SUMMER/FALL 2021
Russ Wiggington Named NCRM President| NCRM 30th Double Anniversary | Freedom Award 21 Honorees
LETTER FROM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT Serving as interim president for the National Civil Rights Museum has been a life-changing experience as our team and Board of Directors has worked through both a pandemic and a search for a new leader. From making the difficult decision to close our doors for the first time since the opening, to mandating protocols to prioritize both our visitors’ and staff’s safety and reimagining our programming to reach and empower more people, our work has been challenging, but also rewarding. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, some of the same ideals that built this sacred place continue to sustain it, especially in these last nearly two years. These ideals resulted in collaboration and the desire to teach, inspire and uphold a world-changing history. The dedication and commitment of so many of our stakeholders and donors — you’ll read about them in our special Impact Report section — allowed us to reopen our doors to thousands of visitors after a multi-month closure and reach even more through virtual programming. I sincerely thank our Board of Directors and staff for entrusting
me with this responsibility at such a crucial time. Our team’s willingness to step up and work together has been inspiring, especially our frontline staff who interface with our visitors and leaves a lasting impression. Lastly, I am happy to welcome our new president, Dr. Russ Wigginton, a champion for history, education and equity. We are excited about the vision he will set for the Museum moving forward. I am honored to have had the privilege to serve.
Tsitsi Jones Tsitsi “Tee” Jones National Civil Rights Museum
NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM
WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT ON THE HEELS OF ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY
As the National Civil Rights Museum celebrates its milestone anniversary, it also celebrates the installation of its new president, Dr. Russell Wigginton, a longtime educator and community leader.
our quest for civil and human rights.”
Wigginton brings a wealth of experience in education, philanthropy, executive management and program development. His appointment as president comes at a pivotal time as the nation continues to grapple with issues of civil and human rights.
and senior-level administrator. He also holds a doctorate
“I am honored to serve as the new President of the National Civil Rights Museum. I have a 25year relationship with this inspiring institution and looking forward to helping us reach our full potential as a change agent in the world. I am committed to helping us raise our profile, impact and resources at the National Civil Rights Museum, and invite you to join us in
Wigginton’s roots are deeply entrenched in the city of Memphis. A Rhodes College alumnus and William Randolph Heart Fellow, he served over 20 years as a history professor degree in African American History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has served on numerous boards, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Facing History and Ourselves. In his new role, Wigginton, also a former NCRM board member, will lead the Museum into its next phase of growth by overseeing facility renovations, technological improvements, and operational and programmatic innovations. Wigginton is married married to Tomeka Hart Wigginton, Managing Director for Blue Meridian Partners, and has one son, Ryan, who is a senior at the University of Richmond.
NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM CELEBRATES
DOUBLE 30TH ANNIVERSARY
Nearly a decade before the National Civil Rights Museum opened its doors in 1991, a group of community leaders and changemakers led the efforts to preserve the structural integrity of the Lorraine Motel, following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through both grassroots and strategic organizing and fundraising, millions of dollars were secured from both ground-floor supporters and state and local government to restore the historic building—sacred ground—into the world-renowned museum it is today. To mark the milestone year, the National Civil Rights Museum hosted the 30th Anniversary Community Celebration on September 25 when museum hours were extended to thank the community for its helping hand in the founding of the Museum. As appreciation, admission to the Museum is free to the public, thanks to the generosity of longtime donor, FedEx. For more information about the museum’s community celebration, visit civilrightsmuseum.org.
After a gap year, the FREEDOM AWARD, the Museum’s esteemed award for global changemakers, returns virtually on October 14, 2021. Also celebrating 30 years, the first FREEDOM AWARD was held in 1991 with Coretta Scott King, James Farmer and Rosa Parks. as its first honorees. This year’s honorees are Michelle Obama, First Lady, attorney and author and The Poor People’s Campaign, led by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and special tribute, Darnella Frazier, George Floyd murder eyewitness whose camera footage was used to spark a movement in 2020. The Student Forum to engage and recognize youth. Actor and public speaker, Lamman Rucker, will host the ceremony. Learn more or purchase individual tickets for $100 at freedomaward.civilrightsmuseum.org.
