Rev. C.T. Vivian began organizing in 1947 with a lunch counter sit-in in Peoria, Illinois. In 1965, during the Selma movement, he was violently assaulted by Sheriff Jim Clark — and responded with disciplined, public nonviolence. He helped lead voter registration efforts, co-founded the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference, and trained future leaders for decades. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called him “the greatest preacher to ever live.” In 2007, Barack Obama honored him for his critical role in Selma. This Black History Month, we’re lifting up the unsung heroes — the organizers, trainers, and field leaders who shaped the movement from the ground up. History isn’t just about who spoke. It’s about who built the path forward. #UnsungHeroes #BlackHistoryMonth #MarchOn