The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made a $20,000 donation to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Elder Peter M. Johnson, General Authority Seventy and recently-called mission president, spoke about the donation on WBRC Fox6 News.
“We want to just combine and partner with what the Civil Rights Institute is doing. This prestigious organization has talked about civil rights [and] has been a [leader] in the community, so we just wanted to make a contribution to them to help further their mission and what they try to do to just bring people together,” said Elder Johnson.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is “a cultural and educational research center that promotes a comprehensive understanding for the significance of civil rights developments in Birmingham,” according to its website. The institute celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2017. According to WBRC, the institute began a fundraising drive prior to the pandemic but they were unable to move forward with those plans.
The Church presented the donation on Juneteenth, which happened to be perfect timing for the occasion.
“We just want to contribute and support them,” said Elder Johnson. “It’s a wonderful organization, they do a lot of good in the community, and so we just want to be with them and show that Church based and faith-based organizations can also participate in these wonderful [activities],” he said. “What a great day to make this presentation with them . . . on this historic day in the history of this country.”
Watch the broadcast at WBRC Fox6 News.
