BIRMINGHAM CIVIL RIGHTS INSTITUTE

As BCRI transitions into its 20th Anniversary year (1992-2012), the leadership and staff remain committed to the work of its mission: to promote civil and human rights worldwide through education. BCRI is a museum, a place of research, a teaching facility and an acknowledged learning center for people of all ages and backgrounds. Since opening in 1992, it has been visited by over two million people from all 50 states and all over the world, including adults, school children, students, researchers and scholars. BCRI exists to tell the story of what happened in the past, to portray that story realistically and interestingly, and to understand it in relationship to the present and future development of human relations in Birmingham, the United States and the world. BCRI has received commendations and national recognition for its impact. They include: (2005) Accreditation by the American Association of Musuems, one of only six museums in the state of Alabama, and less than 5% of musuems in the country have this designation; (2006 & 2007) Two National Awards at The White House-2006, Coming Up Taller Award for after-school programs, and 2007, National Medal for Museum and Library Service; (2007) Named Smithsonian Institution Affiliate; (2009) Named Alabama Attraction of the Year by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel.