The National Center’s mission is to connect with the community at-large in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University, and the State of Alabama in order to engage the public with history that is relevant today. Programs and events are a collaboration with other organizations and various academic departments on Alabama State University’s campus in order to leave an impact on the Black community regarding African-American history.

Such annual programs include:

The Annual Colvin-Feagin Art Show

Named in honor of Dr. William Colvin and Mr. John W. Feagin, both renowned artists and graduates of Alabama State University, the Colvin-Feagin Art Show is an annual event recognizing the artistic contributions of these creative geniuses. Dr. Colvin is a former chair of Alabama State University’s Department of Art. He has focused most of his career on preserving African-American culture through the visual arts. He has helped foster a deep respect for the genre in all of his students including the community at-large. Mr. Feagin has spent the bulk of his career instilling a love of art in Montgomery’s youth as a teacher at George Washington Carver High School. He is still a big proponent of creating art that lives within the community, and his work is visible throughout the city of Montgomery. This annual event serves as a catalyst for collecting financial donations for the “Colvin-Feagin Art Gallery Fund,” which helps support the National Center’s mission of celebrating African-American culture through the visual arts. These funds help care for artwork focusing on the civil rights movement and the African-American experience.

The Ralph David Abernathy Lecture Series

Observance of the Montgomery Bus Boycott – Named for its most distinguished alumnus, Rev. Ralph David Abernathy, the program is the centerpiece of events fulfilling the mission of the National Center to research, record, preserve and teach the history of courageous and determined people who refused to surrender to fear and intimidation to secure their full rights as American citizens. The lecture series honors the Montgomery Bus Boycott Mass Meetings – – the bi-weekly sessions of the bus protest which were used to impart information, strategy and spiritual incentive for challenging segregated busing.

E.D. Nixon Lecture Series

Named after the civil rights leader and union organizer in Alabama, the two-to-three annual lecture series uses original evidence presented by scholars, participants in, or those related to them, and contemporaries of an event, to evaluate significant issues, individuals, or episodes in Montgomery, elsewhere in the state, and at Alabama State University which have impacted African Americans.

The Black Film Festival

The Black Film Festival is an annual event that celebrates, as well as illuminates, the history and culture of African Americans through film. The event attracts a diverse audience united by a love of cinema.

The Patrons and Donors Reception

An annual event recognizing and honoring the Patrons of the National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture (National Center). This program is an opportunity to demonstrate the National Center appreciation to individuals and organizations who have made financial or material contributions to the National Center and to the University Archives.