In-person

Join us for Saturday Storytime! Enjoy inspiring children's stories and interactive games on our third-floor mezzanine. Saturday Storytime occurs at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM and is included with the price of admission.

Join us at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month! Family fun activities include making masks inspired by Creek Muscogee myths, Story Time featuring We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell, and a book giveaway. Sponsored by Georgia Natural Gas. 

Calling all Atlanta youth! We invite you to embrace your rights and celebrate your power at our #YouthBelongATL event. Join us for an afternoon filled with fun, delicious food, and dancing, while connecting with friends and community. Come celebrate, connect, and find your place in the community. You belong here.  Thank you to our sponsors: All1Family, Georgia Safe Schools Coalition, Neighborhood Church, Lost-n-Found Youth, and Sojourn. 

Join us for Saturday Storytime! Enjoy inspiring children's stories and interactive games on our third-floor mezzanine. Saturday Storytime occurs at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:30 PM and is included with the price of admission.

Celebrate MLK Day all weekend long with the Children's Museum of Atlanta from Saturday, January 18 – Monday, January 20! Learn about Martin Luther King Jr., his message of hope and acceptance, and more with fun activities with the National Center for Civil & Human Rights, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Markell Williams.

We invite you to join us at Bellwood Quarry on Friday, February 7th at noon. Come learn about the history of forced labor in Atlanta, receive an overview of Truth + Transformation's work on the Westside, gain insight into our community engagement process, and share your thoughts. We will meet atthe Rebirth of Atlanta Pavilion in Westside Reservoir Park. Toward the end, we will offer an optional walk to the Reservoir Overlook (about 10 minutes) to see Bellwood Quarry. There is a hill, so wear comfortable shoes if you plan to join us for the walk. Bring your thoughts and your friends. Registration is required. Send any questions to [email protected]. Directions for entering Westside Park: The easiest way to get to the Rebirth of Atlanta Pavilion is via Johnson Rd. NW. Enter where the Whalebone Sculpture is (looks like a giant ribcage) and park in the Birth of Atlanta Lot.

Join WABE, in partnership with The Atlanta History Center and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, for a special screening of American Coup: Wilmington 1898 before it airs on PBS. Guests will get to see an exclusive preview of the film and hear a panel discussion moderated by WABE's Rose Scott with filmmaker Brad Lichtenstein, Dr. Crystal Sanders, Associate Professor of African American Studies at Emory University, and DJ Sims, Director of the Truth + Transformation Initiative at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. American Coup: Wilmington 1898 tells the little-known story of a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection in North Carolina’s largest city in 1898. Stoking fears of “Negro Rule,” self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington’s democratically-elected, multi-racial government. This massacre inspired much of the 1906 Atlanta race massacre.

YOU(th) Belong and the Netherlands Consulate present The Front Porch: Black History Love Letters. On Friday, February 14, 2025, 6 PM—8 PM, join community members of all ages and backgrounds as we celebrate Black history through poetic tributes to people, past and present, who've positively impacted our lives. This event is FREE and will include storytelling, poetry, prose, music, food, and beverages.    Key Event Details: Parking for the event is paid, so plan accordingly. Want to join the Open Mic? Sign up here: https://forms.gle/a1rwf9f8NHdv8Qk97. Spots are first come, first served. Event registration closes on 2/11. Featured Artist:  L. Lamar Wilson, Affrilachian Poet and the 2024-2025 Mohr Visiting Poet at Stanford University

YOU(th) Belong is partnering with the Georgia Safe Schools Coalition for the 2025 Annual Summit for Georgia's LGBTQIA+ Youth on Saturday, February 15, from 8 AM – 5 PM at Agnes Scott College. This free, one-day event brings together LGBTQIA+ youth, supportive educators, and parents from across Georgia for a day of education, entertainment, and community building. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate with others committed to creating safe and inclusive schools. 

