Faith & (in)Justice

Throughout its history, the U.S. has dealt with a variety of major social issues, ranging from the impact of slavery and the struggle for freedom and civil rights, to matters of gender and LBGTQ+ equality, economic parity, and environmental justice Along the way, the nation’s three major Abrahamic religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – have all played important roles in both promoting and, in some cases, deterring the progress of these movements.

Faith & (in)Justice engages visitors to explore the intersection of religion and social justice. Through interactives, objects, images, and media the exhibit shares stories of how faith has inspired some to be courageous and organizations that were created to support those in need. It also encourages visitors to think about their own beliefs and what has shaped their views on social justice issues and how they can find common ground with others to protect the “unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for everyone.

Availability

Large Exhibit (4,000 sq. ft.): Beginning January 2026
Small Exhibit (800 sq. ft.): Beginning November 2025

Acknowledgements

This exhibition is produced by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and supported by Lilly Endowment Inc.

National Scholarly Advisors

Dr. Davia J. Crutchfield – Co-founder of BL&CK
Dr. Muhammad U. Faruque – Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati
Dr. John Fleming – Senior Historian and Strategic Advisor, JE Fleming LLC
Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries – Associate Professor, The Ohio State University
Dr. Xavier Johnson – Assistant Professor, United Theological Seminary
Dr. Stephanie Shaw – Professor, The Ohio State University
Dr. Raymond R. Sommerville – Emeritus Professor, Christian Theological Seminary
Dr. Eric Lewis Williams – Assistant Professor, Duke Divinity School
Dr. Gary P. Zola – Executive Director Emeritus, The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives

Resources

Fact Sheet

Large Exhibit Features

Multi-screen introductory theater featuring interviews with faith leaders and activists.
Recreated Praise House including religious songs of the era.
Protest March Experience featuring faith leaders and activists at demonstrations surrounded by audio and video of marches and protests across the U.S.
Music That Matters interactive stations featuring music by artists that have been inspired by their faith to speak out for justice.
Object displays such as The Catholic Worker newspaper, a reuseable iftar kit, water from the Flint Community Water Lab, a Reproductive Freedom kit from the National Council of Jewish Women, boxing gloves signed by Muhammad Ali, and a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood.

Large Exhibit Specifications

Size: 3,500-4,000 square feet; flexible
Ceiling Height: Minimum of 10 ft; most exhibitry is 8 ft with a few tall features
Shipping: In-bound shipping paid by host venue
Rental Fee: Please inquire

Small Exhibit Features

Eighteen double-sided graphic panels
Media kiosk with touchscreen interactive timeline of major social justice events in U.S. and their intersection with religion.
Activity station where visitors share issues that are important to them and how their faith or beliefs influence their social justice views.