Why 23/54?
In 1947, 23 brave Pulaski County parents joined Dr. Percy Corbin in a lawsuit against the Pulaski County School Board for better educational facilities on behalf of 54 Black children.
The 23/54 Project honors these brave parents, their children, ancestors, descendants and all Black families in Southwestern Virginia who have acted courageously to improve conditions for their families and communities.
The project also endeavors to inspire young people to act courageously in the face of present and future injustices.
Explore the 23/54 Community Quilt
At the heart of the 23/54 project is a community quilt, where each square represents one of the families involved in the case. Descendants selected artifacts that told their family’s story, weaving them into the design of their quilt squares as a visual and material archive of their legacy.
There are two ways to explore this monument. First, you can pan through a 3D scan of the entire quilt to appreciate its scale, texture, and unity as a shared work. Second, you can enter the digital exhibit, where each family’s quilt square is laid out individually. There, you’re invited to click on the artifacts and design elements stitched into each square—each one chosen with care, each one telling a story about the people, places, and values that shaped these families’ lives. Together, they form a collective memory, preserved and shared through fabric, image, and community voice.
3D Scan
Use full screen mode to enlarge the 3D model. The digital quilt is best experienced on an iPad. On a computer, use two fingers on the touchpad to pan, one finger to rotate, and standard gestures to zoom in and out.
Interactive Digital Exhibit
Listen to the 23/54 Music Video
Your Story Matters
We want to hear from you because your story is vital in connecting the past to the present. Whether you’re a young person today, a parent, grandparent, or community member, your perspective plays a critical role in shaping the future. The lessons of courage, resilience, and sacrifice passed down through generations are often overlooked, especially in the narratives of Appalachia. This project aims to correct that by ensuring that your experiences—of struggle, perseverance, hope, and justice—are documented and shared with the world.
Share Your Story
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