Join us for a preview of Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP, a new documentary film from PBS's American Experience, premiering Tues., Feb 25, at 9/8c on PBS stations nationwide.  The screening will be followed by a panel discussion featuring the filmmakers and interviewees from the film.  American Experience is proud to partner with The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, APEX Museum, and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights to present this event.    About the film:  While many consider the birth year of the civil rights movement to be 1955, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on an Alabama bus, the stage had been set decades before by activists of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. While some NAACP leaders, such as W.E.B. Du Bois and Thurgood Marshall, are widely renowned figures, Walter White, head of the Association from 1929 to 1955, has been all but forgotten. With his blond hair and blue eyes, Walter White looked white; he described himself as “an enigma, a Black man occupying a white body.” Like virtually all light-skinned African Americans of his day, White was descended from enslaved Black women and powerful white men. But he was Black — by law, identity, and conviction, and spent his entire life fighting for Black civil rights. Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP traces the life of this neglected civil rights hero and seeks to explain his disappearance from our history.    Panelists:  Michelle Smawley (director) is an award-winning director, series developer, and educator. She has worked with ABC, CBS, CNN, HBO, and many others, most recently running a year-long series for a statewide initiative for WNET. She was also the founding executive producer for TRAX, the first podcast network for preteens, which earned a Peabody Award nomination in 2021. Smawley is an adjunct professor at NYU. She has also served on the faculty of the Missouri School of Journalism and the Graduate Program in Social Documentary at the School of Visual Arts.  Rob Rapley (writer, producer) is the founder of Apograph Productions and has written, directed, and produced many award-winning films for American Experience, including most recently The Lie Detector and Voice of Freedom. Rob has received three Emmy nominations, a Writer’s Guild Award, a duPont-Columbia Award, and many other honors. A classically trained musician, Rob was also nominated for an Emmy as a sound mixer and has engineered Grammy-winning recordings with some of the great classical artists of our time.  The conversation will be moderated by Cameo George, executive producer of American Experience. George is an Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, and journalist with more than 25 years of experience in documentary, broadcast television, and digital content production. She has produced, developed, and commissioned innovative programming at CNN, NBC News, and ABC News. She was also the senior producer of CNN’s groundbreaking series Black in America and Latino in America and was executive producer of the eight-hour PBS documentary series 16 for '16: The Contenders, which was also broadcast on the BBC. George joined American Experience from ABC News, where she was head of development for long-form projects and was responsible for creating a pipeline of docuseries and feature documentary films across Walt Disney Television platforms, including ABC News, Hulu, National Geographic, and Disney+. She was recently named to The Root’s list of 2024’s 100 Most Influential Black Americans.  ---  Major funding for American Experience provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance, Carlisle Companies, and by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Funding for Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom. Additional funding for American Experience provided by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, The American Experience Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers.   

In honor of what would be Congressman Lewis’s 85th birthday on February 21st, 2025, Atlanta Downtown and WABE present a FREE screening of the documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble at the Rialto Center for the Arts at GSU, followed by a panel discussion with Atlanta civic leaders moderated by Rose Scott from WABE. Join us before the film for a lobby fair from 6:00 – 7:00 PM featuring activities by the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Theatre doors open at 6:30 PM and the film begins at 7:00 PM. The panel discussion will be held from 8:30 - 9:00 PM. PLUS: The first 200 attendees will receive a free birthday treat to celebrate the Congressman's 85th birthday! Sponsored by VyStar Credit Union

