Established in February 2007 the Partnership was formed in order to undertake pre-development activities related to the Center for Civil and Human Rights.  The Partnership consists of the Atlanta Development Authority and Central Atlanta Progress, with Doug Shipman at the helm as the Executive Director.

Mission – This Center will explore the universal search for a secure human existence, in a way that inspires vigilance and leadership among future generations.

The working group developed several key recommendations in areas pertinent to the success of the center.

Key Recommendations

Content Scope –The Center will include the complementary stories of the struggles for both Civil and Human Rights in the past and present while highlighting the groundbreaking contributions of Atlanta’s and Georgia’s individuals, institutions, and events.

Programming – The facility will be a “living” Center where visitors experience content in multiple ways. Interactive exhibitions, immersive activities and hi-tech offerings will inspire visitors. The King Papers will be a critical part of the exhibition offering of the Center.

Critical Success Factors – Identified factors for long-run success include:
• Ability to reach and inspire a broad audience now and in the future
• Opening debt-free and with a significant endowment
• Allowing message and content to drive design
• Integrating the Center with easily accessible transportation
• Collaborating with existing local institutions
• Collecting and archiving historical materials within Georgia

Site Selection – The chosen site must enable the Center to fulfill its mission and achieve long-term success. The Working Group believes that the Centennial Olympic Park site generously offered by The Coca-Cola Company satisfies the success criteria identified in the Report.

Moving Forward

As the Center for Civil and Human Rights moves forward in the pre-development process, there are six key work-streams that will be undertaken.

1. Content development

2. Public engagement

3. Organization structure

4. Architecture and Design

5. Fundraising

6. Archives and article collection

Read more for additional information about the six work streams.

The Center aims to break ground by December of 2008 with an anticipated opening in 2010.