Illuminating a historic icon
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. ”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
Be Part of History
In just over 4 years, Lighting Selma has gone from a dream to a seemingly unreachable possibility to now a true reality that Selma needs and deserves. More than a million dollars has been raised so far, and our next goal is to raise $1,200,000 for installation of the lights. We need your help to turn the lights on. You can make it happen.
As a National Historic Landmark and as one of the most recognizable symbols of voting rights, the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge has never been appropriately lit.
Lighting Selma is on a mission to change that. By lighting the Edmund Pettus Bridge with a state-of-the-art (LED) system, we intend to:
- Highlight the Bridge’s important place in American history
- Spread Selma's fame through positive media engagement
- Welcome tourists to spend more time exploring all that Selma has to offer
The revitalization of downtown and the neighborhoods that surround it are vital for economic growth and improving the overall quality of life in Selma. Lighting the Bridge is imperative to all major plans to improve the riverfront, increase the number and quality of businesses downtown, and create an unmatched nighttime experience for tourists and residents alike.
Lighting Selma believes this illumination project will be the shining catalyst for new life in downtown Selma. We are already reimagining the areas adjacent to the Edmund Pettus Bridge, such as the Song of Selma Park and the amphitheater, as spaces for entertainment, culture, and interactive learning experiences.
Honoring Our Community
Along the way, someone asked, “Is this what your community has told you they want? ”
That question has framed our work ever since. The Foot Soldiers, those Selmians who marched in 1965, are the moral owners of the Bridge’s legacy, and we have intentionally made their opinions and desires central to this work. The designers and planners listened to their expectations and honored their responses to design ideas down to the approved lighting colors for special designation lightings.
In these and many other ways, the Bridge lighting project is having a significant positive impact on our community. It has brought diverse people together and proved the benefits of including the entire population, black and white, in a positive, worthwhile endeavor. Lighting the Bridge is bringing excitement, civic pride, and positive publicity to Selma. And it may change the pattern of planning and cooperation in Selma forever.
Sustainability
After project completion, the major expenses related to keeping the Edmund Pettus Bridge lit will be maintenance, technical support, and the monthly power bill.
We have discovered that many people, both locally and nationally, care deeply about lighting the Bridge and stand ready to offer their services and financial support.
One of our core values is that everyone feels ownership of the Bridge lights, so conversations are ongoing to find ways to involve Selma and Dallas County givers, collaborators, and partners.
Plans are underway to create a Foundation that will be responsible for funding long-term maintenance of the lights and equipment. The goal is to have a Board that is diverse, represents all segments of the community and can effectively fund the long-range needs of lighting maintenance as well as spearhead continued lighting-related improvements to Water Ave and areas surrounding the Bridge. This foundation will model a new way of visioning and planning for a bright future that is expertly built.