From the Nominator

"The summer of 2020 saw arguably the most peaceful protests for racial justice and civil rights in more than a generation. In response, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Health Professions’ Wellness and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees created a series of celebration trails to honor Birmingham, Alabama’s historical impact on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and showcase the modern-day efforts in the Magic City that can inspire justice and healing today.  

There are seven celebration trails that cover 61 historical landmarks and beautifully designed murals. The trails are designed to be walked, driven, or enjoyed totally online. 

The anchor piece is a SHP News online story about the creation and intent of this work. The story drives the reader to the celebration trails homepage, where they can access each trail digitally. Within each trail are background details about and a photo of each landmark and mural, along with informational links to learn more. Each trail also has its own interactive Google “My Map” that links to each of the locations on that trail in the order that is most logical to view.  

Highlights of the SHP Wellness/DEI Celebration Trails include national landmarks like the 16th Street Baptist Church and Birmingham Civil Rights Museum, local landmarks like Ensley’s Black Wall Street and the jail (that is still in use) where Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his “Letters from a Birmingham Jail,” and mural tributes to voting rights, the transatlantic slave trade, Black Lives Matter, and more."

From the Judges

UAB set out to connect with its community and ended up with a story and interactive experience that appeals to multiple audiences, including alumni and prospective students. This powerful entry evokes a sense of place, UAB's history and illustrates the ways in which an urban research university is inseparable from its city. Incredibly strong photography and punchy copy with a strong call to action made this a standout entry.