Newsroom Category: Civics

Commemorating America at 250

October 15, 2025 — In 2026, Americans will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s first founding document, the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate, the Alabama Humanities Alliance will offer an extra slate of grants and programming in 2026, helping Alabamians place the past in context, consider our present, and imagine what our shared future might look like.

Among AHA’s “250” highlights: Grant offerings to help Alabamians reflect on America’s founding and connections to today; two new Smithsonian traveling exhibits; American Village will host the 2026 edition of AHA’s annual Alabama History Day contest; new Road Scholars will present talks related to America’s founding era; and a fall Healing History convening aims to bring Alabamians together.

“We are very excited to bring an Alabama perspective to commemorations of our nation’s 250th anniversary,” says Chuck Holmes, AHA’s executive director.

“This work builds on what we do year in and year out — supporting opportunities for lifelong learning, impactful storytelling, and civic engagement. We know that when folks engage with history, culture, community, art, folklore, and storytelling — we learn more about who we are, where we come from, and what brings us together.”

AHA’s “America at 250” programming

AHA Grants: In 2026, Alabama Humanities’ grants program will prioritize applications that help Alabamians use the humanities to explore our nation’s founding history and principles. These include opportunities to reflect on how Alabamians have pursued a more perfect union, and to engage in community conversations about our shared future. Over 50 years, AHA has awarded more than $13 million to Alabama organizations.

Americans: Adapted from an exhibition at the National Museum of the American Indian, Americans focuses on four historical events: Thanksgiving, the life of Pocahontas, the Trail of Tears, and the Battle of Little Bighorn. The exhibit invites us to consider new narratives about each of these events, and reveals the richness and complexity of our American story. AHA will bring Americans to five communities across Alabama, beginning in Fall 2026.

Many Voices, One Nation: E pluribus unum: Out of many, one. Inspired by a permanent collection in the National Museum of American History, Many Voices takes visitors on a cultural journey through the rich and multifaceted stories that make up America. Starting on Independence Day, this exhibit will be on display in Dale and Washington counties. There, local hosts will customize the exhibit to reflect the stories, and people, of those respective regions of Alabama.

Alabama History Day at American Village: AHA’s annual Alabama History Day has a special, and apt, setting for its 2026 state contest: American Village. History Day engages students (grades 6-12) in robust and creative historical research. This year’s contest theme is “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” and participating students will present their projects on American Village’s dynamic campus, which brings America’s founding history to life.

Road Scholars 250: AHA is expanding its popular Road Scholars Speakers Bureau to add new speakers with topics related to America’s, and Alabama’s, founding history. AHA’s Road Scholars provide fascinating talks at town libraries, senior centers, historical societies, and more. New “250 Scholars” include the likes of Mike Bunn, director of Historic Blakeley State Park; Gary Furr, author, musician, and pastor; and Christine Sears, associate professor of history at UAH.

Encyclopedia of Alabama resources: The EOA is a free, online resource covering all things Alabama. For 2026, staff have curated a new collection called “Alabama and America’s 250th Birthday.” Explore stories about Revolutionary War heroes in Alabama; Native American life in the state during America’s colonial era; the historic origins of Alabama’s boundaries; and iconic figures like William Bartram, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Tecumseh.

Healing History: An Alabama Convening: AHA kicks off its “America at 250” programming early, with this October 27, 2025, convening in Montevallo. Designed as a day of imagination and inspiration, attendees will hear from fellow Alabamians who are engaged in work that reflects AHA’s Healing History initiative. The goal is to learn how Alabamians are examining our shared past in order to bridge divides and bring communities together today.

*A portion of the brand-new Smithsonian exhibit, AMERICANS, coming to Alabama in 2026-2027.*

Share our “AHA: America at 250” flyer.

AHA’s 250 partners

None of these initiatives would be possible, of course, without the work of many partners across Alabama, many of whom are putting together incredible “America at 250” programming of their own.

Thank you to AHA’s initial 250 partners, including: American Village, Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts and Humanities, David Mathews Center for Civic Life, Dale County Council of the Arts and Humanities, Encyclopedia of Alabama, National History Day, Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street, and Washington County History Museum.

The Alabama Humanities Alliance is especially proud to be a partner organization for America250AL at American Village, the state’s designated Semiquincentennial celebration capitol. America250AL offers celebration grants, community toolkits, a Semiquincentennial Schools program, and an oral history effort called “Share Your Story.” To learn more about these offerings, and more, visit america250al.org.

