Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG) celebrates Black History Month 2023 with a new history exhibit, Black Liberation: Dismantling Racism in Minnesota, by Tina Burnside, MAAHMG Cofounder and Curator. The exhibit runs February 1 – December 23, 2023, at the museum, 1256 Penn Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN. Admission and parking are free.
“This exhibition highlights Black-led movements and organizations, and Black leaders in Minnesota who fought for racial, social and economic justice from the 1800s to the 1960s,” said Burnside. “Visitors will learn about leaders in the abolition, labor, civil rights and Black power movements who championed the cause for Black self-determination and combated against racism through the creation of organizations, economic and political empowerment, and racial pride.”
The museum will also present public events at the museum for Black History Month featuring conversations on a variety of topics. The in-person events are:
- February 9: “Rebuilding Black Businesses” panel discussion with business leaders Kenya McKnight Ahad of Black Women’s Wealth Alliance; Teto Wilson of Wilson’s Image Enterprises; Tameka Jones of Lip Esteem; and Kevin Sullivan of Kevin Sullivan Films. These business leaders will share best practices for starting and growing a business; strategies for restoring and creating wealth in the Black community; challenges of economic inequality and divestment in Black communities; strategies for building generational wealth; and how Black businesses create healthy communities. Event time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
- February 16: “Reflections on the Black Liberation Movement in Minnesota” conversation with Dr. Yohuru Williams of the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Williams will present an engaging discussion that explores the Black Liberation Movement, its catalysts and leaders in Minnesota, connections between past events to the racial reckoning of 2020, and the goals, strategies and challenges for Black self-determination. Event time: 5:30 – 7 pm.
In addition to the Black Liberation exhibit, the Community Quilt Project exhibit is also on display, which features 14 quilts created by community members that express themes of Black history, Black joy, love, family, racial justice, civil rights, Black liberation, gun violence & healing, and Juneteenth – freedom. There is also a quilt honoring Prince that was created during the painting of the Prince mural. Admission to the museum and all events are free.
