About The Institute
About the Institute
Our Mission
MISSION: 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.
VALUES: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is committed to:
- Preserving and telling the Birmingham story
- Being a good steward of archival and financial resources
- Creating programs that encourage cultural awareness
- Championing civil and human rights by facilitating an atmosphere of dialogue and understanding
Recognitions
- Alabama Attraction of the Year
- American Alliance of Museums Accreditation
- Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument Designation
- International Coalition of Sites of Conscience
- National Medal for Museum and Library Service
- Smithsonian Institution Affiliation
Our Team
It takes a team of experienced and motivated professionals with a belief in our mission to enlighten each generation about civil and human rights by exploring our common past and working together in the present to building a better future.
To reach our staff, please email bcri@bcri.org.
DeJuana L. Thompson
President & CEO
Samantha E. Briggs, PhD
Vice President, Education
Wayne Coleman
Head of Archives
LaBarron McClendon
Vice President, Human Resources
Tiffani Saxton
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Katina Smith
Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Carol Wells
Vice President, Finance & Operations
Charles Woods, III
Director, Education & Training
Board of Directors
Isaac Cooper
Chairman, IMC Financial Consulting
Danny Markstein
Vice Chairman, Markstein
Angela D. McKenzie
Treasurer, Regions Bank
Nyesha Cheyenne Black, PHD
Secretary, Noire Analytics
Carlos Alemán, PHD
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
Alice Bowsher
Alice Bowsher Consulting
William H. Burgess, III
The Burgess Group
Tamera Coyne-Beasley, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Robert Dickerson
Birmingham Business Resource Center
Deontée Gordon
TechBirmingham
Daryl R. Grant
KPMG Advisory Services
Anthony Hood, PHD
First Horizon Bank
Rosilyn Houston
Santander Bank, N.A.
Natalie Kelly
Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC
Jonathan Porter
Alabama Power
John D. Saxon
John D. Saxon, P.C.
Arian Simone
The Fearless Fund
Mashonda Taylor
Woodlawn United
David A. Thomas
David Thomas Consulting
Rev. Gwendolyn C. Webb
Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church
Nick Willis
PNC Bank
Odessa Woolfolk, Chair Emerita
Mayor Randall Woodfin, Ex Officio
Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth, 1922-2011
Affiliates
- Association of African American Museums
- Smithsonian Affiliates
- American Alliance of Museums
- National Park Service
- The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium, Inc.
- Alabama State Department of Education via the Nita M. Lowery 21st CCLC
2023 Annual Report
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is a cultural and educational research center that promotes a comprehensive understanding of the significance of civil rights developments in Birmingham. Founded in 1992, BCRI reaches more than 150,000 individuals each year though award-winning programs and services.
We stand strong as THE CORNERSTONE of the civil rights story, a living memorial with an ongoing mission.