Tag: Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
BCRI Issues Statement After Not Being Included in State 2026 General Fund Budget
The statement, issued Thursday evening, came after the Alabama House of Representatives approved a $3.7 billion General Fund budget proposal for 2026 that did not include funding for the 32-year-old institution, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame or the Magic City Classic.
Traveling Exhibit Goes ‘Deeper’ Into Emmett Till’s Story, Civil Rights History of Host Cities
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Celebrates 30 Years
For decades, the BCRI has educated everyone from local students to global leaders about Birmingham’s role in the Civil Rights movement. Read more.
A New Mural, Shop at Birmingham’s Airport Pays Tribute to U.S. Civil Rights Trail
City and state leaders hope the mural gives visitors to Birmingham’s airport a memorable introduction to the city’s history within the civil rights movement. Read more.
BCRI Gets Emergency Funding From City of Birmingham
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will receive $250,000 in emergency funding from the city of Birmingham to continue operating for the next four months. But councilors warned that BCRI needs to find more sources of money, particularly since the city has lost significant revenue during the pandemic. Read more.
Birmingham Council Fills More Vacancies on BCRI, BMA Boards
After last week’s slew of appointments, the Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to add even more members to the boards of directors for the Birmingham Museum of Art and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Read more.
Mea Culpa: BCRI Apologizes, Offers Davis Award as New Group Moves Forward With Alternate Plans
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is “taking things day by day” as it awaits a response from civil rights icon Angela Davis to its offer to give her its highest award – an offer it made earlier then rescinded.
Meanwhile, the grassroots organization that formed after the institute rescinded its invitation to honor Davis announced its plans for her to come to town.
The Rev. Thomas Wilder, interim chairman of the BCRI board of directors, is awaiting an answer from Davis to the institute’s renewed wish to present its Reverend Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award to her.
“Right now the most immediate issue is to let Dr. Davis know how apologetic we are for whatever we’ve done that caused any disparaging remarks to her name or to her character,” Wilder said. “We think the right thing to do is to ask her to accept the award and then after that we’ll move forward.” Read more.
Civil Rights Institute Reverses Decision on Angela Davis Award Again
By Andrew Yeager, WBHM
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute will award Birmingham native Angela Davis its 2018 Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award — again.
Friday’s reversal is the latest development in a public controversy that has embroiled the institute for the past month.
BCRI officials announced in October that Davis would receive the annual award. But on Jan. 3, the board voted at a special meeting to rescind the award saying Davis did not “meet all of the criteria on which the award is based.” The decision prompted a wave of criticism, then an apology and the resignation of three board members. Read more.
Civil Rights Institute Apologizes as Questions Remain
By Sherrel Wheeler Stewart, WBHM
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute apologized Monday for the way it handled the decision around issuing the Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award. Officials canceled the award presentation to human rights activist Angela Davis after it had initially decided to give it to her.
“We acknowledge that the culmination of our decisions and actions has caused division in the community and compromised the good name of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on the world stage,” the board said in a prepared statement. “Regardless of the outcome of our vote, many have rightfully questioned our selection process, which we vow to improve.” Read more.
Group Sets Celebration of Angela Davis, Protests BCRI Revoking Its Award
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s controversial cancelation of its plan to honor civil rights icon Angela Davis continues to generate aftershocks.
A grassroots collection of civic, religious, legal, educational and business leaders announced Wednesday that it will honor Davis in a day that will conclude with an evening event – A Conversation with Angela Davis.
Earlier in the day, three members of the BCRI board of directors announced their resignation from that body. Chairman Mike Oatridge, first vice chairman Walter Body and secretary Janice Kelsey stepped away, effective immediately.
The BCRI had chosen Davis to receive the Shuttlesworth award during its annual gala next month. But several days ago, the institute rescinded that offer and canceled the gala, saying in a statement that Davis “does not meet all of the criteria on which the award is based.” Read more.