Join The National Center for Civil and Human Rights at Constellations on Auburn Avenue as we amplify the importance of Sweet Auburn in Black history. Learn local history from our speakers, take a tour with our staff, and enjoy music and refreshments throughout the day as we honor the important work that took place in these buildings.  Celebrating Black History in Sweet Auburn will feature engaging speakers at Constellations, a civic and socially based shared workspace in the Southern School Book Building. This building served as the headquarters for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) when John Lewis was its Chairperson.  Guests are invited to take our walking tour, which explores the meaning, importance, and impact of historic buildings and murals, including the District V "Honor" mural featuring Roslyn Pope and the John Lewis "HERO" mural.  The Burke Music Academy will perform at the Historic Daily World Building, which was where Club Poinciana operated between 1944 and 1954, below the Atlanta Daily World offices. Club Poinciana once featured such greats as Billie Holliday, Louis Armstrong, Little Richard, and Benny Goodman.   Light refreshments and children's activities will be provided.  This program is generously sponsored by PNC.     Featuring: Burke Music Academy   EVENT SCHEDULE Time Action Location 9:00am Doors Open Constellations and Atlanta Daily World 9:15am First Walking Tour begins (runtime approx 20 minutes) Meet in front of Atlanta Daily World 9:30am Kama Pierce greets guests and introduces Samantha Jones of PNC. Constellations Entertaining Space Opening Remarks and introduction of Jai Ferrell by Samantha Jones Constellations Entertaining Space 9:35am Remarks by Jai Ferrell, CEO of The Girl Scouts of Great Atlanta, followed by an introduction of Rhonda Barrow Constellations Entertaining Space Rhonda Barrow Speaks Constellations Entertaining Space 10:15am Second Walking Tour (runtime approx 20 minutes) Meet in front of Atlanta Daily World 10:35am Gene Kansas welcomes guests and introduces Tuere Butler Constellations Entertaining Space 10:40am Tuere Butler Speaks Constellations Entertaining Space 11:15am Burke Music Academy Performance Atlanta Daily World  11:30am Gene Kanas Speaks Constellations Entertaining Space 12:00pm Gene Kansas Book Signing Constellations Library 12:00pm Podcast Room is open for Oral History Constellations Podcast Room 12:00pm Third Walking Tour (runtime approx 20 minutes) Meet in front of Atlanta Daily World 12:30pm Burke Music Academy Performance Atlanta Daily World 1:00pm End of Program ONGOING ACTIVITIES  Time Action Location Ongoing Refugee Coffee - Tea and pastries Constellations and Atlanta Daily World Ongoing Crafts and interactive kids' activities Mission Control   FEATURED SPEAKERS Jai Ferrell is an award-winning global executive with expertise in leadership, commercial/revenue programming, marketing strategy, customer experience, operations, and personnel management.   Ms. Ferrell is the Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta (GSGATL), serving over 30,000 girls and volunteers. Most notably, she is the first person of color to lead the organization in its 100+ year history. Before joining GSGATL, she was the Chief Commercial Revenue Officer for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), managing the commercial portfolio that exceeded $1.5 billion in gross revenue each year under her leadership.    Rhonda Barrow is the Co-Public Relations Chair and Caribbean SIG Coordinator for the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.- Metro Atlanta and Jean Sampson Scott Greater New York Chapter. Ms. Barrow leads research on Atlanta’s first Black Girl Scout Troops, known as District V.  She researched and curated a District V Girl Scout exhibit at the Atlanta Girl Scout Council office, which was also featured at the Hartsfield Jackson Airport and the Atlanta History Center, and her work inspired the honor mural on the former Atlanta Daily World building in Sweet Auburn. She is a noted historian, receiving the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. National Certificate of Appreciation award for her research projects, among them The 100-Year Anniversary Coalition to ‘Remember the 1906 Atlanta Race Riot’ and the Bailey-Camp Project with the African American Heritage Museum and Research Center.     Tuere K. Butler, Strategic Operations & Culture Architect, grew up in Washington, D.C., but now calls Atlanta, GA home, residing in Poncey-Highlands with her husband, Nate, and their bernedoodle, Jettson. She is a proud alumna of Spelman College, where she earned her BA in English. For 22 years, Tuere's professional career was rooted in politics, serving Congressman John Lewis as his District Director in his Atlanta office. As his longest-serving employee, her portfolio included Homeland Security, Immigration, and Military & Veterans Affairs.  In the summer of 2024, Tuere returned to school and earned a certificate in Nonprofit Executive Management from Georgetown University, further strengthening her expertise in the nonprofit sector.  Most recently, Tuere served as the Director of Operations for Plywood People, a nonprofit based in Atlanta’s Historic West End that supports a global community of social impact leaders. She left Plywood People in August and now offers her expertise as a fractional executive, helping organizations build teams and foster healthy, efficient work cultures. Her skills have earned her invitations to speak on podcasts and at events, where she shares her best practices.  When she’s not working, Tuere spends her time mentoring young adults, traveling, and pursuing photography. She is deeply inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to action: "Life's most urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" This question continues to guide her commitment to empowering others and making a meaningful impact. 

Join us on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Oceans Ballroom at the Georgia Aquarium for Power to Inspire 2025. This special evening will honor The Honorable Shirley Franklin, former Mayor of Atlanta, recognizing her lifetime of achievements as mayor, policymaker, educator, and true public servant. The event begins at 6 PM with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and program at 7 PM, and concludes with a dessert reception. Cocktail attire is requested. Reserve your table or tickets today to be part of this inspiring celebration. 

