Many consider the 1960s as the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, but the African American struggle for equality began much earlier. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and other groups filed lawsuits, formed political parties, and protested throughout the 20th century. In Elmore v. Rice… Read More
On June 22, 1954, 20-year old Sarah Mae Flemming boarded a public bus. Fleming sat down in a seat near the “whites only” section. The bus driver ordered Flemming to move and she tried to get off the bus. The driver hit her in the stomach. With the aid of… Read More
This stretch of Washington Street served as a hub of black businesses for African Americans in Columbia. Here, African Americans could shop and do business with other African Americans. In Washington Street business district Black Columbians could buy groceries, seek legal counsel, find entertainment including a theater, see a beautician,… Read More
This historic African American church was the starting point of many protests in Columbia and once served as the NAACP headquarters. One notable march that began at Sidney Park took place in September of 1963. A demonstration was held in honor of the four little girls who lost their lives… Read More
The current location of the Nickelodeon Theater was, in the 1960s, the site of the Fox Theater where students protested segregation. Today, a public art piece installed by Columbia SC 63 titled “Speaking Truth to Power” stands in front of it to honor the people that helped shape civil rights… Read More
Victory Savings Bank was one of the first Black-owned banks in South Carolina. It served Black customers who had trouble securing loans and receiving fair treatment at white-owned banks. Civil rights advocate Modjeska Simkins served as manager of the bank for a number of years. Read More
The township Auditorium was the site of many major meetings and speeches in support of equal rights such as the Southern Negro Youth Congress’ international meeting in October 1946. Thurgood Marshall and Martin Luther King, Jr. also spoke there. A scheduled appearance by Malcolm X at the auditorium was cancelled… Read More
Students from both historically black colleges and universities were the foot soldiers of the Civil Rights Movement. Students from Allen University and Benedict College led and participated in marches, sit-ins, and lawsuits in the struggle for equal justice. Today, it is a part of Columbia SC 63’s mission to interview… Read More
Historic African American cemetery that is resting place to Reconstruction leaders and Civil Rights activists in South Carolina. Read More
Home of Modjeska Simkins a pioneering Civil Rights activist in South Carolina. Simkins served as the secretary of the African American founded and owned Victory Savings Bank. She also had a hand in a number of major Civil Rights cases including Briggs v Elliot and Sarah Mae Flemming v South… Read More