Opening Our Future is a community history project documenting the people, places, and events that should be remembered for their part in the African American struggle for civil rights in Chapel Hill.

This work is in tribute to those who were, in the words of Harold Foster, “disobedient to those who told us to be obedient, but obedient to our own consciences.”

The Civil Rights timeline was created in 2018 with the history makers, storytellers, educators, and other members of the Historic Civil Rights Commemorations Task Force. 

This is a living timeline, open to new histories and revision. We welcome comments, corrections, and new histories. Get in touch.

Want the the large-scale visual timeline to visit your classroom or event? Request it!

A detailed text version of the timeline, and resources used to create it. Learn more.