African American news blog that features news that may get little or no coverage in the mainstream media
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
111-year-old black veteran gets African-American museum tour
Richard Overton, who turns 112 next month is believed to be the oldest man in the United States and the third-oldest in the world.
Overton grew up in Texas, where his grandfather, a former slave, settled after being granted his freedom in Tennessee.
He served in the Pacific during World War II in an all-black battalion and worked in a furniture store after the war.
On Sunday, Overton took a private tour of the African-American museum in Washington thanks to Robert Smith, a billionaire businessman and investor who is richest African-American in the country, according to Forbes magazine.
Volma Overton, a cousin, told AFP that Smith met with Richard Overton on Friday in Austin, Texas, where they both live.
Smith, who donated about $20 million to the museum, made the arrangements "for us to have a personal tour, a special tour," Volma Overton said.
"We never thought about going to the museum any time lately, but Mr. Smith came by his house to visit Richard for the first time," he said.
"He sat and talked to Richard about two hours on Richard's porch, and he said: 'Would you like to go to DC to see the museum? What about tomorrow?'
"It happened just like that."
The Washington Post said that during the tour, Richard Overton received a call from Colin Powell, the former US secretary of state and ex-general who was the first African-American to serve as chairman of the US military's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Richard Overton was married twice. He divorced his first wife and his second wife died in the 1980s. He has no children.
Volma Overton attributed his relative's longevity to his love of cigars and whiskey.
"He smokes 15 cigars everyday," he said. "In DC he was desperate for a smoke, but it was so cold!
"He doesn't like cold weather."
Wednesday, April 04, 2018
African American history museum to offer 'Walk Up Wednesdays' in April
Learn more about the Walk Up Wednesdays here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/walk-wednesdays-april
The National Museum of African American History and Culture has been one of the hottest tickets in Washington, D.C. for museum-goers.
Since opening in September 2016, it has welcomed more than 3.5 million visitors.It’s been so popular that timed-entry passes have to be reserved two months in advance.
But every Wednesday in April, the museum will let people who walk up enter the museum on a first-come, first-served basis without the pass that other visitors need to enter.
“Walk-Up Wednesdays in April will help us to determine how to manage visitor demand,” said Lonnie Bunch III, the museum’s founding director. “We are honored and humbled to have struck such a chord with our visitors… We don’t want to disappoint our visitors by reaching capacity and having them wait in long lines for space to become available inside the galleries.”
What the museum is experimenting with in the Walk Up Wednesday trial run is allowing visitors to show up without a reservation or a pass starting at 10 a.m. on every Wednesday of April. No same day walk-up passes will be made available online at 6:30 a.m. on those Wednesdays.
In other words, for the month of April, if you want to get into the museum without a pass, you can do so by just showing up after 10 a.m. and waiting in line.
On average, visitors stay 4 ½ hours on weekdays, Bunch said. The museum has tried to balance not forcing people to rush out while also letting new visitors enter.
“The goal of this pilot program is to provide greater access for the public while maintaining the safety and security of our visitors.,” Bunch said.
Those with timed-entry passes that were reserved ahead of time will still get priority access. And groups of 10 or more will have to go by the usual rules.
Saturday, June 03, 2017
NAACP DENOUNCES RECENT WAVE OF VANDALISM AGAINST AFRICAN-AMERICANS
“We are deeply troubled and disturbed by the heinous acts of racism that occurred on Wednesday,” said Leon Russell, Board Chairman of the NAACP. “Leaving a noose – a symbol and weapon of hate – in front of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture and vandalizing the home of NBA superstar LeBron James, underscore the recent increase in hate crimes committed against African-Americans under the Trump Administration. The NAACP will not sit by idly while our people continue to be assailed by racist and cowardly actions. Furthermore, we call on the Trump Administration to stand up and speak out against these attacks.”
“Atrocious acts like those committed on Wednesday demonstrate the divisive animus that is pervasive throughout our country. The NAACP stands with the Smithsonian and with Mr. James and is wholly committed, now more than ever, to protecting equal rights of all persons and to eliminating race-based discrimination in the United States. We will not be deterred,” said Derrick Johnson, Vice Chairman of the NAACP.
Tuesday, February 07, 2017
LONNIE BUNCH III TO RECEIVE PRESIDENT’S AWARD AT NAACP IMAGE AWARDS
Wednesday, January 04, 2017
Check out the National Museum of African American History and Culture: A Souvenir Book
While I'm sure many of us have future plans to go to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, our very busy lives and or finances could delay or stop that trip entirely. That doesn't mean that we can't get a look at the museum in the meantime through it's souvenir book.
SYNOPSIS: National Museum of African American History and Culture: A Souvenir Book
This souvenir book showcases some of the most influential and important treasures of the National Museum of African American History and Culture's collections. These include a hymn book owned by Harriet Tubman; ankle shackles used to restrain enslaved people on ships during the Middle Passage; a dress that Rosa Parks was making shortly before she was arrested; a vintage, open-cockpit Tuskegee Airmen trainer plane; Muhammad Ali's headgear; an 1835 Bill of Sale enslaving a young girl named Polly; and Chuck Berry's Cadillac. These objects tell us the full story of African American history, of triumphs and tragedies and highs and lows. This book, like the museum it represents, uses artifacts of African American history and culture as a lens into what it means to be an American.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Clarence Thomas was not snubbed by the National Museum of African American History & Culture
By George L. Cook III African American Reports.
