From left to right: Mayor Andre Dickens, Board Member Ed Potter, CEO Jill Savitt, Board Member W. Imara Canady, philanthropist Arthur M. Blank, former Mayor Shirley C. Franklin, Board Member Egbert Perry, Board Member AJ Robinson, Board Member Michelle Moorehead, Board Member Katie Fahs
Photo by Sam Nunez, courtesy of Juneau Construction Company
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights welcomed supporters, partners, and community members for a ribbon cutting that marked the reopening of the expanded Center. The morning carried a sense of pride as people gathered to watch the ribbon fall and the doors open once again.
Arthur M. Blank, former Mayor Shirley Clarke Franklin, Mayor Andre Dickens, Board Chair Egbert Perry, Co Chair AJ Robinson, CEO Jill Savitt, and Juneau Construction CEO Nancy Juneau stood together at the entrance before cutting the ribbon. Students from CJ Hicks Elementary began the ceremony with a thoughtful performance that set the tone for the day.
Jill Savitt spoke about the meaning of the moment. “This Center was built to show how history speaks to the present,” she said. “These new spaces give people room to reflect, learn, and take part in shaping what comes next.”
Shirley Clarke Franklin reflected on the Center’s journey. “When we opened the Center, we wanted history to live in the present,” she said. “Seeing it reopen even stronger shows that Atlanta’s commitment to truth and justice continues.”
Mayor Andre Dickens shared the city’s support. “This ribbon cutting shows what progress looks like,” he said. “This project brings people together, and it strengthens the spirit of our city.”
Opening Day: Welcoming the Community Back Inside
Four days later, the Center held its Opening Day celebration. Guests of all ages explored the new and reimagined galleries, including the signature Lunch Counter experience. Families, students, and longtime supporters moved through the building at their own pace, taking time to absorb the stories and voices that shape the Center’s work.
Giyawen Mata, an all-female African drum and dance troupe, welcomed guests with a moving performance. Their presence gave the day a sense of reflection and joy. Photos of them performing in the main lobby captured the spirit of the event: open, warm, and grounded in community.
The day also featured music from V-103 with Big Tigger broadcasting live, drawing visitors from across the city and filling the plaza with steady energy.
Looking Ahead
The coming year will bring a full calendar of programs, conversations, and community gatherings. The expanded spaces will allow for student groups, public events, and new opportunities for people to explore stories that shape our shared life.
If you have not yet visited, now is the time. Walk through the galleries. Sit at the Lunch Counter. Spend a few moments with Dr. King’s papers. Experience the reimagined installations that show where we have been and where we are going.
We invite you to plan your visit and be part of this next chapter. The doors are open, and there is much to see.
