Birmingham, Ala. (WIAT)– On Saturday, the group Kids in Birmingham 1963 hosted an event that they say never could have taken place 55 years ago — a dance where everyone, regardless of race, was welcome to attend,.

Peace signs, smiley faces, and the greatest hits of the 60’s were on full display at John Herbert Phillips Academy. With this being the 55-year anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, members of the organization came to town to share their stories about what it was like growing up in this city over a half century ago. 

In regards to the event itself, the organizers say that this dance boils down to one thing: unity.

“Kids in Birmingham 1963 has shown up for it’s first get together in the city where we came of age in 1963,” says co-organizer Ann Jimerson. “And we’re excited to be building bridges across community lines. We could have never danced together in 1963, and now we can.”

“So we decided to come out and twist the night away with the hits of the 60s,” says Janice Nixon, also an event co-organizer. 

The group will be visiting local schools this week to share both black and white stories from Birmingham in 1963. If you yourself have a story that you would like to share, follow the link to the group’s page here