Help make this all happen

Alabama Humanities remains committed to its Semiquincentennial commemorations, but AHA will need help from individuals and organizations across the state to make it happen. This is due to abrupt, and deep, federal cuts to AHA’s funding in 2025.

Since 1974, AHA has been part of a federal-state partnership to promote the arts and humanities across the United States. In that time, AHA has used federal dollars annually appropriated by a bipartisan Congress to support its statewide grantmaking and local programming in communities across Alabama.

In April of 2025, however, the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) terminated AHA’s longstanding partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, eliminating what amounts to two-thirds of AHA’s annual funding. Since then, we have been deeply grateful for support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and state lawmakers that has helped AHA preserve much (though not all) of our statewide offerings.

To support AHA’s 2026 programming, donate at alabamahumanities.org/support.

About the Alabama Humanities Alliance
Founded in 1974, the nonprofit and nonpartisan Alabama Humanities Alliance has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Through our grantmaking and public programming, we promote lifelong learning, impactful storytelling, and civic engagement. We believe the humanities can bring Alabamians together and help us better understand the communities we call home.

Photo at top: Residents of Ozark, Alabama, gather for the opening reception of a Smithsonian traveling exhibit in 2024. For America’s Semiquincentennial, AHA will bring two new Smithsonian exhibits to the state in 2026, which will help Alabamians explore the rich and complex history of our nation.

Supporting history and civics in the classroom

October 1, 2025 — A children’s literature project for students with learning disabilities. A living history wax museum and City Hall field trip. A storytelling series. And a class-created book of civic rights and responsibilities.

These are the winning project ideas submitted by Alabama educators chosen as AHA’s 2025 Riley Scholars. This year’s winners are Abby Crews (Geneva), Jordan Franck (Florence), Amanda Ridge (Russellville), and Ashlie-Nicole Wehner (Huntsville).

The competitive Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to K-8 educators who excel at helping students engage with history and civics. Riley Scholars receive $2,000 in support of history- and civics-related classroom projects or for professional development opportunities.

Funded through the W. Edgar Welden Fund for Education, this scholarship is a tribute to the late Jenice Riley — a passionate educator and daughter of former Alabama governor and first lady Bob and Patsy Riley. Edgar Welden is a former AHA board member and a steadfast supporter of educational initiatives in Alabama. Since 2003, the Alabama Humanities Alliance has named 110 Riley Scholars and funded more than $114,000 in teacher scholarships.

If you’d like to help AHA continue supporting Alabama’s teachers and students, consider making a gift to support the Alabama Humanities Alliance.

Applications open for 2026!

Applications are now being accepted for AHA’s 2026 Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarships. Alabama educators are encouraged to apply by April 30, 2026.

The 2026 proposal theme is “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History.” All Riley Scholarship proposals should address how funds would be used to enhance teaching and learning about historical events and movements connected to different revolutions, reactions, and reforms in our history.

This year’s theme is inspired by (but not limited to) the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence in 2026. This is also the theme of AHA’s 2026 Alabama History Day competition.

Meet our 2025 Riley Scholars

Abby Crews, Mulkey Elementary (Geneva County)
Geneva City Schools | Fifth Grade

PROJECT: City Hall Field Trip and Living History Wax Museum
This multi-pronged project will take students on a field trip to Geneva’s new City Hall, which will include a city council simulation. Back at school, Crews will help students create a voting booth for school elections. Finally, students will participate in a Living History Wax Museum that gives them a chance to study history while enhancing their writing, reading, public speaking, and critical thinking skills.

Jordan Franck, Forest Hills Elementary (Lauderdale County)
Florence City Schools | Fifth Grade

PROJECT: Rights and Responsibilities Storytelling Series
One of the most common ways that students learn about the history of our country is through the art of storytelling. The goal of Franck’s project is to help students learn about history and civics through a new and robust library of history books. Novel studies will also be incorporated into the reading curriculum to help students personally connect with history and civics, to inspire them as future leaders.

Amanda Ridge, Russellville Middle (Franklin County)
Russellville City Schools | Sixth Grade

PROJECT: How Can I be a Golden Patriot?
Around 60 percent of students in Ridge’s classroom come from families that immigrated to the United States. This has inspired a hands-on idea for learning about U.S. history and civics. Students will begin by studying the book, For Which We Stand, a book that explains the origins of U.S. government, how it works, and how to engage with it. Students will then create their own book of civic rights and responsibilities, making copies to keep and copies to donate to local libraries.

