The Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History and Reconciliation Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Civil Rights History & Reconciliation
The Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History & Reconciliation Foundation seeks to bring about positive change and reconciliation through collecting, preserving, and telling the stories of the important struggle for civil rights in Tuscaloosa.
Civil Rights Tourism
Tuscaloosa will become an important tourist destination for civil rights history through the implementation of a civil rights trail, museum, and other resources recognizing historical honesty as a vital companion to economic, moral, and intellectual prosperity.
To that end we shall work to:
- Establish a Civil Rights Trail for the city and environs;
- Place Tuscaloosa on the Alabama Civil Rights Trail;
- Locate markers in appropriate, significant areas;
- Offer tours of these locations;
- Collect artifacts and memorabilia (or digital representations) for the purposes of preservation and exhibition;
- Provide opportunities for community events;
- Plan for an eventual Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Museum.
This community endeavor includes Tuscaloosa area citizens who experienced and participated in the events of “Bloody Tuesday”, leaders within the community, and faculty and staff and students from Stillman College and the University of Alabama.
Foundation Board Members
Mary Shannon Wells
Southern Living
Statements
The Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History and Reconciliation Foundation stands in solidarity with the tens of thousands of non-violent protestors opposing the senseless killing of unarmed black citizens. The most recent killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd are the latest in a long and painful history of racial violence and compel us to examine the core values of American democracy.
Dedicated to preserving the history of racial justice and promoting racial reconciliation across West Alabama, The Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History and Reconciliation Foundation affirms progressive action that will bring down the walls of systemic and systematic racism. It stands against injustice of any form against any person. And it seeks to build a nation in which economic opportunity among and between citizens is a reality.
[Law Enforcement] The Foundation is in support of working with local governments and stakeholders to create a citizens’ advisory committee to improve community policing and root out both systemic and systematic racism in law enforcement across West Alabama.
[Community] The Foundation seeks to work with elected officials to achieve greater diversity and equitable representation in all areas of government.
