A City Embraces Its Past, Looks to the Future: A Perspective on the Evolution of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute marks its twenty-fifth year as the focal point for the city's civil rights district. Inspired by the vision of Mayor David Vann, it became a reality under the leadership of the Dr. Richard Arrington, the city's first African American mayor. A team of committed community volunteers led the institute through thirteen years of development in spite of corporate skepticism and citizen resistance. BCRI evolved as a model for staff development, community engagement and leadership and is now a key partner in the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, a unit of the National Park Service established in 2017.