This episode of Stayed On Freedom recounts the tragic stampede at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in Birmingham in 1902, when a mass meeting turned deadly. It explores how the gathering, meant to be a moment of collective power and unity, descended into chaos, leading to panic and loss of life. The episode reflects on both the power of mass meetings in shaping movements and the peril they carried, especially in a segregated South where large gatherings of Black people were seen as both inspiring and threatening.
History lives in the voices of those who lived it.In 1958, a young janitor named James Pruitt helped prevent what could have been a deadly bombing at Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El. His story—once untold—is now being preserved thanks to an oral history initiative led by our very own Executive Director, Lukata Mjumbe.This powerful interview, conducted as part of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium’s Evidence of Things Not Seen project, was recently featured in The Washington Post. But this vital work is now under threat—federal cuts have jeopardized the future of our oral history and youth programs, including the exhibit planned to mark the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.Made possible with the support of the 1772 Foundation.The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/Explore the podcast
Made possible with the support of the 1772 Foundation.The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/Explore the podcast
In this episode of the Stayed on Freedom podcast, we explore Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s powerful "Letter from a Birmingham Jail."
Written in 1963, this letter is both a moral defense of civil disobedience and a passionate response to critics of the Civil Rights Movement. We unpack its historical context, its timeless relevance, and the lessons it offers for today’s struggles for justice.
Speakers in order of appearance:
1.Lukata Mjumbe, Executive Director of the Alabama African-American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium (AAACRHSC)
2.Barry McNealy, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
3.Jayla Poe, Old Sardis Baptist Church
4.Lynn Douglas, St. Paul United Methodist Church
5.Adrienne Reynolds, Old Sardis Baptist Church
6.Margaret Norman, Temple Beth-El
7.Reverend Thomas Wilder, The Historic Bethel Baptist Church
8.Lexi Coleman, Birmingham Regional Organizer of AAACRHSC
9.Reverend Marian Royston, St. Paul United Methodist Church
10.Ken King, Preserving Black Churches Project Director of AAACRHSC
11.Rachael Hicks, Gateway Youth Intern of AAACRHSC
12.Dr. Terrence Brown, JEFCOED Director of Arts Education
13.Jessica O'Connor, Public History Director of AAACRHSC
Made possible with the support of the 1772 Foundation.
🎙️ “The Bloody Tuesday Before Bloody Sunday” – Premiering Friday, March 14th on the Stayed On Freedom podcast!Before Bloody Sunday in Selma, there was Bloody Tuesday in Tuscaloosa. On June 9, 1964, courageous foot soldiers marched for justice—only to face brutal resistance. In this episode, we hear directly from those who were there, sharing their firsthand experiences of a pivotal yet often overlooked moment in the fight for civil rights.📢 Don’t miss this powerful conversation on the resilience of a movement that changed the world.📌 Listen wherever you get your podcasts!#StayedOnFreedom #BloodyTuesday #CivilRightsHistory #AAACRHSC #PreserveHistory #FootSoldiers #Tuscaloosa #BlackHistory #BloodySunday
Today (2/21/25) marks the 60th anniversary of Malcolm X’s assassination, we honor his legacy with a powerful conversation featuring his daughter, Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz. In a special episode of our Stayed on Freedom podcast, “Remembering Selma, the ‘Field Negro,’ and the Legacy of Malcolm X,” we reflect on his impact, his teachings, and the fight for justice that continues today.Made possible with the support of the 1772 Foundation.The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/Explore the podcast
Join us for this episode as we take a trip down memory lane to Greensboro, AL and The Safe House Museum. We also took a trp to Atlanta, GA to have a conversation with Educator and Author Dr. Akinyele Umoja about the Black freedom movement.The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/Explore the podcast
Join us as we sit and chat with LaTosha Brown. She is the Co-Founder of the Black Voters Matter Movement, which has been noted for its work on the 2017 U.S. Senate special election in Alabama and its influence during the 2020–21 Georgia state elections.--The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/Explore the podcast
Join us as we visit Gadsden Alabama's largest African American cemetery. Established in 1826 as "The Colored Cemetery," this site is the first and largest African-American cemetery in Gadsden.Contact Grace Heritage Community Development at GraceHeritageFoundation@yahoo.comFollow Grace Heritage Community Development on Facebook!https://www.facebook.com/share/k4aw8hEwzyNEQXrs/?mibextid=LQQJ4d--The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/Explore the podcast
We revisit Mississippi for a part 3 of Mississippi Freedom Summer 1964 conversation with Dr. Roy DeBerry.
Sixty years ago on August 4, 1964 the bodies of three murdered, Freedom Summer Civil Rights workers registering people to vote were found in a shallow grave in Mississippi. In this episode of the “Stayed on Freedom” podcast, the Consortium goes to Mississippi to learn from Dr. Roy DeBerry, who was teenager during Freedom Summer 1964. Join us for “Thank God for Mississippi!’: Revisiting Freedom Summer 1964.”
By popular demand, we revisit Mississippi for a part 2 of Mississippi Freedom Summer 1964.
Sixty years ago on August 4, 1964 the bodies of three murdered, Freedom Summer Civil Rights workers registering people to vote were found in a shallow grave in Mississippi.In this episode of the “Stayed on Freedom” podcast, the Consortium goes to Mississippi to learn from Dr. Roy DeBerry, who was teenager during Freedom Summer 1964. Join us for “Thank God for Mississippi!’: Revisiting Freedom Summer 1964.”
Sixty years ago on August 4, 1964 the bodies of three murdered, Freedom Summer Civil Rights workers registering people to vote were found in a shallow grave in Mississippi.In this episode of the “Stayed on Freedom” podcast, the Consortium goes to Mississippi to learn from Dr. Roy DeBerry, who was teenager during Freedom Summer 1964. Join us for “Thank God for Mississippi!’: Revisiting Freedom Summer 1964.”
Join us as we uncover the powerful and heartbreaking story of Bloody Tuesday in Tuscaloosa, AL on June 9, 1964. We get the opportinuty of hearing the first hand experiences of some of the foot soldiers who marched for justice on that day.The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/
Episode 003: Join us as we sit with the Executive Director of Greater Birmingham Ministries and long time member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Scott Douglas. We discuss St. Paul's involvement in the Birmingham Children's Crusade of 1963 and the impact it had on the Civil Rights Movement.The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/
Episode 002: This Black History Month "Each One, Teach One" episode features a courageous conversation with 16 year-old Aaren "Black AquaMayne" Rudolph who captured the imagination of the people during Montgomery Riverfront Brawl in August 2023. We explore the authentic history of the Montgomery Riverfront, Slavery and the legacy of courageous young people in the Black freedom movement.
Interested in the Black Aquaman Swim Camp? Click the link below to receive more information: https://qualtricsxmnx6w6qn8c.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2ggcxk5U9CGqzmC
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The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!
The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.
Donate to the Consortium
Episode 001: Scholar and activist Dr. Cornel West visits 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL ---“ground zero of the Black Freedom Movement” on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2024. We discuss the “ordinary extraordinary” legacy of Dr. King and the continuing struggles of the freedom movement today.
The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!
"This podcast was recorded on January 15, 2024, a week before the passing of Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We delayed release of the episode out of respect for the family. We offer our sincere condolences to the King family and our entire beloved community in this time of loss and lament."
Reverend Lukata Mjumbe, Executive Director
Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium (AAACRHSC)
The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.
Books Referenced:
The Radical King (King Legacy)
A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History https://a.co/d/2cFwi80
Poem Read:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/REpewqEy1SG9FwoQ/?mibextid=K8Wfd2