Ashlie-Nichole Wehner, Jones Valley Elementary (Madison County)
Huntsville City Schools | Special Education, Grades 4-6

PROJECT: Three Bears Den
Can children’s literature help foster an understanding of rights and responsibilities among students with special needs? Wehner will lead a civics classroom project centered around Goldilocks and the Three Bears, leading discussions on the “Goldilocks Theory” of what is “just right” – our daily decisions to make the right choices and be responsible for our own actions. Scholarship support will enable Wehner to create a “Three Bears Den,” with resources and equipment to make learning more accessible for her students with a variety of learning disabilities.

What we have in common

On August 25, at Birmingham’s Red Mountain Theatre, author and social psychologist Kurt Gray offered a new take on this current American era of outrage and polarization. At the heart of his message: We’re motivated far more by what we have in common than we might think.

“Most of our differences come from the same place,” Gray shared, “about protecting ourselves or others from harm. The disagreements come over our different perceptions of what might be harmful and of who’s being harmed.”

That finding from Gray’s research won’t magically heal our nation’s self-inflicted wounds, but it might help folks better understand each other and open up opportunities for productive conversations. Indeed, that hope inspired the entire evening.

Sharing our stories

Gray’s talk was offered as part of an ongoing Woven Together series, co-presented by the Alabama Humanities Alliance, Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, and Leadership Birmingham, and sponsored by Alabama Power.

As AHA’s executive director Chuck Holmes shared at the start of the evening: “We’re going to learn more about Kurt tonight, but more importantly, we’re going to learn more about ourselves, and how we cope and how we process things in our lives and in the life of our nation.”

One of the most important takeaways came when Gray described how to try entering into conversation with someone who might have fundamentally different opinions than yours.

“Facts matter, but they’re not the best way to start a conversation,” Gray said. “You’re not starting an argument to win. You’re starting a conversation to understand someone. And when you approach it that way, storytelling — not facts — is a much more powerful way of bridging divides. Start with your personal experiences.”

So, how do we start difficult conversations, especially ones that might involve thorny topics?

“Talk with someone like they’re a full person,” Gray emphasized. “Nobody is just one thing. We all contain multitudes. So, start with something real that doesn’t have anything to do with politics. None of us like being talked at. People like being asked real questions.”

After Gray’s talk, he signed copies of his book, Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics – and How to Find Common Ground. The book-signing was courtesy of Thank You Books, and signed copies of the book are now available at the Birmingham bookseller.

Healing History

For those interested in other opportunities for coming together in conversation and exploration, check out AHA’s Healing History initiative. This collaborative effort helps Alabamians examine our shared histories in order to better know, and understand, one another.

On August 25, nearly 60 people arrived early to Red Mountain Theatre, to participate in Past Forward, a participatory introduction to AHA’s Healing History initiative. This experience offers a chance to explore, and reflect upon, our shared history — and consider how decisions made in the past affect our lives, livelihoods, relationships, and communities today.

September 11, 2025: Past Forward (Birmingham)
October 27, 2025: Healing History: An Alabama Convening (Montevallo)
November 20, 2025: Past Forward (Bessemer)
TBA: Additional screenings of Echoes of the Forks of Cypress (Statewide)

Lead image, at top, by Bob Farley.

Less outrage, more common ground

It’s easy to drum up outrage these days. Pick a topic. Pick a party. Pick an “other.”

What’s not as easy to do? Choosing empathy. Taking a beat and thinking about what drives our anger and fuels our divides.

Thankfully, author and social psychologist Kurt Gray has — and he’ll share his insights during an evening of dialogue and reflection on Monday, August 25, at Birmingham’s Red Mountain Theatre.

Gray will unpack the science behind our outrage and reveal how empathy, not division, can drive real dialogue. You’ll discover why we’re more alike than we think, and how understanding our emotions can bridge even the deepest divides — no matter where we reside on the political, religious, or geographical spectrums.

The Alabama Humanities Alliance is grateful to present this event, part of an ongoing Woven Together series presented in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and Leadership Birmingham.

Our friends from Thank You Books will also be on hand with copies of Gray’s book, Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground, available for purchase and signing. Our thanks to Alabama Power for their sponsorship.

Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics — and How to Find Common Ground
August 25, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Red Mountain Theatre | Birmingham
Tickets: $10 | woventogether.swell.gives

Note: See below for more info on a pre-event experience called Past Forward, which will take place before the Kurt Gray event, also at Red Mountain Theatre.

About the speaker: Kurt Gray

Kurt Gray is an award-winning researcher and expert in how to study people’s deepest beliefs and why they matter. He’s the Weary Foundation Endowed Chair in the Social Psychology of Polarization and Misinformation, at Ohio State University. Gray also directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The key discovery from Gray’s research? He contends that beneath every heated argument lies a fundamental and shared concern about protecting someone or something from harm. The divide comes, he says, because we have different perceptions of what can be harmful and who might be harmed.

“A lot of past work argues that the morals of liberals and conservatives are so different. They have different minds and will never agree. That’s a really terrible place to be: ‘You’re from Mars and I’m from Venus – I guess we’ll always be aliens to each other,’ ” Gray says.

As a recent press release from Ohio State University shares: “Gray’s work challenges this idea and demonstrates that polarization is not rooted in fundamental difference; instead, it stems from moral disagreement and safety concerns common among all humans. People’s desire to protect themselves and their families drives political and other divisions, Gray explained.

“For example, on either side of the thorny national debate about gun control are people who feel threatened: some by the inability to defend themselves against violence without a gun, and some by gun violence itself. Recognizing this thread, he said, offers new possibilities for healing social rifts, as well as a hopeful perspective that is sorely needed.”

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PAST FORWARD: A pre-event experience

Before Kurt Gray’s talk, AHA will offer a free Past Forward experience, also at Red Mountain Theatre (3-5:30 p.m.). Past Forward is a participatory introduction to AHA’s Healing History initiative.

Past Forward gives participants the chance to:

Learn how the past is still present in our lives today.
Discover the ways we’re connected, and affected, by our shared history.
Reflect on what you’ve learned, in conversation with each other.

NOTE: Past Forward requires separate registration from the Kurt Gray event.

About the Woven Together series

Woven Together features national and local experts who explore longstanding, systemic issues in our community and identify solutions to address these challenges. The goal of the learning series is to elevate big ideas, spark inspiring conversations, and drive transformational change in our region. Explore past Woven Together events atcfbham.org/events.

About the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham is committed to improving quality of life in the Birmingham region by addressing community needs and supporting charitable organizations. We work every day to take on the fundamental issues that challenge the growth and success of the people in our communities, supporting those in need in our five-county region and supporting those who support others. Learn more at cfbham.org.

About Leadership Birmingham
Since 1982, Leadership Birmingham has united diverse cohorts of the region’s most engaged leaders to explore critical community issues and forge lasting relationships that shape Birmingham’s future. And we’re proud to continue our mission, educating and empowering community leaders to shape our city’s future for the better. Learn more at leadershipbirmingham.org.

The Smithsonian arrives in Alabama

On a warm summer evening in Sylacauga, Alabama, more than 200 residents gathered to celebrate a momentous occasion — the opening of SPARK! Places of Innovation, a Smithsonian traveling exhibit, right there in Sylacauga’s Isabel Anderson Comer Museum and Arts Center.

The evening of June 26 represented nearly a year of preparation for the Comer Museum. It also offered a unique opportunity for Sylacauga to come together as a community and consider their shared past and future.

“The Comer Museum had such a clear vision for hosting this exhibit,” says Laura Anderson, director of partnerships and outcomes for the Alabama Humanities Alliance. “They have gathered Sylacauga-area residents around the notion that innovation is at the heart of their community’s shared future — not imagining whether they will encourage innovation, but in how many ways.”

From now through spring 2026, SPARK! Places of Innovation will tour six towns across the state — Sylacauga, Dothan, Brewton, Uniontown, Athens, and Fort Payne. Each host venue will make the exhibit its own — complementing SPARK!’s national perspective with local programming and conversations that reflect their towns.

The idea is to explore the people, places, and ideas that have always ignited innovation in our rural communities — and inspire us all to consider how we can shape our communities moving forward.

SPARK! comes to Alabama courtesy of a longtime partnership between the Alabama Humanities Alliance (AHA) and the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street. The exhibit’s statewide tour is made possible thanks to the generous support of a pair of sponsors, Innovate Alabama and The Daniel Foundation of Alabama.

