Museum Holds Event Series, New Exhibit for Black History Month

Minneapolis, MN – Minnesota’s only African American history museum is celebrating Black History Month by holding a series of virtual events available for the public and featuring a new history exhibit on African Americans in Minnesota.

Operating for more than three years now at the intersection of Penn and Plymouth Avenues in North Minneapolis, the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG) is an educational space dedicated to African American history in the State of Minnesota. Unicorn Riot was given a tour of the museum in 2020 by co-founder Tina Burnside (see videos at bottom of article.)

Five virtual and open-to-the-public events are being held featuring a slew of discussions from a wide range of experts on a variety of topics. All five are in the evening times and available via Zoom and by telephone. Zoom links are provided and call-in information is provided in the event information links on MAAHMG’s website and Facebook page.

February 3 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Erase: The Movement to Exclude Black People from History – Dr. Keith Mayes and Dr. Yohuru Williams moderated by Tina Burnside – Link to join
February 7 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. – The History of African Americans in Southeast Minnesota – Mica Anders – Link to join
February 10 from 6 – 6:30 p.m. – Artificial Intelligence & the Black Experience – Elizabeth Adams – Link to join
February 17 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Artist Talk: A conversation with seangarrison and Seitu Jones – seangarrison and Seitu Jones – Link to join
February 24 from 5 – 7 p.m. – Black Joy: Strategies for Improving Mental and Physical Health – Marlee James, Clarence Jones, Phillip McGraw, and Natalie Walters moderated by Tina Burnside – Link to join

On display in the museum from February 1 until July 31, 2022 is new exhibit, “Early African Americans of Southeast Minnesota.” The exhibit is curated by Mica Anders, a genealogist, researcher, historian, visual artist and an MAAHMG History Fellow. Anders says the exhibit will help shed light on stories and contributions to the Southeast Minnesota region.

“This exhibition is an opportunity to rewrite early African Americans into the history of Southeast Minnesota. It serves as a starting point to bring their stories and their contributions to the region to light.”
Mica Anders, exhibit curator and MAAHMG History Fellow

The museum, located on the fourth floor of the Regional Acceleration Center at 1256 Penn Avenue, is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The museum features free parking in the ramp behind the building and free admission.