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SPECIAL EXHIBIT CHRONICLES THREE DECADES OF NCRM The Museum recently debuted an exclusive exhibit in honor of the 30th Anniversary. The artifacts chronicle and reflect the planning and opening of the Museum to-date. The Department of Interpretation, Collections and Education put out a call to past and present supporters, and partners of the Museum, to collect memorabilia that represents the past 30 years. Nearly 100 artifacts were submitted, including structures from the original museum, vintage employee uniforms and cassette tapes used during museum tours. “It is important to collect and preserve these artifacts to celebrate the Museum’s growth and accomplishments within the last 30 years,” said Michelle Lopez, museum collections manager. “Artifacts can capture moments, reflect changes, and provide connections to the past and future, and each artifact can also hold many stories which can have diverse meanings for different people, past and present.”
Dr. Noelle Trent, Director of Interpretation, Collections and Education, also adds the memorabilia will remind supporters of the strong foundation the Museum was built on. “We’re putting it out there visually so NCRM Receptionist, Regina Crawford poses with a people can understand how far we’ve come and how we’ve risen to national and quilt on display as a NCRM tour guide. Courtesy of Regina Crawford international prominence over the last 30 years.” The exhibit will run through Spring 2022. Freedom Award Ceremony ticket, 2014 Courtesy of Laketa Brown
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MAURICEWEXLER RETIRED BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER Anyone who knew Maurice Wexler was aware that he loved the National Civil Rights Museum and all that it stands for. The care in which he read all the materials and engaged passionately on important issues contributed to the Museum’s commitment to excellence. The National Civil Rights family will miss Maurice, but his contributions to our mission will never be forgotten. - Russ Wigginton, NCRM President
Exhibit Alert
OUTSIDE THE LORRAINE As another connection to the 30th Anniversary, Outside the Lorraine: A Photographic Journey to a Sacred Place, is a collection of over 90 photos of visitors’ special moments and reactions to the outside of the Lorraine Motel, the death site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Featuring the work of David Katzenstein, the yearlong exhibition runs through April 2022.
UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, EXTRAORDINARY GIVING
The pandemic has hit the Museum, as it has other nonprofit organizations and like institutions. Pre-COVID, earned revenue (admissions and gift shop) were 60 percent of operating revenue for the Museum, but due to the pandemic, compared to fiscal year 2019, earned revenue for fiscal year 2021 and 2020 decreased by 56 percent and 33 percent respectively. Annual museum attendance for fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 decreased by 65 percent and 38 percent respectively. Yet you and other donors understood the impact of our work, you chose to step up so we could continue to provide programming, learning opportunities and a forum for people to gather, strategize or simply reflect. For that, we are grateful. At the height of the pandemic, the horrific murder of George Floyd was courageously captured by young Darnella Frazier on her cellphone, going viral. His death, along with the frustration and build-up of countless unjust murders of Black men and women, lit a fire in the hearts of many leading to worldwide protests, candid conversations about race, an intentional time of reflection and an even greater hunger to learn about the past to connect to our present.
And in Memphis marchers ended their protest in our courtyard – once again recognizing the power of this place, an historic site that remains a triumphant symbol of civil and human rights. Despite the pandemic and diminished financial and human resources, the Museum remained steadfast in its commitment to racial equity and social justice. The pressing issues of today are rooted in our past, and that history is relevant. Over the past 18 months, people and corporations have continually sought our guidance on their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. We continue this work with more innovation and partnership behind the scenes, developing programs that have the potential to make a difference. The innovation and nimbleness of our staff was evident with the Museum’s paradigm shift where in-person quickly became virtual events, programs, and training. Your understanding of our need to cancel signature events was greatly appreciated. Continued on the back
Social justice protest on NCRM courtyard.
MAKING THE PIVOT Throughout the 2020 pandemic, the museum’s virtual audience has tripled. Consistently, it has reached 30 percent more people virtually so far in 2021 than it did in all of 2020. Through that growth, we’ve found a growing trend of engagement with younger audiences (18-24 age), our next generation of leaders. The paradigm shift continued as the Museum opened to the public again on March 1, 2021. Our mandate was and remains to keep you, our visitors and our staff safe – online ticketing, face masks and social distancing required. As the pandemic wanes and with the rise in vaccinations, we are working to rebuild our once robust annual audience of 330,000+. We welcome you back to this sacred place where visitors often say to staff, “Thank you for being open.” The National Civil Rights Museum team, now ably led by Dr. Russell Wigginton, celebrated our 30th Anniversary on September 25. With your continued investment, we look forward to the next 30 years of growth - as a key national thought leader ready to innovate, educate and inspire.
TEACHING & INSPIRING
King Day 2021 Virtual Event garnered over 13,000 Visitors, a 30% increase from the in-person event the Museum. Over 31,000 experienced our virtual programs the first six months of 2021, a 50% increase compared audience for all the virtual programs in 2020.
