An Alabama Convening

Two years ago, the Alabama Humanities Alliance began an experiment. We came to call it our Healing History initiative.

A collaborative effort, Healing History brings Alabamians together to investigate our shared past — as a way to better understand our present and each other. The goal is to strengthen our communities, our workforces, and our relationships with each other.

Learning from history isn’t a new idea, of course; we are far from the only people in the state doing this kind of work. And that’s why we want to hear from — and learn from — others who are also engaged in “Healing History” work in their own communities across Alabama.

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Are you engaged in work that brings history to bear on the present? Join AHA on October 27, 2025, for Healing History: An Alabama Convening.

This will be a gathering focused on inspiration and imagination, of considering different ways we can mine the past to strengthen our present. Plenary sessions, talks, and film screenings will highlight creative, history-based model projects. There will also be ample time to sit, share, and connect.

Bring your own ideas and examples, your openness and curiosity. Partners Hall will be open throughout the day, showcasing collaborators from around the state. Registration is free but required in advance. Lunch will be provided.

Healing History: An Alabama Convening
October 27, 2025  |  10am-4pm
The Rotunda at American Village
3727 Highway 19  |  Montevallo, AL 35115
Register for free: surveymonkey.com/r/FZYR8GH

Why Montevallo? We’re meeting in the middle of the state for two reasons. One, because we have some great friends at the David Mathews Center for Civic Life and the American Village Citizenship Trust who graciously agreed to host us. And, two, we wanted to meet in the middle of the state to allow for as many people, from all corners of Alabama, to join us.

Who should attend? 

• Representatives of Alabama nonprofits, philanthropies, community foundations, historical groups, neighborhoods, companies, and more, who are already engaged in “Healing History” efforts.
• Anyone interested in this type of work, especially those working with nonprofits, local government, healthcare, public history and the humanities, media, and more.

Learn more: 

• Flyer: An Alabama Convening
• Register for free

Supporting organizations
AHA’s Healing History initiative would not have gotten off the ground two years ago without seed funding from the State of Alabama, and it would not have grown without the generous, ongoing support of the Community Foundation for Greater Birmingham. Additional thanks to our founding/model partners at Bread for the World, History Before Us, Regions Bank, The Wallace Center for Arts and Reconciliation.