About Us
Foot Soldiers Park and Education Center exists to honor the giants
and unsung heroes and sheroes of the Civil Rights Movement who lived, fought and made history in Selma and to inspire, educate and nurture the next generation of social justice activists.
In doing so, we aim to improve the wellbeing of the city’s underserved residents by bringing economic opportunities to the city and developing amenities, resources and programs that benefit the community.
Foot Soldiers Park is developing a landmark park, education center and museum that will preserve the history and lessons of the Civil Rights Movement, transform the city of Selma and become a driving force in the present day fight against voter suppression.
With the history and lessons of the Civil Rights Movement and those who led it as its foundation, Foot Soldiers Park and Education Center will become a hub of learning and activism, preparing today’s foot soldiers for the fight against voter disenfranchisement and racial injustice.
Foot Soldiers Park (FSP) was founded in 2021 by Ms. JoAnne Bland, a Selma native and lifelong warrior in the fight for civil rights and racial justice. Ms. Bland began her activism when she joined SNCC at the age of eight; by the time she was 11, she had been arrested 13 documented times for her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. She was a child foot soldier in the historic events of 1965 in Selma–Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday, and the final march from Selma to Montgomery. Ms. Bland has continued her activism throughout her life, dedicating herself to teaching others about the significance of the Civil Rights Movement and championing the city of Selma.
My Dream for Selma
My dream for Selma is that it will become a place of pilgrimage for all those who seek to right the wrongs of our society, both in our state, our country and around the world.
My vision for preserving the hallowed ground where the Bloody Sunday march began and creating Foot Soldiers Park is to show every visitor, and especially every child, that they have the power to make great change in their community.
JoAnne Bland, Foot Soldiers Park founder, child Selma marcher, raised in the George Washington Carver Homes