ABOUT US
Welcome to the 16th Street Education and Visitor Center, where the courage of a community becomes a living lesson for us all. Born from the enduring legacy of the 16th Street Baptist Church, we exist to honor those who sacrificed, to teach the truths that shaped the fight for justice, and to inspire every visitor to carry that work forward. Here, you’ll find a space to remember deeply, learn honestly, and discover your own role in building a more equitable world.
AT OUR CORE
The 16th Street Education and Visitor Center is a place where history meets action, and reflection fuels progress. Rooted in the legacy of the 16th Street Baptist Church, this center serves as a beacon for those seeking to understand the past, engage with the present, and shape a more just future.
AT OUR CORE
The 16th Street Education and Visitor Center is a place where history meets action, and reflection fuels progress. Rooted in the legacy of the 16th Street Baptist Church, this center serves as a beacon for those seeking to understand the past, engage with the present, and shape a more just future.
GUIDING THE MISSION
The success of the 16th Street Education and Visitor Center is driven by a team of dedicated leaders who bring their expertise, passion, and vision to every aspect of our work. Each member plays a vital role in preserving the legacy of the 16th Street Baptist Church and creating a space for education, reflection, and transformation. Together, they ensure that our mission continues to inspire and empower all who visit.
Dr. Terrence Brown
Executive Director
Dr. Terrence Brown is an educator with over twenty years of experience in public education, currently serving as Executive Director of the 16th Street Education and Visitor Center — a place that honors the legacy of 16th Street Baptist Church while exploring the intersection of faith and social action.
Dr. Brown’s path to education began in the food industry, where he saw firsthand how limited literacy held back the employees he managed. That experience led him to earn a master’s degree in science education from UAB, launching a teaching career in environmental science, chemistry, and physical science. He later earned his Doctor of Education from Samford University (2010), studying the impact of emotional intelligence on student performance.
Over his career, Dr. Brown has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and Director of Arts Education for Jefferson County School District, leading initiatives that expanded student access to the arts and used them to drive engagement and critical thinking.
Douglas Spradley
Grants and Finance Manager
Douglas Spradley is the Grants and Finance Manager for Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and the 16th Street Community Enrichment Foundation where he oversees the Finance, Grants Management and Operations.
Douglas has an extensive background in creating business strategies. Prior to joining the Sixteenth Street team, he held a number of managerial roles in the retail, nonprofit, and banking industry.
Douglas holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Huntingdon College and an MBA from NorthCentral University with a concentration in Marketing.
Sharmayne Stoves
Administrative Assistant
Sharmayn Champion Stoves is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, where she was raised in the historic Dynamite Hill community. Born during the 1960s, she shares a personal connection to the Civil Rights Movement, an experience that helped shape her lifelong commitment to service, education, and advocacy.
A proud alumna of Spelman College, Sharmayn’s gift for communication was recognized early when a freshman English professor compared her to the legendary abolitionist and women’s rights advocate Sojourner Truth. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to educating, mentoring, volunteering and empowering others to realize their fullest potential.
Beyond her professional and community service, Sharmayn enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time at the beach. She is the devoted wife of Travis, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother whose faith, compassion, and commitment to uplifting others continue to grow.
Andre Taylor
Director of Visitor Engagement
Andre Taylor is a graduate of Alabama State University, where he earned a degree in Accounting in 1985. He brings more than 28 years of management experience, with a proven track record of leadership, team development and operational excellence.
Throughout his career, Andre has been dedicated to building strong teams, improving organizational performance, and delivering results. He is recognized for his professionalism, integrity, and commitment to helping others succeed.
Dale Tadlock
Director of Development
Dale Tadlock is the Director of Development for the 16th Street Community Enrichment Foundation. Dale is an ordained minister and was a youth pastor before doing development work in the Birmingham area.
He is a graduate of Mississippi College (B.S), Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), completed coursework at Harvard Divinity School, and holds a Certificate in Youth and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. Dale is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Away from 16th Street, he is also a professional SAG/AFTRA-eligible film, tv, and commercial actor. Recently, he completed his tenure as a Board Member of Hoover-AHEAD, a social justice advocacy nonprofit in Hoover, AL. An avid cook and baker, he views his opportunity to serve 16th Street and the Education and Visitor Center as the perfect intersection of his passion for faith, justice, civil rights history, and racial justice advocacy.
Shanice Butler
Visitor Engagement and Administrative Assistant
Shanice Butler serves as the Visitor Engagement and Administrative Assistant for the 16th Street Education and Visitor Center, where she plays a vital role in welcoming guests and supporting the Center’s mission of preserving and sharing the history of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and its significance in the Civil Rights Movement.
In her role, Shanice assists in the day-to-day visitor operations, including greeting guests, coordinating tours, and managing administrative functions that support the Center’s educational programming.
Shanice is passionate about community engagement and she is committed to ensuring that the 16th Street Education and Visitor Center remains a welcoming space for reflection, learning, and dialogue for all who visit.
FROM TRAGEDY TO RESILIENCE
THE STORY OF THE EV CENTER
The EV Center was created to honor the lives and stories that have shaped the journey toward justice, including the four young girls whose lives were lost in the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing. It stands as a reminder of the resilience of a community that turned an unthinkable tragedy into a global call for change. Here, we believe that history is not just something to be remembered—it is something to be lived, learned from, and carried forward.
INSPIRING PROGRESS
A CALL FOR CHANGE
A call for change is not just a moment—it’s a movement that challenges us to reflect deeply, act boldly, and strive for a future shaped by equity and understanding. At the 16th Street Education and Visitor Center, this call invites us to engage with history in a way that sparks transformation and empowers each of us to be agents of progress.
A Space for Reflection and Growth:
DYNAMIC LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
A Legacy of Resilience
DISCOVER MORE
JOIN US
Whether you’re visiting to learn, reflect, or engage, the 16th Street Education and Visitor Center welcomes you to be part of this ongoing journey. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of the 16th Street Baptist Church continues to inspire and transform lives for generations to come.