“At Innovate Alabama, we believe innovation isn’t limited to city centers or tech corridors — it’s rooted in every corner of our state, including rural communities,” says Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO of Innovate Alabama. “That’s why we’re proud to support SPARK! as it travels across Alabama, highlighting the creativity and problem-solving that have long shaped our state’s story. This exhibit reflects our mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurship statewide and shows what’s possible when we invest in local ideas and talent.”

Learn more about SPARK!: alabamahumanities.org/spark.

SPARK! 2025-2026 Tour Dates

SYLACAUGA: THROUGH JULY 19, 2025
Isabel Anderson Comer Museum & Arts Center

DOTHAN: Aug. 1-31, 2025
Landmark Park

BREWTON: Sept.23-Oct. 23, 2025
Brewton City Hall

UNIONTOWN: Nov. 11-Dec. 13, 2025
Renaissance Center (C.H.O.I.C.E. Uniontown)

ATHENS: Jan. 3-Feb. 10, 2026
Athens-Limestone County Public Library

FORT PAYNE: Feb. 20-March 25, 2026
Fort Payne Coal & Iron Building (Landmarks of DeKalb County)

As SPARK! tours the state, the Alabama Humanities Alliance will offer a public info session at each stop, promoting local humanities programming and grantmaking opportunities. In Sylacauga, AHA presents “Get the Scoop” on July 16 at the B.B. Comer Memorial Library.

***SPARK!*-inspired teacher workshop and community reception**

AHA also offered a SPARK!-inspired teacher workshop in Sylacauga, June 24-25, presented in partnership with Design Alabama. More than 30 educators came from across Alabama to consider new ways to ignite their own students’ imaginations.

“One of the reasons this workshop was so fantastic is that it was community-centered, locally connected to the place where it was offered,” says LaVerne McDonald, an educator in Talladega County. “Sylacauga and its mill village are where I grew up. Six generations of my family over time sharecropped, worked at the mill, experienced the loss of the mill and the loss of community that comes with it, and continued to call this area home. Innovations highlighted in this workshop make me optimistic for the future of the community and its youth.”

Indeed, highlighting local community-building was core to the Comer Museum and Arts Center’s plan for hosting SPARK!. During the exhibit’s opening reception, attendees didn’t just view the Smithsonian traveling exhibit — they also got a tour of the town’s former Avondale Mill’s site to consider its past, present, and future.

For more than a century, the mill was central to The Marble City’s identity and economy. In 2006, Avondale closed its doors; five years later, a lightning strike burned down the deserted plants. Residents wondered if the town could survive the loss.

Today, the former Avondale Mills site is transforming into the home of the East Alabama Rural Innovation and Training Hub (EARTH). This transformative and innovative workforce development program, physically rooted in the town’s rich history, will help East Alabamians prepare for careers and industries that might not even exist yet.

“SPARK! is such a wonderful exhibit for us to host right now,” says Judy Green, director of the Comer Museum and Arts Center. “Everyone who came to SPARK!’s opening reception got to tour the new site and see 3-D renderings of what could rise from the ashes there. This is an exciting time and SPARK! helps us all continue to consider new ideas and solutions for our shared future here in Sylacauga.”

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About the AHA-Smithsonian partnership
Since 1997, the Alabama Humanities Alliance has brought more than a dozen Smithsonian traveling exhibits to smaller towns statewide — nearly 70 communities, and counting. Alabamians who might never have the chance to visit Smithsonian museums in our nation’s capital are treated to museum-quality exhibits right here in their home communities. AHA works in partnership with the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street and Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. alabamahumanities.org/spark

About Innovate Alabama
Innovate Alabama is Alabama’s first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation, with a mission to help innovators grow roots here in Alabama. Innovate Alabama was established to implement the initiatives and recommendations set forth in the Alabama Innovation Commission’s report, including smart policy solutions that will create a more resilient, inclusive, and robust economy to remain competitive in a 21st-century world. With founding CEO Cynthia Crutchfield leading the charge, Innovate Alabama includes a board of 11 innovation leaders appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey, collaborating across sectors to advance industries, drive technology, and facilitate an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive. innovatealabama.org

About The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
The Daniel Foundation of Alabama’s mission is to strengthen communities within Alabama and improve the quality of life for citizens from all regions of Alabama. We believe this can be achieved through support of effective organizations that are focused on building a healthy and well-educated population, living in a vibrant community. danielfoundationofalabama.com

Alabama History Day 2025

On April 11, around 200 students from middle schools and high schools across the state will converge on Troy University’s campus in Montgomery for Alabama History Day. This annual statewide contest, presented by the Alabama Humanities Alliance (AHA), enables students to engage in robust and creative historical research.