Join us at St. Mark United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 15, from 2:00-4:00 PM, for our second annual Bayard Rustin Day, a cross-generational celebration of the legacy of civil rights icon and architect of the March on Washington, Bayard Rustin, who is featured at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.  The critically acclaimed 2024 Netflix film "Rustin," which received 13 wins and 66 award nominations, brought visibility and recognition to Bayard Rustin, a celebrated icon of the US Civil Rights movement who is featured at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.  Just two days before Bayard Rustin's birth (March 17, 1912), the LGBTQ+ Institute at NCCHR will celebrate its second annual Bayard Rustin Day, honoring the man who mobilized collective action for civil rights. Themed "Ready to Meet the Moment," the day will address what it means to be angelic troublemakers in light of attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, specifically trans and non-binary young people.  The day will include contributions from youth poets and a panel dedicated to addressing how we show up for trans and non-binary community members, followed by a fireside chat featuring Dr. Terence Lester on "Coming Out As an Ally." 

Join the Center for Civil and Human Rights at Westside Park for a day of music, wellness, and connection at Atlanta’s Soul Healing Picnic. This vibrant festival celebrates R&B, Soul, and the power of healing, featuring live DJs, great food, games, and wellness vendors. The Center will host an information table and guided walking tours, sharing the rich history of Westside Park and its significance in the community. Come out, feel the vibes, and enjoy a beautiful day of healing, joy, and celebration.

Join TEAM Institute for AIDS Walk Atlanta 2025 TEAM Institute invites you to take part in AIDS Walk Atlanta 2025—a vibrant 5K run/walk that brings together passionate individuals and teams united in the fight against HIV and AIDS. We walk in solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth, raising our voices and our steps in support of health equity, empowerment, and inclusion. Every dollar raised helps provide essential services, advocacy, and support for young people affected by HIV. Together, we’re breaking down stigma and building a future where all LGBTQ+ youth can live openly, joyfully, and fearlessly. Whether you’re walking, running, or cheering from the sidelines, your presence matters. Join TEAM Institute and be part of a movement that believes in hope, dignity, and change. AIDS Walk Atlanta AIDS Walk Atlanta works to bring attention to this pressing issue, educate and inspire our community to work together, and end the epidemic once and for all.   The LGBTQ+ Institute The LGBTQ+ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights cultivates the next generation of advocates by engaging our most dynamic and diverse community leaders and organizations committed to human dignity. We do this by connecting LGBTQ+ history to our present advocacy and by facilitating educational initiatives, social programming, and civic engagement with a particular focus on the US South. The Institute acknowledges that youth and young adults, both historically and currently, play a huge role in advocating for the communities who are most marginalized, mobilizing values-aligned advocates for social justice, and working with a broad and diverse group of cross-generational leaders, mentors, and community members who are committed to justice for all.

Join us for the unveiling of a powerful new mural commemorating the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre and honoring the resilience of a community that has endured and thrived.  The 119th commemoration is more than remembrance—it is a call to truth-telling, resilience, and transformation. Created by renowned Atlanta-based artist Fabian Williams, this mural stands as both art and resistance. Each brushstroke honors lives lost, the strength of those who endured, and the possibilities of a more just future.  Set in Historic South Atlanta, once known as Brownsville, the event invites neighbors, families, and community partners to reflect, remember, and celebrate a neighborhood that has long been a symbol of strength in the face of systemic injustice.  Come witness history, connect with community, and join Atlanta’s ongoing journey toward justice and healing. 

Featured authors Julian Winters, I Think They Love You: A Novel, and Kelly Quindlen, This Must Be the Place, will sit down with Cam Argotsinger, Director of Public Engagement at The Center, to share their personal experiences and perspectives on writing in a time of increasing challenges to free expression.  This engaging session will include an audience Q&A, offering attendees the opportunity to explore the real-world impact of censorship on young adult literature and the authors behind it.  Books by both Kelly Quindlen and Julian Winters will be available for purchase at the event, or online through Brave + Kind Books via this link.   About the Moderator Cam Argotsinger is the Director of Public Engagement at The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. As Director of Public Engagement, Cam creates programs Cup of Truth, Reel Truth and Truth on the Rocks to engage audiences through a variety of experiences.   Cam graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in History. He has served as a Museum Interpreter, Educational Outreach Coordinator, and Director of Membership for the Atlanta History Center, a Museum Educator at the White House Historical Association, and a Park Ranger for the National Park Service on the National Mall.

