Proposed Center for Birmingham’s Civil Rights District Draws Skepticism
Part of Birmingham’s identity was forged by the civil rights movement. A proposed development would build on that history through an internationally-recognized leadership center. The Global Forum for Freedom and Justice would be a major addition to the Birmingham Civil Rights District. The $40 million proposal is the brainchild of Washington, D.C. philanthropist Wayne Reynolds, and it’s generating skepticism in some parts of the community. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager spoke with Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West about the plans.
Interview Highlights
What the forum would be:
“He wants to create a forum that would kind of leverage the city’s historic legacy of civil rights, create an international gathering place that’s focused on leadership, education, innovation and understanding. So this would include everything from a partnership with a major university that would house about 1,200 students there, probably getting master’s degrees, to basically being a place where people could come visit. It’s not really a museum as much as it is a place where you would come, learn from global civil rights leaders and go away with an idea of how to take that back to your home and become a leader yourself.”
Reaction in the Birmingham community:
“It’s being received, I would say, with caution. At the meeting [of Birmingham community leaders] on Tuesday there were some questions about what would this mean for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. I think there’ve been questions about what this could mean for churches and historic sites like 16th Street Baptist Church. I think with the Civil Rights Institute, [Reynolds] was very clear in his remarks that we’re not meant to be a competitor. I think he views this, at least in his mind, as this is a complementary asset.”
What’s next:
“Right now there’s not a firm timeline. The next step that he addressed during the meeting was, we want to go out, we want to have communication and we want to continue to kind of spread the word and both clear up some of the misconceptions in their mind about what they’re trying to do. But also just have conversations with local leaders. I do think there is a level of excitement. I think while some people are concerned about what it would mean for this area or that area, I did get a lot of excitement. I just think they want to make sure it’s done in a way that has consensus in the community.”
Photo by Andre Natta
Q&A: Bobby Carter on leading Tiny Desk, his time at Jackson State, early career advice
Carter, a Jackson State alumnus, took over as the new series host and producer for NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts” series in April.
Alabama to begin working with a consulting company that’s under criminal investigation
McKinsey & Company, an international consulting business, will help the state of Alabama develop a new strategic economic growth plan. The company is undertaking that project, while also dealing with a probe into whether it engaged in a criminal conspiracy.
‘Stupidity of politics’: Medicaid expansion effort dies in Mississippi
Mississippi lawmakers couldn’t come together to pass a bill that could have expanded Medicaid for thousands of residents.
This spiky-stemmed invasive grass is taking over Alabama
Classified as one of the worst weeds in the world, cogongrass aggressively crowds out native species and costs Alabama landowners tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Gambling bill in doubt with three days left in the legislative session
Alabama lawmakers are coming down to the finish line for this year’s legislative session. Many bills await passage, but perhaps the biggest one up in the air is a lottery and gambling bill.
Pro-Palestinian demonstration draws counter-protest at University of Alabama
Students gathered demanding the school call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and to push the school to sever ties with defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