“The beauty of History Day is that students choose to research topics in history that interest them,” says Idrissa N. Snider, Ph.D., AHA’s Alabama History Day coordinator. “They’re encouraged to be creative storytellers in sharing their findings — as artists, performers, designers, filmmakers, and authors. When students immerse themselves in this process, their confidence grows, academically and socially.”

This is the first time the state contest has been hosted at Troy University’s Montgomery campus. Participating students will present their work in downtown venues, including at the Rosa Parks Museum and the historic Davis Theatre. Volunteer judges will provide feedback and encouragement. These judges include historians, educators, lawyers, and more from around the state, including professors from Troy University.

“A number of Troy’s historians have enjoyed serving as judges for Alabama History Day over the years, and members of the History Department were really excited to learn that the event has found a new home at Troy University’s Montgomery campus,” says Allen Jones, Ph.D., chair of the History Department. “Not only will most of our historians participate as judges in Montgomery this year, around 20 Troy students majoring in history — and members of the university’s History Club — will make the trek to assist in the event and share their delight for studying history with the competitors.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Troy University to provide an exciting and dynamic experience for our Alabama History Day students in such a historic slice of our state’s capital,” says Chuck Holmes, executive director of the Alabama Humanities Alliance. “Troy has long been an outstanding friend of ours and we are grateful for their partnership in elevating the Alabama History Day state contest.”

State winners advance to National History Day, which is held each summer at the University of Maryland and Washington, D.C. Students also have the chance to win special awards from sponsors such as the Alabama Historical Association, Friends of the Alabama Archives, the Alabama Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and many more.

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The Alabama History Day state contest marks the culmination of months of work by Alabama students, as well as their teachers. Far more than a single day, this year-long program provides teachers with a dynamic, project-based learning tool they can incorporate into the classroom — and offers students a creative way to engage with history and civics.

Each spring, classrooms, schools, and districts host local competitions and showcases of students’ work. The biggest single competition leading up to this year’s statewide contest took place on February 21 in Mobile. There, nearly 200 students gathered for the South Alabama Regional Competition, a day filled with fun, photos, food, and fascinating History Day projects.

In Mobile, this year’s History Day theme, “Rights & Responsibilities in History,” generated student research on national topics ranging from America’s World War II workforce to the eradication of smallpox. Student projects of regional interest included Mobile’s Africatown community, the history of the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians, and an exploration of the invasive lionfish population along the Gulf Coast.

Matt Spivey is the academic supervisor for social studies at Mobile County Public Schools, and a partner in organizing the South Alabama regional. He noted that the History Day program has obvious immediate impacts in terms of helping students build critical thinking skills, and in vetting and analyzing sources — “and in all those elements that will benefit our students in their classes, in those high-stakes tests that we use to measure their progress.”

But Spivey also sees a much broader, long-lasting positive impact with Alabama History Day:

“When you’re building those kinds of skills, you’re also building critical thinkers who will benefit our communities in who knows how many ways down the line,” Spivey says. “They’ll be able to analyze complex situations, to vet and source information, to figure out what’s accurate and trustworthy. The critical thinking skills they’re getting will help them address problems in our communities in ways that we’ll never fully know the impact of.”

To learn more about Alabama History Day, visit alabamahumanities.org/alabama-history-day.

About the Alabama Humanities Alliance
Founded in 1974, the nonprofit and nonpartisan Alabama Humanities Alliance serves as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Through our grantmaking and public programming, we promote lifelong learning and impactful storytelling that lifts up our state. We believe the humanities can bring our communities together and help us better understand this dynamic and complex state we all call home. Learn more at alabamahumanities.org.

About Troy University
Troy University is a public, historic, international university with more than 14,000 students and 175,000 alumni. Students choose TROY for its quality academic programs, reasonable costs and availability of financial aid, outstanding faculty, and flexible in-class and online class offerings. Students on the Troy, Ala., campus enjoy a traditional college experience, while adult students are the centers of attention at campuses in Dothan, Montgomery and Phenix City, Ala., as well as at locations around the world and online.

