Read We need to renew our commitment to human and civil rights for all people on BU Today.

The mission of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is 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. We believe that human and civil rights are universal,...

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to Present the 2017 Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award to activist Harry Belafonte, Former Birmingham Mayor Dr. Richard Arrington, Jr. and to activist Viola Liuzzo In honor of its 25th Anniversary, the Birmingham Civil...

Original Post: November 19th, 2015 10:02 BCRI is privileged to have several subject matter specialists who are great resources for the media, scholars, educators, among others.  One of the most knowledgeable and accomplished is Ahmad Ward, BCRI's Head of Education and...

December 15th, 2015 14:24 Fear. It causes the best of us to make problematic decisions and say regrettable things.  Historically, fear has been at the root of some of the worst examples of discrimination and oppression this country has seen.  Fear of an emancipated...

Original Post: June 22nd, 2016 12:46 In August of 2014, on a local conservative talk radio station, I heard the host of a syndicated program liken African American protesters in Ferguson, Missouri  to “beasts,”  “animals,” and “savages.” He then equated people in...

Original post: August 3rd, 2016 14:03 As a Black man just entering his 40’s, I freely admit that there was a time when I believed certain things would not be achievable in my lifetime.  I thought that we may eventually see a Black Secretary of State or Attorney...

Original Post: February 2017 13:17 First of all I would like to pay homage to Carter G. Woodson who is responsible for starting Negro History Week and getting it recognized throughout the country which led to what we now know as Black History Month. Carter G. Woodson...

       “Why did people want to treat Black people badly?” said the little girl looking up at me at my first outreach as the new Outreach Coordinator for BCRI. (This particular outreach is called Tug – o – War and illustrates the struggles between the establishment and...