Human Relations Group, and Museum Builder Calls it Quits After 69 Years

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER
By Janice Morse

Multi-racial march of students in 2012 at Cincinnati's Freedom Center

OHIO---A longtime Cincinnati nonprofit group, dedicated to diversity, is about to become defunct – partly because of the economic downturn, a news release said Tuesday. The group, founded as the Cincinnati chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, “has been at the forefront in this region’s human relations crises and diversity developments since 1944,” the release said. Bridges promoted and fostered inclusion and diversity in the workplace, schools and community. “Bridges for a Just Community will be closing its office and ceasing operations by early September,” the release said. [link]

In 1998, NCCJ (National Conference of Christians and Jews or "Bridges") established the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to continue it's fight for racial and religious justice. The Freedom Center (museum) opened in 2004, and in 2012 merged with the Cincinnati Museum Center.