Leadership and Legacy: Dr. Russell Wigginton and the National Civil Rights Museum

Leadership and Legacy: Dr. Russell Wigginton and the National Civil Rights Museum

By Trinity Sandifer*

A Meaningful Encounter

As I reflect on my law school experience, Dr. Russell Wigginton’s recent visit stands out as particularly impactful among our guest speakers.[1] Serving as President of the Black Law Student Association, I found that hosting this event in collaboration with the Institute for Professional Leadership was truly an honor. There is an undeniable power in connecting with leaders who bridge historical understanding with contemporary challenges.

Dr. Wigginton[2], who assumed the role of President of the National Civil Rights Museum in August 2021, captivated our audience with his thoughtful insights and genuine passion. His extensive education[3] and community engagement background bring a unique perspective to his leadership of this historic institution at the Lorraine Motel. When he described his daily experience of watching visitors in the courtyard—seeing people from diverse backgrounds fall silent as they encounter the wreath marking Dr. King’s assassination site—the museum’s profound impact became palpable. According to Dr. Wigginton, the museum welcomes approximately 275,000 visitors annually, with 40,000 from outside the United States. What began as a modest memorial in 1991 has evolved into what Dr. Wigginton aptly describes as “part of the consciousness of this country.”

In this blog post, I will explore Dr. Wigginton’s insights on preserving civil rights history, his approach to leadership, and his charge to the next generation to carry forward the legacy of civil rights work.

Preserving History, Ensuring Relevance

Dr. Wigginton’s urgency regarding preserving civil rights history serves as an important message for students entering the legal profession. At the event, his warning resonated throughout the room: “In the next decade, our ability as a country to have firsthand, primary source accounts of what happened in the meat of the traditional civil rights movement—that window is closing rapidly and will be closed.” This perspective challenges us to consider how our generation of legal professionals will maintain the constitutional and jurisprudential foundations established during this pivotal era. Dr. Wigginton described the museum’s ambitious renovation of the boarding house across the street—where the shot that killed Dr. King was fired—which will focus on connecting 1968 to present-day issues through the framework of Dr. King’s final book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?”[4] He also emphasized that this renovation targets younger generations, which feels like both a responsibility and an opportunity.

Leadership Lessons

Dr. Wigginton’s perspective on leadership offers value particularly for those of us preparing for careers in law. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated. It doesn’t even necessarily have to be popular in the moment,” he noted, “but it’s one’s ability to demonstrate and dictate why it’s compelling, why it matters, and how and why it touches and connects with people.” This approach to advocacy—centered on human connection and clear articulation of relevance—aligns perfectly with the most effective legal representation I have observed during my clinical experiences. His emphasis on seeing individuals completely, acknowledging their experiences, and understanding their journeys creates a framework for leadership that transcends any particular professional context.

Among his reflections on Dr. King’s legacy, Dr. Wigginton’s favorite Dr. King quote was particularly revealing: “All labor has dignity.”[5] He explained that Dr. King was not merely addressing occupational worth but encouraging a fundamental recognition of human value. “Everybody has value. Everybody matters. We all have a place and a link, and whatever we’re doing work-wise matters,” Dr. Wigginton elaborated. This perspective reinforces what I’ve learned about client-centered lawyering—the necessity of recognizing the inherent dignity of each individual we represent.

Passing the Torch

Dr. Wigginton’s message also placed an emphasis on passing the torch to future generations. The culmination of his message arrived when he shifted responsibility to our generation: “If the legacy of civil and human rights in this country is going to persist and have a place in our society, it ain’t gonna be because of people like me. It’s gonna be because of you.” This charge emphasizes the privilege and obligation of young lawyers, especially for students who hope to advance justice for the State of Tennessee and beyond. As future legal professionals, we must define freedom for our era while connecting our collective history to contemporary struggles—this encapsulates why many of us entered law school in the first place.

In our pre-event conversation, I discovered my mentor, Morgan Hanna, is his mentee. This revelation became significant after hearing his talk and the importance of passing the torch. Here before me was a living demonstration of leadership legacy—from Dr. Wigginton to Morgan to me—reflecting the very continuity he advocated for preserving history while making it relevant for new challenges. He powerfully concluded, “This is your world. We’re just living in it.” Dr. Wigginton’s thoughtful insights and witty conclusion should encourage our generation of young lawyers to preserve civil rights history, lead with empathy by recognizing the complete humanity of each individual, and pass the torch to those who come after us.

*J.D. Candidate, University of Tennessee College of Law, Class of 2025; Tennessee Law Review Digital Editor.

[1] This blog post is based on a talk given by Dr. Russell Wigginton at Tennessee College of Law on February 13, 2025. The event was hosted by the Black Law Student Association in collaboration with the Institute for Professional Leadership.

[2] Prior to assuming his role at the National Civil Rights Museum in 2021, Dr. Wigginton served as the Chief Postsecondary Impact Officer for Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (2019-2021) and as Vice Dean of Student Life and Dean of Students at Rhodes College (2017-2019). Dr. Russell Wigginton, Int’l Downtown Ass’n, https://downtown.org/master-talks/russell-wigginton/ (last visited Mar. 15, 2025). He served as Vice President for External Programs and Vice President for College Relations at Rhodes College (2006-2017). Museum Selects Russell Wiggington as New President, Nat’l Civil Rights Museum, https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/news/posts/museum-selects-russell-wigginton-as-new-president#:~:text=From%202006%2D2017%2C%20Wigginton%20served,and%20government%20relations%2C%20alumni%20relations%2C (last visited Mar. 15, 2025). Dr. Wigginton also taught in the history department at Rhodes, specializing in African American and community history. Id.

[3] See generally Russell Wigginton, The Strange Career of the Black Athlete: African Americans and sports (Praeger 2006). Dr. Wigginton’s book examines the intersection of race and sports in America, exploring how African American voices have been amplified through sports and when they’ve been silenced. Id.

[4] See generally Martin Luther King, Jr., Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community? (Beacon Press 1967).

[5] See generally Martin Luther King, Jr., All Labor Has Dignity (Michael K. Honey ed., Beacon Press 2011). This collection of speeches highlights King’s economic justice advocacy, including his famous statement that “all labor has dignity.”