Marking History: Preserving the Legacy of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference

By: Autumn Smith

When we learn about history in grade school, we learn a small portion of African American history. Educators teach Black history in a shallow manner that does not show the complex and intricate moments of the African American experience. When Black history is taught in school or discussed in popular culture, it is minimized to a few historical figures and events. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is one of the figures often taught about in school and discussed in popular culture, but the organization he led that spearheaded the Civil Rights Movement, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, is not often discussed. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) has had an impactful history in American culture. The SCLC led the Birmingham movement, the March on Washington, and then Selma Movement, but unfortunately, their name has fallen in the shadows.

Preservation of historic African American organizations and communities is not as profound as it should be, and it has caused many organizations not to be justly celebrated. Historical organizations and academic institutions are beginning to emphasize the importance of preserving African American stories. Organizations like the National Trust, the American Association of Museums, and the Georgia Historical Society are beginning to start initiatives and grants that are specifically geared toward preserving the United States Civil Rights Movement. The Rich Foundation Inc, a foundation established to distribute a share of the profits of the Rich’s department store based in Atlanta, GA, has also begun to push for preserving African American organizations. The Rich Foundation, originally a department store that Dr. King protested against, has started recognizing their previous mistreatment of African Americans and making amends for past injustices. The Georgia Historical Society has introduced an initiative to identify Civil Rights sites in Georgia and place historical markers. Together, the Rich Foundation and the Georgia Historical Society sponsored and erected a historical marker for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on November 3, 2022. Placing the historic maker at the National SCLC headquarters in Atlanta, GA, was a significant step in preserving and bringing notoriety to this historic organization.

As a historian, I am drawn to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference most for its influence in every major civil rights event. Their impact is felt throughout the country to this day, and their legacy continues to inspire young African Americans. To be able to lead the efforts in getting the historical marker for the national SCLC is one of the proudest moments of my career, and I am honored to be trusted with the legacy of such a great organization. As someone who focuses on historic preservation and gentrification in African American communities, it felt like a duty of mine to help orchestrate the historical marker for a vulnerable organization in their home state. The dedication ceremony was especially moving because Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Dr. Martin Luther King

Jr’s aide, was the keynote speaker.

Dr. LaFayette has been a leader and pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement for over sixty years, and to hear him tell his stories of trials and triumphs at that moment was a once-in-alifetime experience.

Preserving the history of the SCLC is essential not only to remember for their contributions to civil rights but also their contribution to American history. The leaders of SCLC, such as C.T. Vivian, Ralph Abernathy, Joseph Lower, and Andrew Young, have all impacted the entire United States. Working side-by-side with Dr. LaFayette and other civil rights legends throughout the years will always be some of the most memorable experiences of my life. I am proud to be able to carry the torch for such extraordinary leaders and organization.