The Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement History

The collaborative project “The Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement History” collects visual histories of lesser-known activists who stood beside their more famous counterparts, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer and many others. While their names are less familiar, these people’s stories and recollections represent the pervasive courage and strength of the thousands of people who struggled for equality during this era.

Curtis Austin's research focuses on race relations, civil rights and Black power movements. He is the author of two books, “Up Against the Wall: Violence in the Making and Unmaking of the Black Panther Party” and “Dare to Struggle: A History of the Black Power Movement.” He received his Ph.D. in American political and social history from Mississippi State University.

Photo credit: Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. May 2015 © Clément Bardot Licensed via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International