As the nation prepares to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, Selma, Alabama’s place in history, is once again in the spotlight. While many will reflect on the past, two Selma natives are focused on the city’s future. Ainka Sanders Jackson and Lydia Chatmon, childhood friends who made the rare decision to return home after college, are leading a long-term movement for economic and emotional healing in Selma. Both women now serve as leaders at the Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth, and Reconciliation, where their work is producing real results. In collaboration with the Partnership for Equitable and Resilient Communities (PERC), they have helped secure millions in grants for infrastructure, housing, and economic sustainability—proving that lasting change is most effective when led by the communities being served.
Jackson and Chatmon grew up in Selma, witnessing both the city’s historic triumphs and its economic struggles. They also saw how, each March, celebrities and dignitaries descended on Selma for commemorative events, temporarily boosting the local economy before leaving town again.
“Growing up in Selma, we’ve always known the importance of the foot soldiers who marched our city and ultimately our nation toward justice,” Jackson said. “We will always be grateful for the people who make the trip to Selma to honor those sacrifices. But we know there’s work to be done when the celebrities go home. This is our home, so the work must be done by us.”
Determined to make a lasting impact, Jackson and Chatmon chose to return home after completing their education—Jackson earning her law degree from Vanderbilt University and Chatmon graduating from Penn State with a focus on civil rights and community development. Now, through their leadership at the Selma Center, they are not only keeping history alive but actively shaping Selma’s future.
Jackson, an attorney by training, has shifted her fight for justice from the courtroom to the community, spearheading racial healing initiatives and empowering Selma residents to improve their economic future. Chatmon, a civil rights strategist, is leading efforts to harness Selma’s rich history into sustainable tourism that directly benefits local businesses and residents.
Their work goes beyond advocacy—it is about creating tangible economic growth and opportunities for the people who live in Selma. Their initiatives, backed by strategic partnerships and grassroots engagement, ensure that Selma’s legacy is not just remembered but also revitalized.
“We can’t do this work alone,” Chatmon said. “Partnerships with organizations like PERC are vital. The technical assistance is allowing us to exponentially grow PERC’s initial investment to improve housing, infrastructure, and economic development.”
Chatmon continued, “When America gets a cold, Selma gets the flu. From COVID recovery to inflation, our residents have not experienced the revitalization they deserve.” As the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday approaches, Jackson and Chatmon’s work will be on full display. “When people come for the annual pilgrimage to Selma, many first-timers are shocked to see the humble exterior,” Jackson said. “Lydia and I came home because we see beyond the exterior. We see the spirit of a community that wants to build economic stability. That means capital investment that brings real jobs to support affordable housing and infrastructure.”
Selma is a symbol of how far America has come and how much further there is to go. For Jackson and Chatmon, Selma is more than a symbol or a moment in history—it is home. And they are committed to making it a place of prosperity, opportunity, and healing for generations to come.
