National Civil Rights Museum

09/09/2026

The Classic is more than a game. 🏈✨ It’s the tailgate. The bands. The reunions. The HBCU pride. The Divine Nine showing OUT. It's a Memphis tradition that brings generations together year after year.

Add the National Civil Rights Museum to your Classic itinerary. September 9–16, show your paraphernalia or your student/alumni ID and get $3.50 off admission — because this history belongs to the SHC Fans, the Divine Nine, and every HBCU family in town for the Southern Heritage Classic.

Come experience the history. Use the link below; the discount is automatically applied at checkout.
https://visit.civilrightsmuseum.org/?promo=shc

09/08/2026

Meet Christian Love — a 2025 Keeper of the Dream Award winner and one of this year’s Freedom Award Student Forum co-hosts!

Christian, a senior at Lausanne Collegiate School, is passionate about closing equity gaps for students across the Mid-South. Through Opportunity Bridge 901, the youth-led platform he founded, he connects students with leadership programs, workshops, summer institutes, and college-prep opportunities that help level the playing field.

We’re proud to welcome Christian back as he helps lead this year’s Student Forum and continues proving that impact can start at any age.

Join us in celebrating Christian and the next generation of changemakers at the Freedom Award Student Forum! Register your student groups for the in-person experience or the national livestream at https://civilrightsmuseum.org/freedom-award/student-forum/

09/07/2026

What a summer. ☀️

✨From community celebrations and unforgettable events to moments of reflection, discovery and joy, this summer gave us so much to remember. And as one season ends, another milestone begins.

This September, the National Civil Rights Museum is celebrating 35 years of preserving history, sharing stories and inspiring action. As a thank you for being part of our story, we’re celebrating all month long with special opportunities to receive $3.50 off Museum admission in honor of our 35th anniversary.

Summer may be winding down, but there’s still plenty to experience. 35 years. $3.50. One incredible story that continues with you. 🎟️ Stay tuned throughout September for discount codes and opportunities to save on your visit.

09/06/2026

🎙️ From activist to Episcopal priest, The Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu shares a powerful journey of purpose, faith, and advocacy.

In this episode of Imagine an America, Rev Tutu reflects on civil and human rights struggles in the U.S. and around the world — and reminds us why vigilance and steadfast action still matter today.

Listen and subscribe to the Imagine an America podcast now. https://civilrightsmuseum.org/imagine-an-america/podcast/

09/05/2026

in 1939, Claudette Colvin—who would later become the first Black woman arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus—was born in Montgomery, Alabama.

09/03/2026

The National Civil Rights Museum mourns the passing of Gloria Steinem, pioneering writer, activist, organizer, and 2019 Freedom Award honoree.

For more than half a century, Steinem helped transform the women’s rights movement and deepen our nation’s understanding of equality, freedom, and justice. A powerful voice and movement builder, she challenged barriers, mentored younger generations, and championed the shared struggle against sexism, racism, and injustice.

We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, mentees, and all who were inspired by her life’s work.

Gloria Steinem’s legacy calls us to continue pursuing equality with courage, community, compassion — and the joy and laughter that sustained her journey.

09/03/2026

✨ The National Civil Rights Museum proudly celebrates the 35th Freedom Award, honoring extraordinary leaders whose courage, vision, and impact continue to move us closer to justice and equality.

Join us as we recognize this year’s honorees: civil rights attorney Fred D. Gray; President & CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, Shavon Arline-Bradley; attorney, author, and political commentator Bakari Sellers; and WNBA Champion and advocate Nneka Ogwumike.

Be part of this unforgettable ceremony on October 1 at the Orpheum Theatre.

🎟️ Tickets & sponsorships are now available at freedomaward.org

09/03/2026

08/31/2026

Meet Jaylen Hunter, host of this year’s Freedom Award Student Forum!

The Memphis native and rising actor made his major Hollywood debut as young Marlon Jackson in the 2026 biopic Michael. Jaylen will help welcome students in grades 5–12 to an inspiring program that connects young people with civil and human rights leaders.

Educators and youth leaders: register your student groups for the in-person experience or the national livestream at https://civilrightsmuseum.org/freedom-award/student-forum/

08/30/2026

We remember the late Clara Jean Ester, a native Memphian, LeMoyne-Owen College alumna, United Methodist deaconess, civil rights advocate, community organizer, and servant leader whose life was rooted in faith, love, justice, and service.

With details shared by her family, we honor Clara’s decades of ministry, activism, and community leadership, including her service as former international vice president of United Methodist Women, now United Women in Faith. Mentored by Dr. James Lawson, Clara became active in the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike while a junior at LeMoyne-Owen College, organizing rallies and attending strike meetings.

On April 4, 1968, Clara was present on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot. She later reflected that witnessing his death deepened her commitment to love and nonviolence.

This episode of Imagine an America was recorded on April 4, 2026, three months before Clara’s passing, when Clara spoke at the National Civil Rights Museum’s observance and visited the balcony for the first time since Dr. King’s assassination.

Listen as Clara shares the powerful details of that historic day and reflects on her enduring legacy of courage and service.

Listen and subscribe to Imagine an America today.