DuSable Museum and Comcast unveil new “Voices of the Civil Rights Movement” Installation
Exhibit features more than 16 hours of historical moments and firsthand accounts of America’s fight for racial equality
The DuSable Museum of African American History joined Comcast NBCUniversal on February 7, 2019 to officially unveil “Voices of the Civil Rights Movement,” a new interactive installation that features more than 240 stories and interviews with Chicago and national civil rights icons. All 16-plus hours of video come from Comcast NBCUniversal’s award-winning “Voices of the Civil Rights Movement” platform, a multimedia collaboration with the Equal Justice Initiative that honors the legacy and impact of America’s civil rights champions.
Comcast joined the DuSable Museum to honor the following six Chicago-based civil rights leaders and debut their video segments at the DuSable Theater:
- Timuel Black: Renowned historian and civil rights activist;
- Rev. Clyde Brooks: Civil rights leader and former President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Chicago;
- Josie Childs: Founder and president, Harold Washington Legacy Committee;
- Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.: Nationally recognized civil rights leader and founder and president, Rainbow PUSH Coalition;
- James Montgomery: Accomplished civil rights attorney; and
- Robert Starks: Educator, activist and political consultant.
The installation at the DuSable Museum also features interviews with U.S. Rep. John Lewis, former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, Little Rock Nine member Carlotta Walls LaNier, Birmingham church bombing survivor Sarah Collins Rudolph, and others. The personal stories collection is enhanced with greater context and research from the Equal Justice Initiative, which partnered with Comcast NBCUniversal to add historical vignettes to the platform.
“We’re honored to partner with Comcast NBCUniversal to preserve our history, honor Chicagoans who were part of the civil rights movement, and make sure current and future generations understand and remember our community’s struggle for equal rights,” said Perri L. Irmer, DuSable Museum president and CEO.
“Comcast NBCUniversal developed the installation to chronicle the lives and experiences of those who fight for the equality of all people,” said David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation. “We’re especially proud to make this exhibit part of the DuSable’s permanent collection, celebrate Chicago’s rich contributions to our nation’s civil rights movement, and enrich the experience of museum visitors as they learn directly from civil rights leaders.”
