MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Equal Justice Initiative, also known as EJI, has welcomed millions to Alabama's capital city, and it's only expected to draw in more tourists. That's why we're learning the organization is expanding its offerings. Just a week ago, a hotel and convening center was announced. Now, there a plans for new infrastructure and restaurants.

"This is a city that changed the world," said EJI Executive Director Bryan Stevenson.

Nearly seven years ago the EJI opened the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration here in Montgomery.

"We created the sites with that in mind, to have an honest reckoning with this era of lynching that was so devastating to the American South," said Stevenson.

Stevenson is the visionary behind it all. He says since 2018, more than 2 million people have experienced a powerful, immersive journey through America's history of racial injustice through the legacy sites.

"It just tells me that there's an appetite for this kind of knowledge, this kind of experience, and we want to build on that as we move forward, because I do think it's allowed us to create. Or more hopeful and a more healthy community," said Stevenson.

With the opening of the newest site, Freedom Monument Sculpture Park, Stevenson expects hundreds of thousands of people who've come before to come return.

"I've been really blown away by the response, said Stevenson. "In 2025 and we're very hopeful that we'll see more visitors next year than we've seen since we've opened."

Stevenson says they are focused on the development of infrastructure to support visitors to stay for longer periods of time. This spring EJI will open two new restaurants on North Perry St. across from our Legacy Plaza and the Elevation Convening Center and Hotel will partially open. It will fully open in the Fall.

"That will really facilitate a lot of the the discourse and reflection and engagement that a lot of groups are looking for when they come to town," said Stevenson.

Stevenson says he is proud of the support EJI has given to over 5,000 families across the state who are food insecure. He's also excited about the work they are doing to engage with students at every public high school in Montgomery.

EJI also continues its legal mission, which includes meeting the needs of people who have been wrongly convicted or unfairly sentenced.