About IGNYTE Be Where the Future of LGBTQ+ Leadership Begins IGNYTE 2025 isn’t just an event—it’s a movement. This dynamic, four-day experience unites emerging youth leaders, seasoned advocates, business trailblazers, and community changemakers to reimagine what equity looks like across generations. Set against the backdrop of Atlanta Pride and the LGBTQ+ Institute’s 10-year anniversary, IGNYTE offers rare access to cutting-edge workshops, bold conversations, and visionary keynote speakers driving real impact across the South and beyond. If you care about the future of civil and human rights—if you believe in the power of mentorship, collaboration, and youth-led transformation—this is where you belong. Come network, learn, and be part of what’s next. At IGNYTE we will: Innovate leadership development models that reflect the complexity of our identities and the urgency of our times. Generate cross-generational dialogue that fuels collaboration, wisdom-sharing, and solidarity. Nurture authentic relationships that uncover untapped resources and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community. Yield a new generation of changemakers to lead in civil and human rights across every sector. Train informed allies to advocate for communities historically excluded from decision-making spaces. Engage a bold network of intergenerational leaders committed to collective liberation and mutual accountability.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights invites guests to participate in a timely conversation on leadership, justice, and the responsibilities that accompany visibility.  Following decades of experience as an NBA executive with the Atlanta Hawks, San Diego Clippers, and Denver Nuggets, author Pete Babcock offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on how athletes, institutions, and movements intersect. His story extends beyond the game, exploring relationships with civil rights leaders such as John Lewis and his work helping players leverage their influence to drive meaningful change in their communities. Courts of Justice challenges the comfortable assumption that professional sports exist apart from society.  Join us for an engaging evening of dialogue, reflection, and insight, one that asks not only what justice looks like, but who has the power to shape it. A discussion, audience Q&A, and a book signing with Pete Babcock will follow the talk.  The Center is located at 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., between the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola.  Doors open at 6pm. Located in the Shirley Clarke Franklin Pavilion at the Center. 

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with FREE admission to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on Saturday, January 17, 2026, presented by FedEx. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and advance reservations are strongly encouraged.  In addition to exploring the Center’s galleries, visitors can enjoy family-friendly activations throughout the day, including scavenger hunts, book readings, button making, and a challenge wheel. Together, these experiences invite visitors of all ages to reflect, learn, and engage with King weekend programming that connects Dr. King’s legacy to today’s ongoing work for justice and human rights. 

Join us at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on MLK Day for a meaningful day of reflection, learning, and connection, honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Guided by this year’s theme, “The Time Is Right to Do What’s Right,” MLK Day at the Center invites visitors to move beyond remembrance and toward action. Often described as a day on, not a day off, MLK Day is a call to reflect on Dr. King’s vision and consider how his work continues to shape today’s ongoing struggle for civil and human rights.  Throughout the day, visitors of all ages are invited to engage with the Center’s galleries and participate in hands-on, family-friendly activities designed to inspire learning, creativity, and changemaking. Activities include a Dr. King scavenger hunt through the Civil Rights and King galleries (available at the lobby activity table), a DIY King button-making station, and a collaborative mural inspired by images from Dr. King’s life, the civil rights movement, and his words.  Featured Program:At 11 AM in The Glenn, join us for a powerful performance by the young artists of the Palefsky Collision Project, who return each year on MLK Day to reimagine their summer work through the lens of Dr. King’s legacy. This year’s performance revisits Blaze, an original piece inspired by Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower, directed by Sam Provenzano with creative collaboration from Maya Lawrence (Playwright), Rodney L. Williams (Director of Artistic Mentorship), and David Koté (Music Director).Free with museum admission. Whether you are visiting for the first time or returning, MLK Day at the Center offers an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy and to affirm that the time is right to do what’s right.

