Empowerment Week

Empowerment Week was a series of programs held during the week of September 11 to 15, coinciding with the 2013 U. S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting and leading up to the 50th Anniversary of the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church.

16th Street Baptist hosted the "National Conference on Civil Rights" panel discussions.

Schedule

All day: Volunteer service projects and tree plantings coordinated by Hands on Birmingham
Trinity Broadcasting Network gospel concert with Wess Morgan, Donnie McClurkin and CeCe Winans at Kelly Ingram Park

9:00 AM-12:00 PM: "Reaching Economic Justice" and "Building Tolerance" panel discussions
1:45-3:00 PM: "Civil Rights/Legal Impact" panel discussion
3:10-4:25 PM: "Civil Rights/Education" panel discussion
6:00-8:00 PM: Premiere screening of "The Watsons Go to Birmingham: Road Trip of a Lifetime" at the Alabama Theatre

10:00-11:30 AM: "Civil Rights/National Impact" panel with members of the National Conference of Black Mayors, led by Rep. Terri Sewell
1:30-3:10 PM: "Civil Rights/International Impact" panel led by Condoleezza Rice via webcast, at Regions Bank
3:45-5:45 PM: "Civil Rights/Human Rights Impact" panel
7:00-10:00 PM: "Uptown Cityfest" at Uptown entertainment district

10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s Emerging Young Leaders Community Youth Summit at the Birmingham Museum of Art
10:00 AM-4:00 PM: Diversity Fair (workshops, artists, vendors, demonstrations, children's activities, and cultural entertainment) at the BJCC
4:00 PM: Dedication of "Four Spirits" memorial at Kelly Ingram Park with Joseph Lowery.
8:00 PM: BBVA Compass "Concert for Human Rights" hosted by Jamie Foxx at the BJCC.

3:00 PM: Worship service and commemoration at 16th Street Baptist Church
3:00-6:00 PM: Birmingham Originals' "Taste of Birmingham Food Festival" on 1st Avenue North at Railroad Park
5:00-6:00 PM: Trinity Broadcasting Network's "The Power Hour" with Rod Parsley & George Matthews at Kelly Ingram Park
6:30 PM: "American Idols" concert with Taylor Hicks and Gip Gipson at Railroad Park
8:00 PM: Alabama Symphony Orchestra with local youth choirs, and Jeremy Rosado & special performance by Red Mountain Theater Company at Railroad Park

Watkins, Mia (August 17, 2013) "Birmingham continues 50 Years Foward campaign with event-packed Empowerment Week in September." The Birmingham News
"Birmingham celebrates Empowerment Week" (September 5, 2013) Birmingham Times
Patterson, Nick (September 11, 2013) "Empowerment Week". Weld for Birmingham
Storey, Quinzel (September 11, 2013) "Empowerment Week kicks off: Here's what you need to know." Birmingham Business Journal