The City of Birmingham commemorating 60 years since the 1963 Birmingham campaign for civil and human rights
For the entire year of 2023, the City of Birmingham – in partnership with area churches, arts organizations, activists, businesses and nonprofits – will honor the challenges, lessons and triumphs of the 1963 Birmingham civil and human rights movement. The 60th commemoration will include programs, events, workshops, and entertainment that will be open to the entire community.
“The eyes of the world were on Birmingham in 1963 while a battle was waged for the equal rights of all of its residents,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “We plan to spend 2023 remembering and reflecting on the people and events that helped to break down segregation not only in Birmingham, but in our country.”
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May 2023 Theme: “Daring to Dream”
Sixty years ago, brave children as young as 8 years-old marched along Birmingham’s streets and even filled jail cells in pursuit of social justice. Today, we enjoy many freedoms because of their heroic acts.
The City of Birmingham’s “Forging Justice” commemoration of 1963 continues. This month’s theme in our yearlong poster series is “Daring to Dream.” Get a free poster at City Hall today.
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“You don’t have to be a leader in a movement in order to make a difference,” Janice Kelsey told Reckon Alabama. “I was not in charge of anything. I was just one of many. As long as it’s something that you believe in and you’re doing your part, then change came happen and it doesn’t have to come at your direction.”
Forging Justice from 1963 until today and beyond
The year 1963 was pivotal in our history, featuring several marches and demonstrations as African Americans demanded the rights promised to them as American citizens. Youth as young as eight years-old participated in a Children’s Crusade where youngsters marched and were jailed for freedom. Under the leadership of college students, a selective buying campaign was launched where Black residents only bought from businesses that provided equal access to all. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested and penned his famous “Letter from the Birmingham Jail.” Domestic terrorism also rocked the city. The A.G. Gaston Motel was bombed on Mother’s Day, and on Sept. 15, 1963, four little girls were killed in a tragic bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church.
The theme for the year is “Forging Justice.” Birmingham is known for its steel production and also its racial past. Today, however, just like steel melds together different elements to make a singular strong force, the city has worked to forge relationships among all races, religions, ethnicities and creeds.
The City’s role in the commemoration will be to highlight and support the number of programs taking place during the year. Planned events include the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing commemoration, the Children’s March reenactment, a national convention of Black journalists, concerts, exhibits, a healing conference, and tributes to Dr. King and the Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth. Birmingham also will host peacemakers from around the world with the International Peace Conference & Peace Week on May 1-5, 2023.
“2023 marks a major milestone in Birmingham’s history,” said Denise Gilmore, senior director of the division of Social Justice and Racial Equity. “We have an opportunity to reflect on the past while standing united in the continued pursuit of civil and human rights. Our collective work ensures that Birmingham will be an enduring light to the world.”
“In addition to reflecting on the past, we also are excited to show the world how far our city has come, not only in race relations, but also in technology, medicine, banking, and culinary excellence,” Mayor Woodfin said.
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Each month will feature a theme that will help to guide programming:
- January – Unity
- February – Black Resistance
- March – Women
- April – Clergy
- May – Children and Youth
- June – Restorative Justice
- July – Environmental Justice
- August – Storytelling
- September – Civil and Human Rights
- October – Social Justice
- November – Arts and Culture
- December – Economic Opportunity
MONTHLY POSTERS-COLLECT THEM ALL!
Please visit Birmingham 365
- for information on events throughout the year.
A Celebration of Art and Activism: 8 Years of The March Quilts Project
05-06-2023
07-08-2023
Presented by Bib & Tucker Sew-Op at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch, Birmingham
Thu, Jun 08 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jun 09 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jun 10 @ 9:00 am Mon, Jun 12 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jun 13 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jun 13 @ 4:00 pm Wed, Jun 14 @ 9:00 am Thu, Jun 15 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jun 16 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jun 17 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jun 17 @ 1:00 pm Mon, Jun 19 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jun 20 @ 9:00 am Wed, Jun 21 @ 9:00 am Thu, Jun 22 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jun 23 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jun 24 @ 9:00 am Mon, Jun 26 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jun 27 @ 9:00 am Wed, Jun 28 @ 9:00 am Thu, Jun 29 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jun 30 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jul 01 @ 9:00 am Mon, Jul 03 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jul 04 @ 9:00 am Wed, Jul 05 @ 9:00 am Thu, Jul 06 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jul 07 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jul 08 @ 9:00 am - less dates and times
We have a summer full of programs scheduled for this exhibition. For those who participated in TMQ8: A(MEND), both quilts from 2022 will be unveiled on May 6. The exhibition will be available to the public whenever the library is open. If you...
