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National Civil Rights Museum

450 Mulberry Street
Memphis, TN
38103

Tel: 901-521-9699
Fax: 901-521-9740

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Dialogues for Democracy Program

The National Civil Rights Museum, along with all Coalition member sites, has designed a program called Dialogues for Democracy. The Dialogues for Democracy help visitors draw connections between the past and the present by using the histories of the sites to inspire new conversations and action on pressing contemporary issues.

Other Programs

Memorial
Following Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination at the Lorraine Motel, the site became a memorial where individuals could come to remember this great leader. Each year, the museum presents a number of programs on the National Martin Luther King Holiday in January, and on the anniversary of his death, April 4th. On this day, attendance figures range from 7,000 to 10,000 visitors.

Forum for Contemporary Issues
Since 1991 the museum recognizes national and international leaders in the field of civil rights with its annual Freedom Award and Public Forum. Honorees have included Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, Lech Walesa, Rosa Parks, Julian Bond, among others. A Public Forum enables up to 5,000 local school children and the general public to hear the honorees speak each year on past and present issues.

Temporary exhibitions and programs at the museum seek to illustrate the impact of the American Civil Rights Movement on other movements worldwide. The “Meaning of Assassination” exhibit provides recognition of other leaders whose lives were taken because of their work ensuring civil and human rights.

Raising Public Consciousness
“Exploring the Legacy,” the museum’s new permanent exhibits, illustrate the progress in civil rights in the United States since Dr. King’s assassination in 1968. These exhibits also challenge visitors to remain vigilant where inequities persist, such as the wage gap between men and women, disproportionate sentencing of minorities in the criminal justice system, and the under-representation of women and minorities in elected and appointed governmental positions.