Leo Cabral | Voice Managing Editor
The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California seeks to archive local civil rights movements past, present and future so individuals can have access to accurate history.
The project’s development began over 20 years ago with several organizations meeting to discuss how they can record the stories of local heroes who impacted their community.
“It was then that the Civil Rights Institute of Southern California became a reality,” said Rose Mayes, Vice President of the Board of Directors. “The mission was to memorialize and bring to the public’s attention the historical, current and emerging events happening within our community, and those champions making things happen.”
Mayes and others want to provide an all-inclusive platform where community members can come together and discuss how today’s civil rights issues impact minority groups.
The design committee
A committee of 15 volunteers representing nonprofits, artists, museums, libraries and news media, in association with the Riverside African American Historical Society (RAAHS) under the leadership of committee chair Shirley Coates, are developing an exhibit for the grand opening of the Civil Rights Institute.
“In addition to focusing on African Americans, this will be a diverse exhibit,” Coates said.
The RAAHS exhibit’s overarching theme is “adversity, hope and triumph.” It will highlight individuals in aviation, education, business, and sports.
“This is part of a legacy,” Coates said. “This is going to be here for years and years to come. And that’s why I’m excited because I have an opportunity to be part of history and say, ‘I played a part in guiding them and in making this happen.’”
The exhibit will utilize interactive maps from ArcGIS software and visitors’ smartphones in addition to art and sculptures to encourage younger crowds to immerse themselves in these stories.
Beginning a conversation
“I’m hopeful that the institute and the opening of this exhibition launches a conversation about what history has been and what the potential will be for addressing contemporary issues like Black Lives Matter, hate towards the Asian American community and violence toward the LGBTQ+ community,” said Vince Moses, Ph.D, lead art curator for the exhibit. “All of this is very important to get into the open to address it in a constructive and positive manner.”
The Civil Rights Institute will be located within the Mission Heritage Plaza, a multi-purpose community hub for the institute, the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, affordable housing, an interactive civil rights museum, a diversity center and many more resources for the inland area.
There will be 72 affordable housing units available, with room for seniors, veterans and Section 8 housing. It will be steps away from the Fox Performing Arts Theater in downtown Riverside. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2022.
All volunteers involved in making the plaza and institute a reality aim to create a safe and inclusive space for underserved inland community members to learn and grow together.
“When people learn about one another, we get to understand them better, work together, play together and live together,” Mayes said.
Visit www.inlandcivilrights.org for more information about the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California.
Visit www.fairhousing.net for more information on the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County.