*Troy University’s Montgomery campus with historic Davis Theatre.*

AHA names two new Riley Scholars

The Alabama Humanities Alliance has named Madison County educators Shatia Howard and Alana McNeil as AHA’s 2024 Riley Scholars. The competitive Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to K-8 educators who excel in teaching history, civics, and geography. Since its origins, Riley Scholars have received funding to support creative history- and civics-related classroom projects.

Funded through the W. Edgar Welden Fund for Education, this scholarship is a tribute to the late Jenice Riley — a passionate educator and daughter of former Alabama governor and first lady Bob and Patsy Riley. Edgar Welden is a former AHA board member and a steadfast supporter of educational initiatives in Alabama. Since 2003, the Alabama Humanities Alliance has named 106 Riley Scholars and funded more than $100,000 in teacher scholarships.

Applications are now being accepted for AHA’s 2025 Jenice Riley Memorial Scholarships. Alabama educators are encouraged to apply by April 30, 2025.

More info

Riley Scholars flyer

Application form for 2025

About our 2024 Jenice Riley Scholars

*AHA Executive Director Chuck Holmes presents educator Shatia Howard with her Riley Scholarship, at Lakewood Elementary in Huntsville.*

Shatia Howard, Lakewood Elementary School
Huntsville City Schools | Kindergarten

Project: Diverse Friends, Happy Hearts

Student enrichment through promoting a deeper appreciation for diversity through literature. By introducing students to a range of cultures and backgrounds, students will enhance their social-emotional learning, empowering them to become more empathetic and compassionate individuals. By cultivating empathy, Howard aims to shape a more harmonious and inclusive future adult. Funding will help support purchasing books, supplies, and a buddy bench.

Alana McNeil, Farley Elementary School
Huntsville City Schools | 3rd Grade

Map reading is an essential life skill that modern students may need help with. In this project, students will learn how to read and use maps. Participants will integrate their math, reading, language, cooperative learning, and critical thinking skills. Funding will help support the purchase of maps, learning center supplies, and map puzzles.

Help us award more Riley Scholarships

Beginning in 2025, AHA will double the scholarship amount that Riley Scholars receive to support their efforts in the classroom and beyond. If you’d like to help us reward excellent Alabama educators, consider making a gift to AHA.

Learn more about AHA’s Riley Scholarships. Or contact Laura Anderson, AHA director of partnerships and outcomes: landerson@alabamahumanities.org or 205.558.3992.

About the Alabama Humanities Alliance
Founded in 1974, the nonprofit Alabama Humanities Alliance serves as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Through our grantmaking and public programming, we connect Alabamians to impactful storytelling, lifelong learning, and civic engagement. We believe the humanities can bring our communities together and help us all see each other as fully human. Learn more at alabamahumanities.org.

Alabama History Day 2024 winners announced

BIRMINGHAM / March 18, 2024 — This month, the Alabama Humanities Alliance presented its annual Alabama History Day contest, an accessible, statewide history research competition for middle and high school students. A total of 167 students traveled from schools across the state to compete at Auburn University at Montgomery’s campus on March 8, 2024. Eligible first- and second-place winners will represent Alabama at National History Day in Maryland and Washington, D.C., scheduled for June 9-13, 2024.

Throughout the 2023-2024 academic school year, Alabama teachers incorporated History Day as a project-learning tool in their classrooms. Students conducted primary research on topics of their own choosing related to this year’s History Day theme: Turning Points in History.

At the March 8 state contest, students creatively presented their research to judges — in the form of documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, or websites. The Freedom Rides Museum and Rosa Parks Museum enriched students’ experience by providing guided tours full of told and untold Alabama stories.

Alabama History Day continues to grow statewide
In 2024, the state’s first-ever regional contest was held in South Alabama. Idrissa N. Snider, Ph.D., serves as AHA’s History Day coordinator and has worked persistently to develop the program. Dr. Snider, and a pair of teacher ambassadors designated to serve North and South Alabama, provide virtual and in-person assistance to educators and administrators interested in offering History Day to their students.

“A program like Alabama History Day provides an invaluable opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds to delve into a history topic of their choice,” expressed Dr. Idrissa N. Snider, Ph.D., Coordinator of Alabama History Day. “Through this process, we aim to cultivate more informed and responsible citizens who understand the complexities of history and its relevance to contemporary society.”