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights invites you to a special screening of Portrait of Ailey, a powerful documentary that examines the life, legacy, and contradictions of one of America’s most transformative cultural figures, Alvin Ailey. Through rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and the enduring language of movement, Portrait of Ailey explores how Ailey’s work emerged from the lived realities of Black life in America. Shaped by faith, trauma, beauty, discipline, and survival, the film asks what it meant for a Black artist from the Jim Crow South to build an institution that would carry Black stories onto the world’s most prestigious stages. Following the screening, join us for a live conversation and audience Q&A featuring Alicia Graf Mack, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and former Ailey star dancer, alongside two distinguished Atlanta-based scholars and cultural leaders: Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, author of Atlanta and the Civil Rights Movement, 1944–1968 and Georgia and the Power of the Vote, and Assistant Professor of Africana Studies and Director of Public History and Historic Preservation at Morehouse College; and Dwight Andrews, Professor of Music Theory and African American Music at Emory University and pastor of First Congregational Church in Atlanta. Together, the panel will engage Portrait of Ailey not simply as art, but as testimony—exploring the intersections of dance, music, faith, history, and Black cultural memory. This one-night-only screening and conversation takes place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 6:30–8:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:00 PM, in the Shirley Clarke Franklin Pavilion at the Center. Admission is $12 for not-yet-members and $6 for members. This event is presented in advance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s separate performances at the Fox Theatre, taking place February 11–15, 2026.

Kick off Black History Month by experiencing the power of Black art as a force for expression, resistance, and change. Guests can discover how Black artists have shaped history through creativity and storytelling while participating in hands-on, family-friendly activities throughout the Center.  Activities Include  Black History Month scavenger hunt (10:00 AM – 3:30 PM)  Morning storytime and activity (10:30 AM – 11:30 AM)  Craftivism activation led by a Black guest artist, highlighting art as a form of protest  Included with general admission 

Join us for a special pop-up concert celebrating love, culture, and creativity. Spend part of your Valentine’s Day immersed in live music that invites reflection, connection, and joy. “All About Love” is included with museum admission, offering visitors a meaningful way to experience art, history, and music together during your visit to the Center. “All About Love” is an audience-immersive performance presented by students of the Burke Music Academy. Through dynamic performances and intentional storytelling, the concert serves as a social commentary on how music created by Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color has historically shaped American and global popular culture. Centered on love as both a personal and collective force, the performance highlights the cultural impact, emotional depth, and lasting influence of BIPOC musical traditions across genres and generations. Burke Music Academy (BMA), based in Atlanta, GA, offers conservatory-level musical instruction in a modern way to students at all stages of development. Founded in 2020, BMA serves students of all ages through private lessons, educational outreach, workshops, and performance opportunities. Their curriculum-based instruction is structured to accommodate diverse learning styles, with visual aids, supplemental videos, online resources, check-ins between lessons, and practice guides. BMA fosters the whole artist from the earliest stages of development through advanced study. Their programs are innovatively designed to support virtual and in-person lessons, workshops, and performances.

Get ready for a day of imagination at the Center. On February 21, 1202Puppets brings two interactive performances to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Designed to spark curiosity and confidence, this special event invites children and families to experience the magic of live puppetry in a playful, meaningful, and unforgettable way. Following the performance, children will have the opportunity to take part in puppet making, transforming inspiration into creation. This interactive element extends the storytelling experience beyond the stage, giving children a tangible, creative way to express themselves. 1202Puppets’ Puppet Making & Performance is included with museum admission. 1202Puppets is an Atlanta-based, African American–owned puppetry company dedicated to inspiring children through interactive storytelling and creative expression. Founded by Storyteller Lynn Gordon, 1202Puppets combines live puppet performances with hands-on puppet-making, inviting children to participate, create, and use their voices. Through joyful, engaging experiences, the company celebrates culture, literacy, and imagination while helping children feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Bank of America’s Museums on Us program provides one free general admission to participating museums for eligible cardholders on the first full weekend of every month. To receive free admission, present an active Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit card along with a photo ID at the ticketing window. Important details: Free admission applies to the individual cardholder only. The offer is non-transferable and does not guarantee admission. Cannot be combined with other offers. Excludes fundraising events, special exhibitions, and ticketed exhibitions.