FROM OUR VISITORS “This was not our first visit to the National Civil Rights Museum and once again, we learned so much! It’s such a visceral experience and you will learn something new every visit.” “I felt a chill run through my body as I stood in front of the spot Dr. Martin Luther King was shot. Seeing a part of history was very moving.” “One of my favorite museums I’ve ever visited. It appeals to all senses and keeps you wondering what’s around the corner. Everyone should visit this museum at least once.”
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT!
Thank you to our generous donors for these gifts received from
March 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 AmazonSmile Foundation Donation Deborah Andrews A. Anonymous Lisa Armstrong AT&T AutoZone Aya Healthcare Janet Bacon - Champion Michael Balfour Bank of America- Employee Giving Campaign Arlander Barker bert E. barnett, Jr. Bre Barton Beach Point Capital Management LP Ursula Becker - Champion for Justice Benevity Community Impact Fund Raymond Benton Sosia Bert Karen Bick Francisca Blanc William Blando BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust Bon Air Soap Company Don Bonifacio Sumit Borah Sumit Borah Abigail Borchert Elizabeth Bowen Bright Funds Emily Brown Kurt Buchmeier Buckman Laboratories Incorporated Milton A. Butler Thomas D. Butler Tim and Brenda Canady Patricia D. Carroll Joseph Carson Linda Chelotti Christian Community Foundation, Inc. Russell Clark Vanessa C. Clark CLE Lifestyle Corporation Combined Federal Campaign of the Mid-South Community Foundation of Greater Memphis Wendy Conrad Savvas Constantinou Elizabeth Cooke Ariel Cooper Jacqueline Cooper Claude Cummings CyberGrants LLC LaTuan Danns Deloitte Services, LP Melody Dernocoeur Maureen Diffley Dipjar Dipjar Dipjar Doble Engineering Company Mark J. Doerger Dollar General Literacy Foundation Chip B. Dudley, III Earline W. Duncan Eggleston Art Foundation Kelly R. Ellis Kelly R. Ellis Ernst and Young
Facebook Payments Inc. Linda Fan Jason D. Farmer Gary Fayman Fidelity Charitable Trust Joel A. Frey Dasha Frolova Frontstream Workplace Philantrophy Pamela R. Galloway Cherry Z. Gamble Rae Garrett MiSue Gill Katherine Goliver Marian Goodell Wendy Gray Elizabeth Griffith Felix B. Griggs Jordan Grills Frances Grossman Linda Hall Harriett M. Halmon, Esq. Richard J. Hansen Jacob M. Harris Steven C. Harris HELM Life Julia Henry Lauren Herring Ruby Herron Highland Capital Management, LLC Mark A. Hill Jacquelyn Horton Carolyn Huff Martha Huffman Jennifer Imazeki Institute of Museum and Library Services Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Legacies & Endow. Kenneth W. Jobe Lynnette Johnson Henry Jones Elisha T. Jones, III Edwin Jones Teri Jordan Elise Jordan Arthur Joseph Joyful Dirt Gregory Kaplan Leslie Kelly Thomas L L. Kelly Korones Family Foundation Kyle Kratky Christine Krispin William Landers Lekisha Laster Samantha Le Vine Schmidt Erma J. Lee Elizabeth Lepore Zalman Levine Jordan Lewis Shanterry Lomax Zach Longobardi Wenneasha Love Milton Lovell Kyndell Lucas Jamie Maher Eugene Martin Kait Martone Tanya Mayfield Tanya Mayfield Emmitt McChriston, Jr. LaShawna McKinney
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Leslie-Burl McLemore Jeffrey Meador Kathleen L. Mechanic Memphis Bar Foundation Claudia L. Miller Kathryn Mills Carolyn Millstein Madisyn Montgomery Sharon Moore Benjamin Morehead Lisa L. Moreland Walter Morgan Colby Morgan Lee Morriss William Moyer Michael Munekata N Harris Computer Corporation Nationwide Mutual Insurance Foundation Richard A. Nelson Network For Good New Balance Athletics, Inc. Danielle Newson Jessica Ng Sally Nickele Raymond Nimrod Jerry Norman Chiwaraidzo Nyabando Jessy Oates Ithran Olivacce Madeline Pampel David Paulson Gordon Peterson Eddie Phillips Pitney Bowes Ben Popken Vince PremDas ProTech Services Group, Inc. Elizabeth Queener Mary K. Quinn QuinStreet Inc Darrell Ray Dina Richard vanessa O. Robinson Gary Rogers Michael Rohl Cathy D. Ross Ian Rupert Michael R. Russell Anthony Russo Amy Ruth Jessica Ryle Bathsheba T. Sams Susan Scherrer Robert Schindler Schwab Charitable Fund Jacqueline Schweiger Paul Seitz Jeremy Sharp Shepardson Stern + Kaminsky James Shepherd Bill Shipp Katie Shotts Michael Shure Siege Media Jason A. Smigelski Jefferson Smith, Jr. Kellie-Ann Smith Molly Smith Roger Smith Tanya D Smith Travis Smith
