Comcast NBCUniversal’s award-winning Voices of the Civil Rights Movement platform celebrates its seventh anniversary in 2020. To mark the occasion, Comcast NBCUniversal gathered together more than 150 civic, community, and faith leaders to honor Atlanta-based civil rights icons who contributed their stories to the Voices platform. Honorees include:

  • Charles A. Black, Former Chairman, Atlanta Student Movement
  • Dr. June Dobbs Butts, eminent researcher and therapist (honored posthumously)
  • Brenda Hill Cole, Retired Georgia State Court Judge
  • Shirley Franklin, Former Mayor, City of Atlanta (honored in absentia)
  • Lonnie King Jr., Former Leader, Atlanta Student Movement (honored posthumously)
  • Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., Former National Chairman, SNCC (honored in absentia)
  • The Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, Co-founder and President Emeritus, SCLC (honored in absentia)
  • M. Alexis Scott, Retired Publisher, Atlanta Daily World
  • U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, Former Executive Director, SCLC

The celebratory dinner featured a debut screening of the honorees’ Voices of the Civil Rights Movement interview segments, and also included remarks from Atlanta City Councilmember At-Large Michael Julian Bond. Atlanta's historic Friendship Baptist Church, a home for worship founded by freed slaves and the birthplace of Spelman College, served as the backdrop for the event.

M. Alexis Scott, 'Voices' honoree and Retired Publisher of the 'Atlanta Daily World', reacts to her segment as it plays before a packed hall of more than 150 Atlanta leaders and distinguished guests.
M. Alexis Scott, 'Voices' honoree and Retired Publisher of the 'Atlanta Daily World', reacts to her segment as it plays before a packed hall of more than 150 Atlanta leaders and distinguished guests.

Attendees heard from the 10 Voices honorees on themes ranging from student activism to Gandhi-inspired nonviolent protest carried forth by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and fellow civil rights leaders. Following the screening, honorees were presented custom commemorative artwork in recognition of their participation in the Voices platform.

“I am thrilled to participate in such a special evening where we can fully appreciate the many contributions our brave civil rights leaders have made,” said Former U.N. Ambassador and Voices honoree Andrew Young. “I applaud Comcast NBCUniversal for its dedication to giving a voice to such an important part of our nation’s history.”

Comcast Senior Executive Vice President David L. Cohen presents Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young with artwork commemorating his 'Voices of the Civil Rights Movement' segment.
Comcast Senior Executive Vice President David L. Cohen presents Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young with artwork commemorating his 'Voices of the Civil Rights Movement' segment.
I applaud Comcast NBCUniversal for its dedication to giving a voice to such an important part of our nation’s history.
Andrew Young
Former U.N. Ambassador and 'Voices' honoree

“I want to thank tonight’s honorees for choosing to push forward when it might have been easier to sit down and rest. We are honored by your tireless work and commitment here in Atlanta and across our country,” said David L. Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation. “And I thank [our honorees] for entrusting Comcast NBCUniversal with the opportunity to share your stories for generations to watch and learn from.”

'Voices' honoree Brenda Hill Cole embraces fellow honoree the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian.
'Voices' honoree Brenda Hill Cole embraces fellow honoree the Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian.

Comcast customers can experience the entire Voices of the Civil Rights Movement collection on Xfinity On Demand — just say “Voices of the Civil Rights Movement” into your X1 Voice Remote. The platform is also free to the general public at CivRightsVoices.com and @CivRightsVoices on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Learn more about how Comcast NBCUniversal celebrated Black History Month in 2020.