This Saturday, bring the whole family to celebrate women of the past, present, and future with hands-on, interactive experiences. Help us create our collaborative mural—a vibrant tribute to changemakers who have shaped our world and to those carrying their legacy forward.  Enjoy family-friendly activities designed to spark curiosity, celebrate leadership, and inspire conversations across generations. Join us as we honor trailblazing women and empower the next generation of leaders.  Activities:  Story Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM   Women Changemakers Biography Search: 10 AM – 3 PM   Women of the Past, Present, and Future Mural: 10 AM – 4 PM 

Organize The Future: Rooted. Rising. Ready. Organize The Future: Rooted. Rising. Ready., honors the life, legacy, and enduring relevance of Bayard Rustin through an evening of reflection, dialogue, and artistic expression rooted in justice and human dignity. Building on the spirit and success of our inaugural celebration, this year’s program brings together historians, advocates, and creatives whose work embodies Rustin’s vision of courageous, nonviolent leadership and community care as activism. Special guests will include Evan Malbrough, Walter Naegle—returning from our 2024 program—and two dynamic intergenerational panel discussions. Together, we invite the community to remember Rustin not only as a historic figure, but as a living call to action—one that challenges us to lead with integrity, imagination, and love.

Join the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta for Cup of Truth: Collecting Women’s Stories: Power, Preservation, and Institutional Responsibility. Women’s voices have long shaped movements for justice, equality, and human rights. Yet too often, their stories remain underrepresented in the historical record. This conversation will bring together leaders and storytellers to reflect on why preserving women’s lived experiences matters and how these narratives deepen our understanding of history and community. The event will also mark the launch of the Center’s call for Atlanta-based stories to be included in the Empathy Museum’s powerful exhibit, A Mile in My Shoes—an immersive experience that invites participants to step into someone else’s life through personal storytelling. Join us for a panel discussion with Montreal Museum curator Catherine Charlebois and Journalist Jeremy Redmon as we celebrate the voices that continue to shape our shared history.   Catherine CharleboisMontreal Museum Curator Catherine is a curator, author, and researcher known for designing exhibitions that center the lived memories of communities. A leader in museum-based oral history, she has led award-winning projects that highlight the power of living memory. She currently serves as Chief Curator of Collections, Exhibitions and Programming at the MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises. Her exhibitions, including Lost Neighbourhoods and Scandal! Vice, Crime and Morality in Montreal, have received major international recognition. Catherine is also the co-author of two award-winning books and several scholarly articles on oral history in museums. She previously worked at the McCord Museum and Museum Village and holds an MA in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program.   Jeremy Redmon Award-Winning Journalist  Jeremy Redmon is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and educator with more than three decades of experience reporting on war, politics, and mental health. His work often explores trauma and resilience and has appeared in publications including Smithsonian, Oxford American, The Bitter Southerner, The War Horse, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and Richmond Times-Dispatch. His writing has been recognized by The New York Times, Best American Essays, and Longreads. Redmon teaches at the University of Missouri School of Journalism and was a 2022 Ochberg Fellow with the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma. He holds degrees in English from George Mason University and an MFA in narrative nonfiction from the University of Georgia. His memoir, "Tell the Kids I Love Them," is scheduled to be published this fall by the University of South Carolina Press.   Vicki Crawford, Ph.D. Professor and Director Dr. Vicki Crawford is Endowed Professor and Director of the Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection where she develops campus and community-based programming that advance the teachings of Dr. King. In addition, she is general editor for the Morehouse College King Collection Series on Civil and Human Rights at the University of Georgia Press. Her groundbreaking volume of essays, Women in the Civil Rights Movement: Trailblazers and Torchbearers, (1993) was one of the first publications to address the under-researched role of women in the Black Freedom Struggle. Other publications include a journal article, “Coretta Scott King and the Struggle for Civil and Human Rights along with a co-edited book titled, Reclaiming the Great World House: The Global Vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. She holds a Ph.D. degree in American Studies from Emory University. Dr. Crawford is a graduate of Spelman College and the University of Georgia.

This Saturday, bring the whole family to celebrate women of the past, present, and future with hands-on, interactive experiences. Help us create our collaborative mural—a vibrant tribute to changemakers who have shaped our world and to those carrying their legacy forward.  Enjoy family-friendly activities designed to spark curiosity, celebrate leadership, and inspire conversations across generations. Join us as we honor trailblazing women and empower the next generation of leaders.  Activities:  Story Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM   Women Changemakers Biography Search: 10 AM – 3 PM   Women of the Past, Present, and Future Mural: 10 AM – 4 PM 

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights embraces this milestone as a time to celebrate how far we’ve come, honor the stories that have shaped us, and reflect on the work that continues to move us forward. It’s an opportunity to gather in community, recognize our shared history, and imagine what we can build together. Join us at the Center for a vibrant weekend of programs that invite you to reflect, connect, and be inspired to help shape the future of our democracy.  