Harriet H. Smith Barbara J. Smith Travis Smith Roger Smith Diane Solomon Sony Music Entertainment Southeastern Asset Management, Inc. Southwest Shroomery Leeza Spiegl St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital State of Tennessee Stony Brook Foundation, Inc. Subaru Of America Sterling Sutton Benjamin Sweeder Jocelyn Tambascio The GoodCoin Foundation The Helpful Human Company The Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation The Vendry Frank Thomas Allison Thrash Tourism Cares, Inc. Trezevant Episcopal Home Nicole Tuchinda U.S. Charitable Gift Trust United Way of the Mid-South Unknown Federal Government Vanguard Charitable Vanguard Charitable Hazel Vann Verizon Foundation Leslie Virostek Alan Wagner Felix Wai Julie Wake Sterling Wall Lori Wallach Jonathan I. Wax Christopher Williams Leah Williamson Jonathan Willis WO2 Fitness Barry Wolf Mark Alexander Wright Andrea Young YourCause Paying Agent for Corporate Giving Program YWCA of The City of New York IN MEMORY OF AND IN HONOR OF In Memory Of and In Honor Of Gerald M. Stern Raymond Benton In Memory Of and In Honor Of Shirley Peddler Francisca Blanc In Memory Of George Floyd and other victims of police Elizabeth Cooke To Honor The Work Of Sam Bell and E. Armstrong Areil Cooper In Honor Of Ruth O. Cummings Claude Cummings In Special Recognition Of Minorities working i. STEM Doble Engineering Company In Honor Of Martin L. King Jason D. Farmer
In Memory Of John Henry & Mildred Galloway Pamela R. Galloway In Memory Of and In Honor Of George Floyd Katherine Goliver To Honor The Work Of Gerald M. Stern Wendy Gray In Memory Of and In Honor Of Betty Gilliam Jacqueline Horton In Memory of Dixie Lewis Elise Jordan In Memory of Judith and Sheldon Korones Korones Family Foundation Birthday Celebration Of Angela Little Kyle Kratky In Memory Of and In Honor Of Felice Elizabeth Lepore In Memory Of Wendell Jackson Wennseasha Love In Memory of Delbra K. Wilson Leslie Burl McLemore To Honor The Work Of Gerald M. Stern Carolyn Millstein In Special Recognition Of Darby M Colby Morgan In Memory Of and In Honor Of Samuel O. Moyer William Moyer In Memory Of and In Honor Of John B. Pampel Madeline Pampel In Honor Of Gerald M. Stern Gordon Peterson In Memory Of Eddie Phillips Eddie Phillips Birthday Celebration Of Aoife Duna Ben Popken In Memory Of Dixie H. Lewis Cathy D. Ross Celebration In Honor Of Josephine O’Neil and S. O’Neil Ian Rupert In Honor Of Randolph M. Walker Michael R. Russell In Memory Of and In Honor Of Ryan M. Jones f. SS+K Shepardson Stern + Kaminsky To Honor The Work Of Dory Lerner James Shepherd To Honor The Work Of GDIT B. E. N. Kellie Ann Smith In Memory Of Ellie M. Smith Travis Smith In Support Of Juneteenth Jocelyn Tambascio To Honor The Work Of Eva Lindsey Allison Thrash In Memory Of and In Honor Of Vernon Jordan Leslie Virostek Birthday Celebration Of Peter Y. Wai Felix Wai In Memory Of and In Memory Of Peggie Latson Andrea Young
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NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Veda Ajamu
Mark Massongill
Faith Morris
Director of Community Engagement and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
Facilities Manager and Building Engineer
Chief of Marketing & External Affairs
Hosted by Tennessee Valley Authority / Memphis Light Gas & Water Professional Development certification on “Energy Management for Industries”
Inducted into the Smart Women in Meetings Hall of Fame by Smart Meetings Magazine – Las Vegas, NV Women Who Lead by Memphis Business Journal.
for eCornell University certification course “Diversity and Inclusion”
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