The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium recently announced a new virtual experience created to teach children about the Civil Rights Movement.
Known as “Three Cities, One Movement,” the education program stems from the teachings of 20 Alabama places of worship, living and civic engagement known as the Consortium. Members of the Consortium include the Ben Moore Hotel, the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, Dr. Richard Harris’ house and the Southern Hill Cemetery.
The virtual tour, which will include pictures and oral histories, will cover these vital locations in Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham as well as the Black Belt. All of the places played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.
The online experience will be offered to 9th to 12th-grade high schoolers for free through March 31.
“Alabama’s students deserve a robust, accessible education that includes the best of history and the history that we must stop from repeating,” said the Public History Director Jessica O’Connor. “The Three Cities, One Movement Virtual Experience removes the barriers to allow our learners to explore the complexities of Alabama and the world in a way that is contemporary for them.”
In their press release, the Consortium steadfastly maintained their program despite recent legislation in the state that aims to silence teachings about “divisive concepts.”
Last March, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivery signed a bill that stopped the state from funding DEI programs and added restrictions to what they considered to be “divisive concepts.”
???? NEW: Explore Civil Rights History in Virtual Reality! ????
— Alabama AA Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium (@AAACRHSC) March 13, 2025
The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium is launching Three Cities, One Movement, a FREE Virtual Reality experience that puts the history of the Civil Rights Movement in students’ hands.
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These “divisive concepts” included topics regarding race specifically, aiming to silence educators on topics such as critical race theory and Alabama’s history of disenfranchising Black voters as well as enslavement.
The current Trump administration has brought forth an even bigger anti-DEI push. Over 50 universities across the U.S., including the University of Alabama, are currently under investigation by the Education Department for alleged racial discrimination.
“The Consortium is committed to protecting the authentic histories of the women, men, youth and communities that helped to advance the Civil Rights Movement in Alabama and across the country,” said the Executive Director, Rev. Lukata Mjumbe. “Politics will not prevent us from fulfilling the call of our mission.”
