The City of Birmingham to Honor the Foot Soldiers and Activists of 1963 with its AWAKEN 2026: Passing the Torch

From the City of Birmingham

October 14

Birmingham, AL — The City of Birmingham’s Office of Public Affairs will host AWAKEN 2026: Passing the Torch on Friday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. at the Carver Theatre, located at 1631 4th Ave. North. The annual tribute, held during Magic City Classic Week, will honor the foot soldiers and activists of 1963 while celebrating the next generation of leaders carrying forward Birmingham’s legacy of activism, service, and justice.

AWAKEN brings generations together through dialogue, education, and recognition of the local changemakers whose courage and commitment helped shape Birmingham’s civil rights history. This year’s theme, Passing the Torch, highlights the importance of preserving that legacy and empowering young people to carry its lessons into the future.

“Passing the torch means more than remembering the people who came before us. It means making sure the next generation understands their sacrifices, learns from their courage and recognizes its own power to shape the future,” said Mayor Randall L. Woodfin.

The program will feature musical selections by the Carlton Reese Memorial Choir and a spoken-word performance by Birmingham Poet Laureate Salaam Green. A panel discussion moderated by WBRC-TV/FOX6 anchor Steve Crocker will feature Mayor Randall L. Woodfin and civil rights foot soldiers and activists Dr. Carolyn McKinstry and Janice Kelsey.

The event will also include the presentation of the Putting People First Award, with remarks from the Civil Rights Activist Committee of the Foot Soldiers.

Attendees can explore a pop-up exhibit before and after the program featuring archival materials from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and personal collections that offer a closer look at the people and experiences behind Birmingham’s civil rights movement.

Community members are invited to attend this annual celebration of Birmingham’shistory, leadership, and enduring commitment to justice. To register, go here.