More than 50 students, faculty, and staff toured the True Black History Museum, an interactive exhibit that guides visitors through the history of African American people, during the museum’s stop on Illinois State University’s campus February 27.
Deanne Saffold serves as president of the True Black History Museum, which displays artifacts dating from the late 1700s to the 21st century. Based in Michigan, the museum has exhibited in over 40 states and reached nearly a million people with a goal to not only highlight African American accomplishments but also to emphasize that Black history did not begin with slavery.
“Africa is not rooted in savagery but in royalty and accomplishment,” Saffold said. “The first forms of written language, spoken language, mathematics, architecture—everything originated in Africa.”
The museum takes visitors on a journey from Africa through slave trade, slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Jim Crow era, the Civil Rights Movement, and the contributions of Black Americans in the arts, sciences, sports, entertainment, education, military, and politics, among other areas.
Yelyse Walls ’15, M.S. ’24, the assistant director of cultural and social justice programming for the Multicultural Center, said she visited the museum to interact with the history and facts the museum provided.
“I think this exposes people to the truth—the real truth—not some fabricated version,” Walls said. “These are real facts, real artifacts, and real documents showing that. And so, it’s about making sure that people are educated.”
Artifacts filled the museum set up in the Bone Student Center’s Old Main Room, including newspaper clippings, books, signed memorabilia, and a historical video playing in the background that highlighted prominent Black historical figures and their stories.
“I appreciate that someone is keeping track of this,” Walls said. “A lot of times, history can be erased.”
Dr. Byron Craig, Illinois State’s interim chief equity and inclusion officer, collaborated with Hospitality Coordinator Kacy Rader ’02, M.S. ’23, of Event, Management, Dining, and Hospitality, to bring the True Black History Museum to campus.
“My reason for wanting to bring (the museum) here was to educate students, faculty, and staff,” Craig said.
He said not everyone may be familiar with some of the history presented in the exhibit, making it a valuable opportunity for people to come together, explore, and have conversations—both the good and the difficult.
“A university campus is a really important place to have this, because it’s a place where people should be coming to learn,” Craig said.
There are many ways to learn about Black history beyond Black History Month, and the True Black History Museum provides an interactive and comprehensive approach that will continue educating and impacting attendees as it crisscrosses the country.
“In a nutshell, Black history is American history,” Saffold said.
About The Author
More Stories
How synthetic braiding hair may be putting Black women’s health in jeopardy – PBS
White Woman Teaches White Folks Black American Cleaning Tips, Marvin Sapp Trying to Capitalize On Trapping His Flock Inside Church Until They Gave $40K, Chinese Manufacturers On 15 Popular Products That Are Cheaper If You Buy from Them and Mor – The Root
Unreciprocated Solidarity: Black and Brown Communities – Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper