In this episode, we sit down with Mick Petts, son of Welsh stained-glass artist John Petts, to explore the story and significance of the Wales Window at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. The conversation takes us through how the 1963 bombing of the church, which killed four young girls, spurred a global response — particularly from Wales — and how John Petts designed the window as both a tribute and a gesture of solidarity. We dig into the window’s symbolic imagery (a Black Christ figure, arms outstretched, pushing away hatred while offering compassion) and hear from Mick about the artistic process, his father’s intentions, and the legacy the window carries in the ongoing struggle for racial justice.

Made possible with the support of the 1772 Foundation.The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.GIVE TODAY!⁠https://secure.qgiv.com/for/aaacrhsc/Explore the podcast

This episode of Stayed On Freedom recounts the tragic stampede at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in Birmingham in 1902, when a mass meeting turned deadly. It explores how the gathering, meant to be a moment of collective power and unity, descended into chaos, leading to panic and loss of life. The episode reflects on both the power of mass meetings in shaping movements and the peril they carried, especially in a segregated South where large gatherings of Black people were seen as both inspiring and threatening.

History lives in the voices of those who lived it.In 1958, a young janitor named James Pruitt helped prevent what could have been a deadly bombing at Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El. His story—once untold—is now being preserved thanks to an oral history initiative led by our very own Executive Director, Lukata Mjumbe.This powerful interview, conducted as part of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium’s Evidence of Things Not Seen project, was recently featured in The Washington Post. But this vital work is now under threat—federal cuts have jeopardized the future of our oral history and youth programs, including the exhibit planned to mark the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.Made possible with the support of the 1772 Foundation.The Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium “Stayed On Freedom” podcast engages foot soldiers, leaders, scholars and ‘extraordinary ordinary’ people who are “stayed on freedom.” We remember to remember how the history and continuing legacy of the Black freedom movement and our Civil Rights Heritage Sites have transformed communities and changed the world!The views and opinions expressed are those of the podcast hosts, guests and participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium.Donate to the Consortium⁠ ⁠⁠https://aaacrhsc.org/donate/Explore the podcast