The Alabama Humanities Alliance invites teachers, judges, and students from across the state to participate in Alabama History Day 2025. Next year’s date and theme will be announced this summer. Teachers use Alabama History Day as a project-based learning tool, and to spark creativity, camaraderie, and healthy competition in the classroom. AHD staff offer “Alabama History Day & Donuts” in-person introductions, as well as more immersive teacher workshops, student summer camps, and virtual Q&As for judges and teachers.

Alabama History Day is made possible thanks to AHA’s partnership with National History Day. Support for the program comes from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ “A More Perfect Union” initiative and from Alabama Power. The Alabama Humanities Alliance also awarded 2024 special topic prizes of excellence thanks to partnerships with the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Alabama Historical Association, Alabama Public Television, David Mathews Center for Civic Life, Interstate Character Council, National Maritime Historical Society, and Sons of the American Revolution.

Learn more at alabamahumanities.org/alabama-history-day.

About the Alabama Humanities Alliance
Founded in 1974, the nonprofit Alabama Humanities Alliance serves as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. AHA promotes impactful storytelling, lifelong learning and civic engagement. We provide Alabamians with opportunities to connect with our shared cultures and to see each other as fully human. Through our grantmaking, we help scholars, communities and cultural nonprofits create humanities-rich projects that are accessible to all Alabamians — from literary festivals and documentary films to museum exhibitions and research collections. Learn more at alabamahumanities.org.

PRESS CONTACT: Phillip Jordan | 205.558.3998 | pjordan@alabamahumanities.org

Alabama History Day winners head to nation’s capital

BIRMINGHAM / JUNE 7, 2023 — This month, 27 Alabama students and educators will travel to Maryland and Washington, D.C., to compete at National History Day. The NHD competition, set for June 11-15, enables students in grades 6-12 to conduct high-level research on a topic of their choice and present their studies in creative ways. The presentations include papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, or websites. NHD winners can qualify for scholarships and some may even have their work displayed at the Smithsonian.

Who are these students representing Alabama in our nation’s capital?

Back in March, nearly 200 students from across Alabama gathered at Auburn University in Montgomery to compete in Alabama History Day, the statewide contest organized by the Alabama Humanities Alliance. More than 40 participating students won first- or second-place honors in their category to qualify for National History Day.

More than a single day, AHA’s History Day program offers year-long benefits. The program provides teachers with a dynamic project-based learning tool that can be built into their history curriculum. Teachers can also attend ongoing History Day training workshops and students can join in summer enrichment opportunities.

Even in the height of the pandemic, Alabama History Day still provided space for young scholars to develop. In 2022, 28 students won awards in a virtual statewide contest. In 2023, that number increased to 63 students who were awarded first, second, or third place. AHA’s History Day continues to set the stage for youth to grow beyond their current understanding of themselves and the world around them.

“Research helps you better connect to the world and your community,” says Idrissa Snider, Ph.D., program coordinator for Alabama History Day. “And it helps you learn more about yourself. When our students have these ‘aha moments,’ they’re building their confidence as learners, too.”

Indeed, History Day gives students preparation academically and interpersonally so that they can thrive as students, and eventually as professionals. “Whether a child wants to be a rocket scientist, teacher, or truck driver, they have to sit down and interview,” Snider says. “They must look confidently in the eyes of someone else and speak. The sooner kids start being able to speak in front of others, they become more prepared for the real world.”

For some students, National History Day marks the first time they’ll travel beyond their hometowns and earn recognition for their work. And several have already scored big honors in the nation’s capital:

Ddwayne Lockett-James, a junior at Murphy High School in Mobile, will have his documentary, How Did Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company Help Shape the Future of Mobile, Alabama?, screened as part of a world premiere at the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Zamorie Gipson, ZoRiyah Ray, and Sha’Hollene Smith, seniors at Stanhope Elmore High School in Millbrook, will have their exhibit, “Little Rock Nine: Frontier in History,” featured in a live showcase at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History on Flag Day, June 14, 2023.

“History Day illustrates how important it is to have young people from around the state, from all types of backgrounds, coming together in a space and putting their unique interests out there,” Sniders says. “We can learn to have different opinions, outlets, perspectives, or whatever the case may be. And we can respect others’ opinions and thoughts.”

Learn more about the impact of Alabama History Day by viewing our film Welcome to History Day. If you or someone you know would like to bring AHD to your school contact Idrissa N. Snider, Ph.D., at isnider@alabamahumanities.org.