Through its cultural & educational programs, historical research, exhibits, strategic planning initiatives in historical preservation, and educational programs of engaged dialogue, this cultural storehouse reflects and conveys a community’s ongoing determination to fight for human dignity, equality, and the basic rights of American citizenship.
2025
Ballard-Hamilton House Scholars – High School
Discover the Community’s Cultural Identity through Research, Engaged Dialogue, & Journaling Program includes Presentations from Community Leaders, Mentoring, Building Skills in Cooperation and Conflict Resolution
Literacy-based, Weekly After-School Sessions (March-June, August-Feb)
Apply at info@ballardhouseproject.org
2024
January – May, 2024
In observance of the rich legacy of African American History in Birmingham, this January through May, the Ballard House Project collaborates with UAB’s Dept of History “Civics as Classroom” course, in which students learn the importance of civics, while engaging in, and learning from, community research on Birmingham long-standing fight for their rights of citizenship. Students learn skills in community research, reflection, contextual analysis, dialogic engagement, digital journaling & intergenerational connections to community problems and resolutions. Local community leaders from diverse backgrounds and experiences served as topical presenters and mentors across fields.
2023
The Ballard House Project, Inc. presents Birmingham: 1963-2023
Commemorating 60 Years of Remembrance | Reflection | Reconciliation
Thursday, September 14, 2023 6pm @ 16th Street Baptist Church.
A Community Gathering with Eddie Glaude, Ph.D. “Cultural & Historical Insight for the Birmingham Community’s Path To Reconciliation”
Chair, Depart. of African American Studies, Princeton Univ. Scholar & Nationally-Recognized Thought Leader
In remembrance of the events of 1963, the Birmingham community engages in critical, intergenerational dialogue & thoughtful action, opening the door to repair, heal and unify, reconciling historical truths with mutual respect.
Summer, 2023: “Truth To Reconcile” Talking Circles & Community Conversations
Topics of reflection & dialogic engagement, sharing evidence-based historical truths; addressing means to resolve long-standing conflict; reconcile across generations; and build bridges of trust across our population.
We approach these community topics of reflection & engaged dialogue, sharing evidence-based historical truths; addressing means to create individual and collective healing and ways to reconcile; building bridges of trust across our population. Each gathering, led by community leaders, local historians and genealogists, health experts, focuses on contributions of residents in their quest for equality, while actively engaging in creative expressions of the community’s culture (art, music, spoken word, quilting, etc.). Presenters: community leaders, civil rights activists, historians, educators, artists, authors, & healthcare professionals.
Saturday, 6.12 – “Civil Rights Activism of Physicians and Dentists “
Saturday, 7.22 – “Celebrating Our Community Cultural Legacies”
Saturday, 8.19 – “ReCreating Community” Through Art / UNCF Walk @ Railroad Park
Wednesday, 8.30 – “Role of Educators in Historical Truths, Then & Now”
Sunday, 9.10 – “Legacy Voices of the Movement,” with Dr. Freeman Hrabowski & Children of the Movement
Thursday, 10.5 – “Climbing Over Economic Disparities to Opportunity”
Monday, 10.16 – “Sankofa: Valuing Family and Community Histories”
Beautification of Robertson, Wesley, Collins and McNair Burial Plots
Four Girls Killes in the 1963 16th Street Church Bombing
This multi-year project entails the beautification (plants and garden materials installation, grounds preparation, watering, plant replenishment) and short term maintenance of the grave sites of victims of the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham. Our project focuses on the grave sites and family gravesites of the four girls who passed as a result of the bombing. This project is a gift of comfort, an act of reconciliation and mass community remembrance to the families of the four little girls.
Our mission beautified the gravesite grounds and provide short- term maintenance of the area of the grave sites of Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, Lisa McNair, and Addie Mae Collins, all located at Greenwood Cemetery and Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham. The project is funded by a generous grant from Jack and Jill of America, Inc.; labor, supplies and volonteer hours by The Ballard House Project, inc.; and a generous in-kind gift of volunteers, supplies, and plants from Home Depot.
Programs of History (H)
This historical and cultural storehouse reflects and conveys the community's ongoing determination to fight for human dignity, equality, and their struggle for basic rights of American citizenship. We principles and strategies of the past in addressing modern-day issues. Topics of dialogic engagement cover: Reconstruction Era-Civil Rights, Segregation, Resistance Movements, Migration, Education / Skills / Trades, Healthcare, Wealth Building, Innovation, Uplift through Civic, Service & Social Networks, Family & Community Histories, Legacy of Education, Clubs/Community Institutions, and more.
Programs of Preservation (P)
BHP is committed to play a critical role in strategic planning initiatives and facilitating programs on historical preservation and all segments of preserving culture, artistic expression, healthy community, and the natural environment within the state, region, and beyond.
Programs of Culture (C)
We are dedicated to planning programs and initiatives that reflect and represent a community's history, identity, and spirit. This provides an important historical and cultural context that helps all to understand the significance of the people who built this community, state, and region.
Programs of Arts (A)
Music, art and other creative endeavors form an integral part of our community's identity and forms of critical expression. We are committed to supporting artistic expression and to bringing multiple facets of art for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors.