Civil Rights Institute Lands Permanent Home In Riverside County

The following is a news release from the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California:

RIVERSIDE, CA — The public is invited to the free grand opening celebration of the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California (CRIISC) on Saturday, October 22, at 5:30 p.m.

The Civil Rights Institute is the centerpiece of the new, five-story Mission Heritage Plaza at 3933 Mission Avenue in downtown Riverside. The mixed-use project also includes 72 units of affordable workforce housing and a new home for the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County.

The 3,500-square-foot space at Mission Heritage Plaza gives CRIISC a permanent site for the celebration and defense of civil rights. The Institute will offer cultural and social history exhibitions; an oral history recording media center and digital archive to preserve the history of diverse Inland communities; and space for educational programs and performances.

“Inland communities have forged a powerful history in our fight for social justice and we want to make sure our progress continues,” said Ronald Loveridge, President of the CRIISC Board of Directors. “This space represents an enduring promise that we will be here to stand up for social justice for all.”

Opening festivities will include outdoor music and performances, food trucks, giveaways and dedication of the Jose Medina Atrium, an outdoor event space. Guests can immerse themselves in the inaugural exhibit, “Still I Rise: The Black IE Fight for Justice.”

Event sponsors include Altura Credit Union, Bank of America, City of Riverside, Meta, and Southern California Gas.

A Walk of Fame in front of the building will honor Inland Southern California’s rich civil rights history. The walkway includes some of the region’s many civil rights advocates who have made a regional, statewide, national, and/or international impact on civil rights issues.

Planning for the project began in 2017, when Inland leaders saw an urgent need to protect and advance civil rights education by establishing a permanent center. Mission Heritage Plaza represents a $47 million investment, and a partnership between Wakeland Housing Development Corporation, the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, and the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California.

“The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California has been built on the shoulders of Inland visionaries and activists who believe a better world is possible for all people,” Executive Director Sabrina Gonzalez said.

For more information, visit inlandcivilrights.org.

About the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California
The Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California (CRIISC) was established in 2017 by leaders who saw an urgent need to protect and advance civil rights education, programming, advocacy, and examination of social justice issues. CRIISC is committed to standing up for equal rights for all, regardless of race, gender, national origin, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The organization’s mission is to be a vital center for inclusion and to memorialize the region’s rich civil rights history—and shape its future—through social history stories and cultural, civic, and educational engagement.