Annual Events

At the heart of the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture is a series of lectures and events that are presented annually. These events build upon the contributions and inspirations of community leaders, the importance of discussion and communication, and expression.

The Ralph D. Abernathy Civil Rights Leaders Lecture Series

Named in memory of the noted ASU graduate and civil rights leader, the series honors the legacy of well-known and little-known activists who contributed to the success of the modern civil rights movement. Lectures and other programs featuring scholars, community leaders, educators, and artists focus on a different theme each year.

The E.D. Nixon Institute for Research and Cultural Enrichment

The E.D. Nixon Institute for Research and Cultural Enrichment was founded in 2001 by The National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture at Alabama State University. Named in memory of the “Father of the modern Civil Rights Movement,” Dr. Edgar Daniel Nixon was a Montgomery native and pioneering civil rights advocate whose work in the area of civil rights is legendary. Nixon was a devoted activist and president of the Montgomery, as well as the Alabama chapters of the NAACP. Beginning in the 1940s, he made his mark as a serious and committed champion for the equal rights of African-Americans. The E.D. Nixon Institute for Research and Cultural Enrichment is held each year during the third week of April.

The Robert and Jean Graetz Symposium on
Human Rights and Reconciliation

The National Center for the Study of Civil-Rights and African-American Culture at Alabama State University established the Robert and Jean Graetz Symposium on Human Rights and Reconciliation on the campus of Alabama State University in honor of long-time human rights activists, Rev. Robert and Mrs. Jean Graetz. The couple has worked tirelessly to advance the cause of human rights in our community and around the world. The symposium is designed to stimulate action-oriented citizens to work toward reconciliation while examining factors that divide ethnic groups. Its focus is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of a “Beloved Community.” The Robert and Jean Graetz Symposium on Human Rights and Reconciliation is held each year during the first week of April.

Black Film Festival Program

Launched in 2003, the Black Film Festival celebrates the history and culture of African Americans through film and provides a conduit between the Center and the community. Each year, the festival presents movies that focus on civil rights history and African American culture through a mixture of documentaries, feature films, and student productions.

Upcoming Programs