As I reflect on the movements that have shaped our history, I am continually drawn to the unsung heroes who understood the profound impact of physical spaces in rallying, educating, and empowering change-makers. Among them, Georgia Gilmore, Harry Belafonte, and Myles Horton stand out—not just for their activism, but for how they used their spaces to foster community and catalyze significant social movements.
Georgia Gilmore, with her quiet strength and extraordinary culinary skills, turned her own home into a pivotal convening space during the Montgomery bus boycotts. Her house was more than a home; it was a sanctuary for strategizing and solidarity. It was in her kitchen that plans were made over plates of her famous fried chicken. She showed us how the comforts of home could become a fortress against injustice.
“I think whether they’re aware of Georgia Gilmore’s story or not, that generation of people of color, of women of color, who do that work now and call themselves food activists — whether they are focused on food deserts, inequality, or no matter what it might be, environmental racism, whatever it might be — they are inheritors of the legacy and the boldness, and the best of them are the inheritors of the pragmatic boldness of Georgia Gilmore.” NYTimes
Harry Belafonte used his resources and influence to support the civil rights movement in a way that few others could. He understood the necessity of a safe gathering space for activists, purchasing a building in Manhattan, NYC that would serve as a discreet venue for planning and fundraising. This space was invaluable for leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., providing a secure environment to orchestrate the logistics of peaceful upheaval against pervasive racial segregation.
“Belafonte settled upon an apartment at 300 West End Avenue and leased it for a year. Acutely aware of the common prejudice against renting to people of color, he made the deal through another person. After the family moved in, landlord Ramfis Trujillo, playboy son of Rafael Trujillo, Dominican Republic president and dictator until his assassination in 1961, learned that Belafonte was not white, and asked him to leave.Belafonte wrote in his memoir that he was furious at the landlord’s rejection. He famously responded by purchasing the building with partners through a separate corporate entity. He then encouraged friends to purchase apartments in what Belafonte and a number of other tenants turned into a co-op. Herman and Lenore Rottenberg were among those who worked with Belafonte to make all this happen.” Source
Myles Horton co-founded the Highlander Folk School, a beacon of hope and learning in Tennessee. This was where critical skills for civil rights and labor movements were taught and where leaders like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. found both strategy and sanctuary. Highlander was not just a school; it was a crucible for civil rights, where the curriculum was crafted around the principles of justice and equality.
These three individuals exemplified the vital role of physical spaces in the success of social movements. They taught us that the battle against injustice needs not only voices but also venues—places where people can come together to learn, plan, and support each other.
Today, we find ourselves in a world where virtual connections often replace physical ones. While technology has enabled us to bridge many gaps, it cannot replicate the power of being physically present with others who share our passion and resolve. We need more places like Gilmore's kitchen, Belafonte's NYC fundraiser hub, and Horton's Highlander School—spaces where new generations of activists can gather to spark the flame of change.
Our modern movements crave these physical sanctuaries to cultivate the deep, personal bonds that foster sustained activism.
We need more superheroes like Gilmore, Belafonte, and Horton, who recognize the value of opening their doors to gather, teach, and empower.
In their legacy, let us build and uphold spaces that serve as the heart of our communities and the forge of our collective strength.