FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montgomery, AL – April 23, 2025 —The We Shall Someday Project and Alabama Values proudly presents We Shall Today: The Montgomery Event Series in partnership with community organizations. 

• City of Montgomery
• The Freedom Rides Museum
• Alabama Forward
• Shake the Field
• Think All Be All,  
• Let ‘Em Speak
• King’s Canvas
• Dr. Richard Harris House
• Black Women Rest, 
• Reckon With
• The NewSouth Bookstore
• Montgomery Public Schools
• Friends of the Freedom Rides Museum
• City of Montgomery
• Alabama Historical Commission

We Shall Today is a multi-day celebration rooted in the courage and legacy of the Freedom Rides. Anchored by the debut of the We Shall Someday musical, debuting at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on April 25, the We Shall Today community series revives Montgomery’s civil rights history through storytelling, art, and community dialogue.

From April 24 to May 6, the project activates historic landmarks and neighborhoods with public programming, including a mural unveiling, a community celebration at King’s Canvas, and a healing dialogue at the Harris House—one of the original Freedom Ride safehouses.

“As a resident of Montgomery’s Westside—a place rich in civil rights history but also deeply impacted by systemic neglect—the We Shall Someday Project gave me a chance to ‘do the work’ to uplift my community,” said Vincent Hall, a Montgomery community leader. “I’m grateful to the people and ancestors who gave me life, pride, and resilience.”

The centerpiece of the We Shall Today series is the original musical We Shall Someday, which tells the story of three generations of a Black family navigating legacy, identity, and liberation. Opening night will take place at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where community members, youth, and civic partners will gather to experience this powerful performance.

“We Shall Someday reflects a new vision for activist theater—one that reaches underserved audiences and supports local leaders through storytelling,” said Ted Shen, the musical’s composer and co-creator. “In these times, uplifting the history of the Freedom Rides is more than reflection—it’s a strategy for advancing dialogue and action in our communities.”

Each event in the series brings community members together to reflect on Montgomery’s unique role in civil rights history and the ongoing fight for justice today. From the Supper at a Safehouse fundraiser to student engagement through Montgomery Public Schools, the project invites residents and visitors alike to connect past and present.

“We are proud to partner on the We Shall Today community event series because this is exactly what narrative power looks like in action. Montgomery isn’t just a historic backdrop, it’s a living archive. Through art, dialogue, and community-centered storytelling, we’re reclaiming place, honoring legacy, and advancing a future where justice and joy co-exist. At Alabama Values, we believe that place-based storytelling isn’t just about remembering—it’s about mobilizing.” – Anneshia Hardy, Executive Director, Alabama Values.

Events Include:

• April 24: Supper at a Safehouse Hosted by the Friends of the Freedom Rides Museum 5:30 – 8:00 PM | 333 South Jackson Street, Centennial Hill, Montgomery
• April 25: We Shall Someday Musical Opening Night | Alabama Shakespeare Festival 
• May 3: Freedom Rides Mural Unveiling | 10 AM – 11 AM | Freedom Rides Museum 
• May 4: We Shall Today: Freedom Riders 64th Anniversary Community Block Party  | 5 PM – 8 PM | King’s Canvas
• May 6: Intergenerational Community Dialogue | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Dr. Richard Harris House
  

All community events are free and open to the public with RSVP, unless noted.  

• Visit https://weshallsomedayproject.com to learn more about the musical and buy tickets. For media inquiries: Loren Simon, loren@fifteeneastmediagroup.com, and Ragini Subramanian, ragini@fifteeneastmediagroup.com
• Visit www.alvalues.org/event/WeShallToday to rsvp for community events or sign up to volunteer.  For Media Inquiries: Anneshia Hardy, Media@alvalues.org

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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. 

We Shall Someday Project brings performances of We Shall Someday into cities along the 1961 Freedom Riders’ route to uplift the important history of the Freedom Rides as central to the Civil Rights Movement and to inspire dialogue in local communities aimed at advancing community engagement and activism on the ground. The We Shall Someday Project is committed to working with theaters and performing arts centers, alongside community activists and organizations, to build meaningful partnerships and wrap-around programming that unify local communities around social justice goals. 

Freedom Rides Museum located in Montgomery’s historic Greyhound Bus Station, commemorates the courageous actions of the 1961 Freedom Riders who challenged segregation in interstate travel.

Dr. Richard Harris House served as a sanctuary for Freedom Riders during the Civil Rights Movement, symbolizing the resilience and solidarity of those who fought for justice.

King’s Canvas is dedicated to providing opportunities and access for underdeveloped and underexposed artists in Montgomery, fostering creative placemaking and community engagement through the arts.

Think All Be All is a creative arts and business incubator committed to creating, innovating, and experimenting to expand the realm of possibility and opportunity within the community.

Let ‘Em Speak Literary Arts is dedicated to empowering writers, promoting literary education, and fostering meaningful community connections through curated events, dynamic workshops, and innovative creative platforms.”

Black Women Rest is a  501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to advancing holistic wellness and intergenerational connection by providing accessible, curated safe spaces where women can rest, reconnect with themselves, and heal from personal and systemic stressors. Through transformative experiences such as workshops, rest experiences, and educational resources, we support women in cultivating long-term, sustainable well-being rooted in rest, restoration, and community care.

Alabama Forward is a state-based 501(C)(3) civic engagement coordinating table committed to advancing movement towards greater freedom and progressive, solution-oriented policy among a diverse coalition of Alabama-based partner organizations, so that every Alabamian can engage in the democratic process. In pursuit of this mission, Alabama Forward will prioritize race and gender equity to engage every Alabamian in all aspects of our democracy.

Shake the Field works to create an encouraging and fun space for Alabamians aged 18-45 to cultivate pro-democracy civic identities and relationships, while also embracing a commitment to long-term investment in Alabama’s civic engagement, artistic, and cultural communities.

Reckon With supports individuals, particularly those identifying as white, in acknowledging and repairing racial injustice within themselves, their families, and institutions they are part of, fostering daily practices of equity and accountability.

The NewSouth Bookstore is an independent bookseller in Montgomery, Alabama, offering a curated selection of new and used books that reflect the diverse voices and histories of the South.

Montgomery Public Schools is committed to engaging, educating, and inspiring students to succeed in college, career, and beyond, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Friends of the Freedom Rides Museum is a nonprofit organization that supports the museum’s mission and connects it to other sites that tell the essential American story of the Freedom Rides.

City of Montgomery is dedicated to providing outstanding public services, ensuring the health and safety of the community, and supporting economic development to foster a vibrant and inclusive city.Alabama Historical Commission’s mission is to protect, preserve, and interpret Alabama’s historic places, ensuring that the state’s rich heritage is accessible and appreciated by future generations.