The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) has been a crucial cornerstone of preserving the legacy of the civil rights movement in the Magic City since its doors were first opened in 1992. The building, located in the Birmingham Civil Rights District across from the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park, brings in people from all over the nation so that they can learn more about how famous figures like Martin Luther King Jr. partnered with Birmingham youth, later called foot soldiers, to challenge the United States’ morality and fight for a more equitable country for all.
There is no doubt of the importance that the BCRI holds, but how does a museum keep people returning to its door after they’ve visited once? This is something that the Institute’s marketing leadership has been pondering. Many residents of Birmingham visited BCRI with their school when they were younger, and don’t necessarily see the need to return back. With this dilemma in mind, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is looking to bring a modern approach to their marketing and event experience. This was explained at a recent influencer walk-through the museum that Alabama Values and a Do The Vote Thing influencer were honored to attend.
Tiffani Saxton, Vice President of Marketing, explained that BCRI is “bringing the gallery to life” at this year’s anniversary celebration which takes place on Wednesday, November 20th, beginning at 4pm. There will be “live performances, music, dance. The anniversary night will not be a night to read all of the content and have a history lesson. It will be an opportunity to re-engage with a story you are familiar with. To consider its relevancy over the next 32 years. To really trigger the emotions of the galleries and inspire folks that night to say ‘This is important and we need to be a part of it. The future of it needs to include me.’”
After hearing Tiffani’s explanation of the BCRI’s vision moving forward, we were led on a tour of the institution by Historical Content Expert Barry McNealy. While the night of the anniversary won’t be focused on reading every placard, we would highly recommend coming another day to talk a walkthrough while being accompanied by an expert like Barry. Before the tour, McNealy explained that the anniversary was a moment “to share the institute’s history as well as its future.”
It was easy to see the institute’s vision as we listened to Barry and walked through the BCRI with fashion influencers, city of Birmingham employees, and aspiring college students. Birmingham’s past impacted an entire nation, and many in our present and future are more than willing to continue that legacy.