[more+]We have a summer full of programs scheduled for this exhibition. For those who participated in TMQ8: A(MEND), both quilts from 2022 will be unveiled on May 6. The exhibition will be available to the public whenever the library is open. If you stop by, please tag your visit with #themarchquiltsproject.
[less-]Tags: Forging Justice
Better Together Business Market
03-18-2023
07-22-2023
Presented by Urban Impact Inc. at 4th Avenue Historic District, Birmingham
Happening on 16th Street N., between 3rd and 4th Avenues N., these markets will put a spotlight on current merchants in the district, as well as BECOME (BEBHM) business accelerator participants and alumni. These markets will kick off in March and...
[more+]Happening on 16th Street N., between 3rd and 4th Avenues N., these markets will put a spotlight on current merchants in the district, as well as BECOME (BEBHM) business accelerator participants and alumni. These markets will kick off in March and continue throughout the summer. Be sure to follow us on social media to meet all of our vendors and stay up to date on markets!
[less-]Tags: Forging Justice
Forgotten Heroes Open House
08-19-2023
08-19-2023
Presented by Negro Southern League Museum at Negro Southern League Museum, Birmingham
Tags: Forging Justice
4 Little Girls
09-14-2023
09-14-2023
Presented by The Morgan Project at Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, Birmingham
With a virtual introduction from Spike Lee come see the 4 Little Girls film and stay for a conversation with the survivors and victim's families.
The mission of The Morgan Project is to teach civil rights and social justice through...
[more+]With a virtual introduction from Spike Lee come see the 4 Little Girls film and stay for a conversation with the survivors and victim's families.
The mission of The Morgan Project is to teach civil rights and social justice through Birmingham’s history of conflict and courage.
[less-]Tags: Forging Justice
A Celebration of Art and Activism: 8 Years of The March Quilts Project
05-06-2023
07-08-2023
Presented by Bib & Tucker Sew-Op at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch, Birmingham
Thu, Jun 08 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jun 09 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jun 10 @ 9:00 am Mon, Jun 12 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jun 13 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jun 13 @ 4:00 pm Wed, Jun 14 @ 9:00 am Thu, Jun 15 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jun 16 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jun 17 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jun 17 @ 1:00 pm Mon, Jun 19 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jun 20 @ 9:00 am Wed, Jun 21 @ 9:00 am Thu, Jun 22 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jun 23 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jun 24 @ 9:00 am Mon, Jun 26 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jun 27 @ 9:00 am Wed, Jun 28 @ 9:00 am Thu, Jun 29 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jun 30 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jul 01 @ 9:00 am Mon, Jul 03 @ 9:00 am Tue, Jul 04 @ 9:00 am Wed, Jul 05 @ 9:00 am Thu, Jul 06 @ 9:00 am Fri, Jul 07 @ 9:00 am Sat, Jul 08 @ 9:00 am - less dates and times
We have a summer full of programs scheduled for this exhibition. For those who participated in TMQ8: A(MEND), both quilts from 2022 will be unveiled on May 6. The exhibition will be available to the public whenever the library is open. If you...
[more+]We have a summer full of programs scheduled for this exhibition. For those who participated in TMQ8: A(MEND), both quilts from 2022 will be unveiled on May 6. The exhibition will be available to the public whenever the library is open. If you stop by, please tag your visit with #themarchquiltsproject.
[less-]Tags: Forging Justice
Better Together Business Market
03-18-2023
07-22-2023
Presented by Urban Impact Inc. at 4th Avenue Historic District, Birmingham
Happening on 16th Street N., between 3rd and 4th Avenues N., these markets will put a spotlight on current merchants in the district, as well as BECOME (BEBHM) business accelerator participants and alumni. These markets will kick off in March and...
[more+]Happening on 16th Street N., between 3rd and 4th Avenues N., these markets will put a spotlight on current merchants in the district, as well as BECOME (BEBHM) business accelerator participants and alumni. These markets will kick off in March and continue throughout the summer. Be sure to follow us on social media to meet all of our vendors and stay up to date on markets!
[less-]Tags: Forging Justice
Forgotten Heroes Open House
08-19-2023
08-19-2023
Presented by Negro Southern League Museum at Negro Southern League Museum, Birmingham
Tags: Forging Justice
4 Little Girls
09-14-2023
09-14-2023
Presented by The Morgan Project at Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema, Birmingham
With a virtual introduction from Spike Lee come see the 4 Little Girls film and stay for a conversation with the survivors and victim's families.
The mission of The Morgan Project is to teach civil rights and social justice through...
[more+]With a virtual introduction from Spike Lee come see the 4 Little Girls film and stay for a conversation with the survivors and victim's families.
The mission of The Morgan Project is to teach civil rights and social justice through Birmingham’s history of conflict and courage.
[less-]Tags: Forging Justice
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