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On Sunday, civil rights leaders, advocates, and members of the congregation gathered at Brown Chapel AME Church to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, reflecting on the historic Selma to Montgomery march that galvanized the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Hosted by Brown Chapel AME Church and the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the event featured a commemorative worship service and a major announcement pledging $1 million toward the church’s restoration.
“Brown Chapel AME is more than a church—it is a sacred space of resistance and resilience, and a landmark of the ongoing fight for our democracy,” said Brent Leggs, executive director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. “This $1 million grant is an investment not only in bricks and mortar, but in the legacy of those who fought for justice. We are committed to ensuring that Brown Chapel remains a place of activism and inspiration for generations to come.”
The church, a National Historic Landmark, has been closed since 2020, due to structural deterioration. Reverend Leodis Strong, pastor of Brown Chapel AME, underscored the importance of continued community and national support to fully restore the building.
“As we honor the courage of those who marched 60 years ago, we must also take action to protect the physical spaces that tell their story,” said Rev. Strong. “This church was a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, and today, we call on partners and the public to help us close the funding gap and secure its future.”
Despite the significant investment from the Action Fund, Rev. Strong noted that an additional $500,000 is still needed to complete the restoration.
The service, part of the Selma Jubilee weekend, featured remarks from House Minority Leader Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Ala., Congressman Shomari Figures, D-Ala., and a keynote address from Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative.
To learn more about the Brown Chapel AME preservation effort, contact Roberto J. Hylton at roberto@merakicommsgroup.com.
