Civil Rights Opening Ceremony

Keynote Address

Dr. Tommie Smith

Keynote address by Dr. Tommie Smith, Olympian, civil rights activist and author

Dr. Smith, whose raised fist became a symbol for racial justice during the 1968 Olympic games, will share his story and sign copies of his new graphic novel, “Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice.”

Get a Copy

a historic evening under the stars as we celebrateD the opening of the

Civil Rights Institute

VIDEOS BY ERICK ZAMBRANO

 THE OPENING RECEPTION WAS A SUCCESS
THANK YOU RECEPTION & OPENING CEREMONY 

Video Galleries

 THANK YOU RECEPTION 

Photo Gallery

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL J. ELDERMAN

More Thank You Reception Photos

OPENING CEREMONY 

Photo Gallery

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL J. ELDERMAN

More Opening Ceremony Photos

Thank You to Our

Partners

Partners

Civil Rights Institute
Fair Housing Logo
Wakeland Logo

Thank You to Our

Naming Donors

Naming Donors 

 
Bank of America Stacked logo
Riverside African American Historical Society
M&L Hong Foundation

Thank You to Our

Sponsors

Major Opening Ceremony Sponsors

 
Bank of America Stacked logo

History – Maker Sponsors

 

Cellar Door Books logo

Media Sponsors

 

KVCR Logo

Champion Sponsors

 

Leaders

 

Advocates

 

San Bernardino Valley College
Parkview Legacy Foundation Logo

THANK YOU TO THESE

Individuals and Organizations

for their Sponsorship of our Opening Celebration

 

Q’Vinc Asberry

Jalani Bakari

Mary J. Pauw

Riverside African American Historical Society, Inc.

Riverside County Black Chamber of Commerce

Riverside Community College District

Ola Faye Stephens

Totalplan Business Interiors, Inc.

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Support Us

Join the movement to advance civil rights and social justice across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Add your name to history and become an Opening Ceremony sponsor. The deadline is September 30.

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Download Donation Packet

Opening Ceremony

Committee

Angel Rodriguez, Chair

Sabrina Gonzalez, Co-Chair

Matt Abularach-Macias

Jalani Bakari

Adan Chavez

Shirley Coates

Aaron Dill

Maggie Hawkins

Heidi Marshall

Jesse Melgar

Michelle Nakaji

Esther Portillo

Miguel Rivera

Dwight Tate