Montgomery, AL — [June 11, 2025] — Alabama Values, in partnership with History Consultants Inc., invites media and the public to Been Banned: Disrupt Myths, Reclaim Truth—a special Juneteenth virtual briefing taking place on Thursday, June 12 at 6:00 PM CST. This timely conversation will examine how misinformation, disinformation, and historical myths have been used to shape public understanding and control the narrative around Black communities.
Held in observance of Juneteenth, this briefing is the public launch of the Been Banned Workshop Series—a traveling community education and advocacy program focused on book bans, censorship, and truth-telling in public spaces. The session will include a keynote lecture by Dr. Kimberly Brown-Pellum of The History Consultants and grounding remarks from Alabama Values Executive Director Anneshia Hardy.
“We are witnessing a dangerous erasure of truth in our public institutions,” said Anneshia Hardy, Executive Director of Alabama Values. “This series empowers communities to fight back by anchoring resistance in our shared history and cultural memory.”
From false stories of delayed freedom to the backlash against Black self-determination, Been Banned confronts distortions that shape public policy and discourse. The event will also highlight the launch of the summer-long series hosted in schools, libraries, and community centers across Alabama.
Virtual Briefing Details:
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Time: 6 pm
Virtual: Register at alvalues.org/event/BeenBanned
“Education is an access point to freedom. When access to accurate and diverse histories is banned, so is our right to exist freely and fully in public life,” said Dr. Kimberly Brown-Pellum. “We’re offering more than workshops—we’re creating opportunities for folks to see our present as an outcome of the past and to see themselves as active choreographers in shaping the future.”
For media inquiries or to RSVP for the virtual briefing, please contact Branda Johnson at media@alvalues.org.
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Alabama Values:
Alabama Values is a grassroots communications organization working to raise awareness and increase engagement around community issues in Alabama. They work directly with grassroots civic organizations advocating to build power and break down barriers to civic participation for communities across the state.
History Consultants Inc.:
Founded by Dr. Kimberly Brown-Pellum, History Consultants Inc. specializes in public history, social justice education, and memory work. HCI collaborates with communities, organizations, and institutions to preserve history, honor legacy, and challenge erasure.