THE EVENT: A national gathering of Civil Rights leaders, organizers, scholars, and truth-tellers committed to confronting the legacy of racial exclusion and shaping a more equitable future. Rooted in the historic soil of St. Augustine—where Black Americans were denied the right to sit, speak, and be served—we come together to claim space once withheld, elevate voices long silenced, and reimagine justice in community. This summit is not just about retelling history—it’s about rewriting it, together.
THE PLAY: WHEN ALL THE SAINTS ARE GATHERED… is set in St. Augustine, Florida, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. It follows the journey of five students eager to contribute to the fight for justice. While the national movement is often defined by figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Abernathy, this story focuses on those who were the boots on the ground—leaders like Dr. Robert Hayling, who risked everything for the cause. Through the students’ eyes, we witness their training, their fears, and their triumphs as they prepare for sit-ins, marches, and wade-ins, facing violent backlash at every turn. The play highlights pivotal historical moments, such as the loss of the NAACP charter, the Klan’s attack on Dr. Hayling’s home, and the attempted assassination inside his dental office. The arrival of Dr. King further shifts the movement’s momentum, but the play does not shy away from showing how local leaders like Hayling sacrificed their safety and livelihoods for the movement. Each student, guided by Hayling’s mantra, “Never give up,” takes a different path. Their journey will challenge the audience to examine what it truly means never to give up.
TALKBACK THEMES:
1. Seats Denied, Voices Raised: Reexamining protest, sit-ins, and civil disobedience today
2. Narrative Power: Who tells our story, and how we reclaim it
3. Building New Tables: Leadership, policy, and community transformation
4. From Protest to Policy: Movement strategy across generations
5. Faith & Resistance: The spiritual roots of justice work
THE PLAYWRIGHT: Nikki Toombs is a notable American playwright, director, actress, and producer who hails from the “Magic City” of Birmingham, Alabama. She has authored eight plays, directed 40+ productions, and is a nationally commissioned presenter and curriculum specialist. With over 14 years in public education, Toombs is no stranger to the classroom. From teaching Gifted Language Arts to Stage Craft and Advanced Theatre, she has shaped the minds of her students, warranting Teacher of the Year honors in two school districts. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.