National and local leaders, community organizers, students, clergy, lawyers, educators, writers, and activists share their stories through interviews, speeches, and on-the-spot news reports. The accounts cover a range of experiences and perspectives, documenting the struggle to integrate the segregated South and achieve full citizenship rights for African Americans. The civil rights movement remains a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of those who fought for justice and equality.  The National Center for Civil and Human Rights is a museum dedicated to the achievements of the African American Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the broader worldwide human rights movement. Explore the connections between the U.S. civil rights movement and the global struggle for human rights. The museum features exhibits that delve into pivotal moments, leaders, and the impact of this movement.  Among its permanent exhibits, you’ll find the papers of Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent leader in the civil rights movement. Step back in time and experience a simulated lunch counter sit-in, where you can engage with the challenges faced by activists during the civil rights movement.  Next, head to Georgia Pacific Gallery Plaza, an outdoor space with sculptures that encourage reflection and dialogue. 

The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail is a 54-mile trail in Alabama commemorating the people, events, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Black and White non-violent supporters fought for the right to vote in Central Alabama.   The trail follows public roads through the City of Selma, Lowndes County, and Montgomery.  Visit the Lowndes and Montgomery Interpretive Centers. These centers provide valuable information about the history, places, and stories that influenced the marches and the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Watch the short film titled “The Way to Freedom,” which tells the story of the Selma Movement through the words of local community members.  Read about instrumental places during the Civil Rights Movement in Central Alabama, both historically and currently. 

The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta, Georgia, is a significant site that commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Visit the house where Dr. King was born and learn about his early life.  Ebenezer Baptist Church played a central role in Dr. King’s life.  Take a guided tour of the neighborhood where he grew up and explore the church where he worshipped. The church is also where Dr. King delivered powerful sermons that moved hearts and minds. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”) is located within the park and is dedicated to promoting Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolent social change. It includes exhibits, archives, and a memorial tomb where Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, are interred. Next, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, informally known as the National Lynching Memorial, is a powerful and poignant tribute to the Black victims of lynching in the United States.  The National Memorial is a sacred space dedicated to truth-telling and reflection about racial terrorism and its enduring legacy. The heart of the memorial consists of more than 800 corten steel monuments, each representing a county where a racial terror lynching occurred.  These monuments bear the engraved names of over 4,400 Black people who were killed in racial terror lynchings between 1877 and 1950.  The design is both striking and somber, evoking the weight of history and the lives lost.   The Peace and Justice Memorial Garden provides a serene setting for reflection and remembrance. The Peace and Justice Memorial Center nearby commemorates 24 people who were killed in racially motivated attacks during the 1950s, including Emmett Till.  The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is not just a physical site; it’s an opportunity to engage with history, empathy, and the pursuit of a more just society.

This morning, we’ll head to Birmingham, Alabama, where the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument stands as a powerful testament to the struggle for equality and justice during the Civil Rights Movement. Established in 2017, this national monument commemorates the pivotal events of the 1963 Birmingham campaign, including the Children’s Crusade and other significant actions. We will explore some key sites within the monument. The 16th Street Baptist Church is a historic church that played a central role in the movement. It gained worldwide attention due to tragic events, including the 1963 bombing that killed four young girls. Today, it stands as a symbol of resilience and hope.  Next is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which was founded in 1993. The institute offers detailed exhibits that chronicle Black and White life from the late 1800s to the present. Learn about pivotal moments, such as Rosa Parks’ arrest and the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark bus desegregation ruling. The A.G. Gaston Motel served as the headquarters for the Birmingham campaign.  This motel was a hub of activity during the movement. It’s a place where history unfolded, and its preservation is crucial. Bethel Baptist Church is our next stop. While Sixteenth Street Baptist Church draws attention, Bethel Baptist Church also played a significant role. Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, its pastor, was instrumental in bringing Birmingham to the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. Lastly, stroll through Kelly Ingram Park where statues of attack dogs serve as a stark reminder of the violence faced by non-violent protesters during the movement. This afternoon, drive to Atlanta.

This morning, we finish our journey in Atlanta, a city steeped in the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. Our first stop: the historic Sweet Auburn District.  Once the spiritual heart of the Civil Rights Movement, Sweet Auburn is a neighborhood that resonates with history. It’s where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born and raised and where he preached alongside other civil rights leaders.   Explore Auburn Avenue, once known as the “richest Negro street in the world,” and discover its rich history. Many Black-owned businesses, shops, and restaurants in this area have ties to the movement. Cascade Heights and Southwest Atlanta were neighborhoods home to affluent African Americans who broke down racial barriers. Cascade Heights, in particular, became one of the city’s richest neighborhoods for Black residents. Head to Montgomery this afternoon after exploring more of Atlanta. 

Montgomery, Alabama, offers a rich tapestry of historical and cultural attractions. 

Civil Rights Memorial Center: Designed by Maya Lin.  This memorial commemorates the sacrifices made during the Civil Rights Movement. It’s a powerful tribute to those who fought for justice and equality.  

Rosa Parks Museum:  Rosa Parks, an iconic figure in the movement, refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger. Her act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the fight against segregation.  

Freedom Riders Museum: Learn about the brave activists who challenged segregation by riding interstate buses through the South. The museum provides insights into their struggles and the violence they faced.

Southern Poverty Law Center Civil Rights Memorial: Honors the martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement. It’s a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for justice and equality.

The Alabama State Capitol Building: Served as the endpoint of the third march for voting rights from Selma. It’s a symbol of the fight for voting rights in Alabama.

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church: Visit the church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once preached. It’s a historic site that played a crucial role in the movement.

Lynching Memorial: Reflect on the painful history of racial violence and lynching in America. The memorial serves as a somber reminder of the struggle for civil rights.

Frank M. Johnson Jr. Courthouse: This courthouse, where Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. presided, played a role in landmark civil rights cases.

Stroll Through Riverfront Park: Take a leisurely walk along the riverfront and enjoy the scenic views. It’s a great way to relax and soak in the atmosphere.

Eating In Montgomery: Don’t miss out on trying some Southern comfort food! Consider having lunch at Dreamland Bar-B-Que or exploring other local restaurants.

Tuskegee has a rich history related to civil rights. Tuskegee was home to an “experiment” during World War II to determine if African Americans could be trained as combat pilots. The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, bombardiers, navigators, dispatchers, and technicians. Women were part of this group, working as secretaries, mechanics, control tower operators, and parachute riggers. The Tuskegee Airmen formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps, becoming the first African-American military aviators in the nation’s history. Tuskegee’s contributions to civil rights continue to inspire and shape our understanding of equality and justice in the sight that we will see today.

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site: Moton Field, located in Tuskegee, Alabama, holds significant historical importance as the primary flight facility for African-American pilot candidates during World War II.  From 1941 to 1946, over 1,000 Black pilots were trained at Tuskegee. This group included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and instructors associated with the Army Air Corps program in Tuskegee. 

Tuskegee University: Founded by Booker T. Washington, this historically Black university played a significant role in education and civil rights. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke here, and the university was involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

Tuskegee History Center: Learn about the local history, including the Civil Rights era, at this center. It provides insights into the struggles and achievements of African Americans in Tuskegee.

Butler Chapel AME Zion Church: This historic church was a gathering place for civil rights activists. It’s worth visiting to understand its role in the movement.
The 1968 Student Uprising at Tuskegee Institute: After Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, students at Tuskegee Institute occupied a building on campus, demanding reforms related to student governance, curriculum, and instruction.