The Civil Rights Activist Committee is hosting the Foot Soldiers’ 63rd anniversary celebration on May 2, 2026. This year’s theme, “Honoring the Legacy – Uniting the Neighborhoods – Inspiring the Nation,” commemorates the 63rd anniversary of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement of 1963, including the historic Children’s March. This celebration honors the courageous young people who marched for justice and changed the course of American history. We believe there is no more fitting tribute than to have today’s students stand in the footsteps of the original Foot Soldiers.

The celebration will feature:

• Main Stage Program with tributes to Foot Soldiers, musical performances, and guest speakers
• Community Unity Village with booths representing Birmingham’s 99 neighborhoods
• Youth Legacy Zone featuring student exhibits, art, and storytelling projects
• Evening Candlelight Tribute and Unity Walk symbolizing reflection, peace, and ongoing progress

This event provides a powerful, living-history educational experience for students of all ages. It is an opportunity to connect classroom learning about the Civil Rights Movement with the very ground where history was made—and to meet the Foot Soldiers who made it. For general event information, please contact the Civil Rights Activist Committee at (205) 518-0321 or email info@cracfs.org.

To coordinate student performers, MCs, or marching bands, please contact Charles Woods, III, Education Director & Coordinator of Outreach and Community Engagement at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, at (205) 328-9696 or cwoods@bcri.org.

We are grateful for your partnership in preserving and promoting the legacy of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. Together, we can ensure that the courage of the 1963 Foot Soldiers continues to inspire the next generation.