We Hold These Truths is an Equitable Dinners experience marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The objective is to provide participants with a space to share their stories, hopes, and dreams for our country's future, and to bridge divides and connect with neighbors. Through storytelling, food, and dialogue, participants will leave feeling hopeful, connected, and inspired to create a world where everyone thrives!    The event will follow the format of Equitable Dinners:   A Play: Experience a thought-provoking short play    A Meal: Share a meal at a table with friends and strangers   A Conversation: Engage in a guided discussion led by trained facilitators     About the Play   "Ancestral Reckoning" by Marcie Rendon is a one-woman play about an Indigenous woman whose voice carries the wisdom, resilience, and teachings of generations. She tells a story that explores the enduring impact of colonization on Indigenous communities while illuminating the strength that has sustained Indigenous peoples despite centuries of displacement, erasure, and resistance.    At the heart of the experience is a question: What does America look like seven generations from now? Drawing from the principle of considering the long-term impact of today's decisions, this conversation moves beyond immediate challenges and asks participants to imagine a future grounded in stewardship, justice, reciprocity, and community. Attendees will be encouraged to think expansively about the legacy being created for future generations and what it will take to build a nation that honors both people and the land.

Free Museum Admission Day in Honor of Independence Day Weekend Celebrate Independence Day weekend with a meaningful and memorable experience at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. On Friday, July 3, 2026, visitors of all ages are invited to explore the Center at no cost during this special Free Museum Admission Day, made possible through the generous support of UPS. Spend the day engaging with powerful exhibitions that connect the U.S. civil rights movement to global human rights struggles. Through immersive storytelling and interactive experiences, you will discover stories of courage, justice, and social change that continue to shape our world today. RSVP required. Reserve your spot in advance to secure entry.

On Saturday, August 29 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, join us for our Educator Preview and experience the museum for yourself while discovering exciting opportunities for your students. Meet our Education Team, explore our exhibits, and see how the National Center for Civil and Human Rights can support learning both inside and outside the classroom. The event includes opportunities to connect with educators, learn about available resources, and explore how a visit can enrich your curriculum. During your visit you'll: Explore our expanded Civil Rights Gallery and our brand-new children’s gallery Change Agent Adventure. Learn how our programs align with the Georgia Standards of Excellence. Receive a specially curated Change Agent Adventure map and educator field guide. Discover educational resources designed to support classroom learning. Learn about field trip options and the booking process for your students. Whether you're looking for meaningful ways to bring civics, history, and human rights to life or simply want to experience the museum firsthand, this preview event will provide inspiration, practical resources, and new ideas for engaging learners throughout the school year. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow educators, explore the museum, and start planning your next unforgettable field trip. Reserve your spot today!

Join the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a free professional learning workshop featuring acclaimed professor, author, and filmmaker Dr. David Childs and actor, author, and activist Karyn Parsons (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Sweet Blackberry). Together, they will explore how literature, film, and history can help bring civil rights stories to life in today's classrooms and communities.  Designed for educators, homeschool groups, parents, school leaders, and community members, this interactive workshop includes guided discussions, writing activities, and practical teaching strategies. Drawing from Parsons' Clouds Over California and Childs' Escaping from Home, participants will leave with new resources and ideas for fostering meaningful conversations about history, justice, and cultural diversity.      What You'll Gain  Classroom-ready lesson plans and educational resources  Strategies for teaching civil rights history through literature and storytelling  Tools for fostering inclusive and culturally responsive learning environments  Historical context and research that support meaningful student engagement  Ideas and activities that can be applied in classrooms, homeschool settings, and community programs    Featured Speakers  Karyn Parsons  Actor, author, and activist Karyn Parsons is widely recognized for her role as Hilary Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She is also the founder of Sweet Blackberry, an organization dedicated to sharing stories of unsung Black historical figures through books and films.  Dr. David Childs  Dr. David Childs is a professor, author, filmmaker, and researcher whose work centers on African American history, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and social justice education. His scholarship and creative work explore innovative ways to connect historical learning with contemporary issues.