Preserving Black Historical, Cultural, and Educational Institutions

By Artist, Debra Hand

Presented by Omni-U Virtual University

“What became of the Black People of Sumer?” the traveler asked the old man, “for the ancient records show that the people of Sumer were Black. What happened to them?

“Ah,” the old man sighed. “They lost their history, so they died.”

From: The Destruction of Black Civilization by Ancestor Chancellor Williams, Maa Kheru

Dear Family,

What would you do if you knew that membership commitments would assure the continued existence of such vital institutions as The National Museum of African American History; The DuSabie Black History Museum and Education Center; and, The South Side Community Art Center, which were founded specifically to tell our stories and to build dignity in Us and Our children - long before your history and culture were thought of as worthy of attention by any other American institution?

What would YOU do If YOU knew that, in this day of critical social change(s), non-Black institutions are scrambling to try to tell YOUR story for YOU from their “outside world looking-in perspective”?

Would YOU then seek to protect the few authentic institutional voices that can speak, first-person, about who WE are and how WE came to be US?

Would You choose to help ensure that Black history and Culture are reflected and narrated by Our most trusted institutions? Or, would You prefer to leave it to others to examine and declare who We are and what is Our value as a people?

In the quiet of our consciences, confronted by sociial upheaval and unprecedented change, a simple question is being asked of Us all: What will We do to preserve these important institutions?

Unless our actions result in tangible results, shouting “Black and Proud” slogans will only be symbolic. At this critical point in Our history,Our historical, cultural, and educational institutions need - and deserve-our immediate support more than ever...

From their very beginnings, these institutions have been right there fighting for the acknowledgment of our relevance. They were there, consistently, to correct the untruths about our history and to confirm and assert our beauty--despite a world that would ridicule us. They were there to tell our stories and to keep our self-esteem afloat in a society that sought daily to tell us we were nothing. They were there to honor our humanity and art when other institutions considered our point- of- view to be irrelevant, mediocre, unworthy, and valueless.

The South Side Community Art Center (SSCAC) and The DuSable Museum of African-American History (now The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center) were both principally founded by our great Ancestor, Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs. They have been there continuously for Black people. The question is: will WE be there for them now?

Hopefully, We are willing to protect these institutions by stepping forward- not just for Us, but for every generation that follows! Please let your choice resound by visiting and/ or contacting them and adding your name to their Membership Rosters right away!

The DuSable Museum Is located at 740 E.56th Pl., Chicago, IL. 60653, (773) 947-0600

The South Side Community Art Center is located at 3831 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL. 60653, 1(773)373-1026

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is located at 1400 Constitution Ave. NW

Washington, D C 20560

1(844) 750-3012

Please contact each institution for its Membership fees, schedules, and volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for preserving our story, our beauty, and our future by supporting these and other essential Black Historical, Cultural, and Educational institutions.

Recommended Viewing:

“Journeying With Margaret,” Featuring Ancestor Dr. Margaret Taylor Goss Burroughs, Maa Kheru

https://youtu.be/KQW-KrPMz_o?si=xCPZIguEfiqQzeJM.

“We Will Not Be Erased” Featuring, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III

https://youtu.be/BMVgy32_Zqk?si=-N_X51ONeG6zwjV1

Community Curator: The South Side Community Art Center," Featuring: Masequa Myers.