Many conservative websites have locked onto this narrative that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has somehow been snubbed by not being included at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Now according to these sites we should all be outraged by this and demand that Thomas be included in the museum. They would have everyone believe that Thomas was not included because of his conservative beliefs and that most black people simply don't like the man (Okay that last part is true, but not why he wasn't included). But there are a few things they fail to mention.
Clarence Thomas is not the first black Supreme Court Justice, that would be the legend, Thurgood Marshall. So other than making it to the bench what has Thomas done to deserve an exhibit at the museum? He is considered a mediocre jurist at best and it's big news when the man ask a question during a hearing. You don't get an exhibit for being a bump on a log.
What's also not mentioned is that Thurgood Marshall is in the museum but not as a Supreme Court justice but for his work in civil rights. The museum does not currently have an exhibit on the Supreme Court.
Linda St. Thomas, chief spokesperson for the Smithsonian Institution, made this statement about Thomas’ exclusion:
“There are many compelling personal stories about African-Americans who have become successful in various fields, and obviously, Associate Justice Thomas is one of them,” said spokeswoman Linda St.Thomas. “However, we cannot tell every story in our inaugural exhibitions.” There is no exhibit on the Supreme Court or the justice system, the museum notes.
The late Justice Thurgood Marshall was featured in the museum because of his work on landmark civil-rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, according to the museum.
So you see Thomas couldn't have been excluded from the museum as there is no exhibit for him to have been excluded from.
By George L. Cook III African American Reports.
Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Grand Opening Schedule for the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Here is the schedule for the weekend long grand opening celebration for the National Museum of African American History and Culture beginning September 23, 2016.
On September 6th at 9:00 a.m. EDT, additional Timed Entry Passes for Grand Opening Weekend Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th, will be made available. The Museum will also offer Timed Passes for extended hours Monday, September 26th through Sunday, October 2nd. Timed Passes for the months of November and December will also be released Tuesday. Learn more about the timed passes and purchase them here: https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/passes
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Grand Opening Schedule
Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration
Washington Monument Grounds
Friday, September 23, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 25, 2016, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Beginning Friday, September 23, 2016, on the Washington Monument grounds, the National Museum of African American History and Culture presents Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration. Conceived and presented in festival fashion, Freedom Sounds programming will include musical performances, spoken word, oral history activities and evening concerts. A drum circle, storytelling, and interactive workshops provide opportunities for families and large groups of the public to explore and celebrate the museum’s rich content and stories. This three-day music festival presents artists who represent the numerous cultural threads encompassing our shared African diasporic histories and traditions. Two tented stages will offer local, national and international performers, contributing to NMAAHC’s Grand Opening Weekend. The Freedom Sounds festival continues on Saturday and closes the Grand Opening Weekend on Sunday evening, September 25, 2016. Designed to accommodate the crowds anticipated; the festival is free and open to the public.
Dedication Ceremony
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Saturday, September 24, 2016
9:00 a.m. Gathering and Musical Prelude
10:00 a.m. Dedication Ceremony Begins
On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the public witnesses the outdoor Dedication Ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In the afternoon, the museum officially opens to the public. Tickets are not required for the public to view the outdoor Dedication Ceremony. Extensive large-screen viewing areas are well-positioned for crowds during the Dedication Ceremony.
Museum Opens to the Public
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 25, 2016, 7:00 a.m. – Midnight
The Museum officially opens to the public at 2pm, following the Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, September 24, 2016. The museum will keep its doors open for extended hours Sunday, September 25, from 10 a.m. to Midnight.
Saturday, April 02, 2016
Smithsonian to acknowledge Cosby allegations at new museum
The Smithsonian now plans to acknowledge the sexual-assault allegations against Bill Cosby at its new African-American history museum on the National Mall, which will display two items related to Cosby's career in television and standup comedy.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opens Sept. 24, will include the cover of a Cosby comedy album and a comic book from his pioneering TV drama "I Spy" as part of its exhibit on black entertainers and artists. Initially, the museum planned to include historical facts about the items without mentioning the allegations, drawing criticism from some Cosby accusers.
The museum's founding director, Lonnie Bunch, said in a statement Thursday that the display would address Cosby's alleged behavior, although he did not specify exactly how.
"Like all of history, our interpretation of Bill Cosby is a work in progress, something that will continue to evolve as new evidence and insights come to the fore," Bunch said. "Visitors will leave the exhibition knowing more about Mr. Cosby's impact on American entertainment, while recognizing that his legacy has been severely damaged by the recent accusations."
[SOURCE]
Monday, February 29, 2016
The Hartford Sponsors Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History And Culture
The Hartford announced its founding sponsorship of the Smithsonian’s newest museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, NMAAHC. The company made a $1 million contribution over five years to support the design and construction of the building, scheduled to open Sept. 24 in Washington D.C.
“The Hartford has been a part of American history for more than 200 years, growing, thriving and changing along with our nation,” said Susan Johnson, head of diversity and inclusion at The Hartford. “We are proud to be a founding sponsor of the National Museum of African American History and Culture and celebrate the important contributions of African Americans to the American Dream.”