified memorials for their sacrifices. Acknowledging the generational trauma from racial terror and forced labor, we also honor the resilience of Atlanta’s Black community. Following the massacre, dedicated citizens revitalized Auburn Avenue into a beacon of Black success, inspiring future civil rights leaders,” said Sims. Essential to the initiative’s work are its extensive partnerships with faith and civic leaders, historians, and grass roots organizations like the Fulton County Remembrance Coalition (FCRC) and the Coalition to Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre (The Coalition), who have been instrumental in organizing commemorations since the massacre’s centennial in 2006. Partners offer opportunities for the public to commemorate and examine the impact of the massacre including the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre: Community Symposium, September 23 at the Auburn Avenue Research Library. September 24 at Sumner Park, community volunteers, the City of East Point, and the FCRC will beautify the marker honoring the life of Zeb Long, a massacre victim. Since launching in 2021, Truth and Transformation has reached significant milestones: The initiative successfully advocated for changing the name of the Atlanta Race Riot to the more accurate “Atlanta Race Massacre,” gaining support from local and state media, educational, and cultural organizations including the Atlanta History Center, the Georgia Humanities Council, the Georgia Historical Society, and the New Georgia Encyclopedia. Observing the massacre’s 116th anniversary in 2022, the initiative and Equitable Dinners convened 5,000 individuals at 500 tables across metro Atlanta, facilitating scores of profound conversations on racial terror’s legacy. “As we approach our tenth year as a cultural and rights organization, we are uniquely positioned to lead this transformative work during a time of national polarization, where education and democracy are at risk,” said Jill Savitt, The Center’s president and CEO. “Truth and Transformation embodies our mission to create a more just and equitable world, inspiring people to tap their power to promote and protect human rights. We are excited to extend the initiative’s impact as part of our institutional-wide expansion in 2024, by designing curricula for schools and organizations to take our truth sharing model to their communities.” 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
Statement from the Center: Condemning the white supremacist mass shooting in Jacksonville, Florida
As The Center observes the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, our hearts grieve with the people of Jacksonville, Florida at the loss of three Black lives this past Saturday to yet another mass shooting driven by white supremacy. This underscores the stubborn tenacity of racism that is deeply embedded in America’s history. 2023 has already witnessed over 470 mass shootings in America, as reported by the Gun Violence Archive. Against this alarming backdrop, we continue to urge legislators to fulfill their commitment to safeguard the people they are sworn to protect. In September, The Center will commemorate the 117th anniversary of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre—a dark chapter characterized by four days of white mob violence that claimed the lives of at least 25 Black individuals, aimed at erasing Black progress. Despite its significant impact on Atlanta’s trajectory, and the national history of racial terror, this massacre remains largely unknown today. Our commemoration is a key pillar of The Center’s Truth and Transformation initiative that empowers communities to unearth and share the truths of history, with the goal of reshaping society toward equity, dismantling hate, and ending the scourge of racist violence.