About The Institute
About the Institute
Our Mission
MISSION: To enlighten each generation about civil and human rights by exploring our common past and working together in the present to build a better future.
VALUES: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is committed to:
- Preserving and telling the Birmingham story
- Being a good steward of archival and financial resources
- Creating programs that encourage cultural awareness
- Championing civil and human rights by facilitating an atmosphere of dialogue and understanding
Our Team
It takes a team of experienced and motivated professionals with a belief in our mission to enlighten each generation about civil and human rights by exploring our common past and working together in the present to building a better future.
To reach our staff, please email bcri@bcri.org.
DeJuana Thompson
President & CEO
Samantha Elliott Briggs, PhD
Vice President, Education
Wayne Coleman
Head of Archives
LaBarron McClendon
Vice President, Human Resources
Tiffani Saxton
Vice President, Marketing
Katina Smith
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Carol Wells
Vice President, Finance & Operations
Charles Woods, III
Director, Education & Training
Recognitions
- Alabama Attraction of the Year
- American Alliance of Museums Accreditation
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument Designation
- International Coalition of Sites of Conscience
- National Medal for Museum and Library Service
- Smithsonian Institution Affiliation
Board of Directors
- Isaac Cooper, Chairman, IMC Financial Consulting
- Danny Markstein, Vice-Chairman, Markstein
- Angela D. McKenzie, Treasurer, Regions Bank
- Nyesha Cheyenne Black, PhD, Secretary, Noire Analytics
- Carlos Alemán, PhD, Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
- Alice Bowsher, Alice Bowsher Consulting
- William H. Burgess, III, The Burgess Group
- Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Robert Dickerson, Birmingham Business Resource Center
- Deontée Gordon, TechBirmingham
- Daryl R. Grant, KPMG Advisory Services
- Anthony C. Hood, PhD, First Horizon Bank
- Rosilyn Houston, Santander US
- Natalie Kelly, Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC
- Jonathan Porter, Alabama Power
- John D. Saxon, John D. Saxon, P.C.
- Arian Simone, The Fearless Fund
- David A. Thomas, Starbucks
- Mashonda Taylor, Woodlawn United
- Rev. Gwendolyn C. Webb, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church/Foot Soldiers International, Inc.
- Nick Willis, PNC Bank
- Odessa Woolfolk, Chair Emerita
- Mayor Randall Woodfin, Ex Officio
- Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth, 1922-2011
Affiliates
- Association of African American Museums
- Smithsonian Affiliates
- American Alliance of Museums
- National Park Service
- The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium, Inc.
- Alabama State Department of Education via the Nita M. Lowery 21st CCLC
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is a cultural and educational research center that promotes a comprehensive understanding of the significance of civil rights developments in Birmingham. Founded in 1992, BCRI reaches more than 150,000 individuals each year though award-winning programs and services.
We stand strong as THE CORNERSTONE of the civil rights story, a living memorial with an ongoing mission.