2009 Celebrity Deaths
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The twelve galleries, each with its own music thematic
and theater experiences, will convey a journey from struggle to triumph to
celebration. Featuring more than 150 artifacts culled from every period
of U.S. history, the exhibit will
include objects, texts, religion, music, narration and media. An interactive
component of the exhibition will allow visitors to leave their own video
"imprints," and this collection will grow throughout the life of the exhibit to
become the largest recorded oral history project in U.S.
history.
Exhibition organizers have worked with some of the most
notable scholars in the field to develop this exhibition. Among others, advisory
panel members include Howard Dodson, director of the Schomburg Center for
Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library; Lawrence J. Pijeaux
Jr., president and CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and immediate
past president of the Association of African American Museums; and Cornel West,
professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University. John
Fleming, president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and
History and director emeritus of museums at the Cincinnati Museum Center, serves as the executive producer
for the exhibition.
The National Constitution Center is working to create a local
advisory panel, as well, to identify and
develop collaborative programming to supplement the exhibit and carry the
experience outside of the Center's walls.
"We are proud to premiere this exhibition about the
history of a people at a museum that tells the story of 'We the People' in such
an inspirational way," said John Norman, president of AEI. "We know from
bringing past exhibitions, such as King Tut, to Philadelphia that there is an appetite here for
major cultural endeavors, and we look forward to another well received
exhibition."
This
exhibition is made possible by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which serves as its
presenting sponsor.
"All of us at Wal-Mart are proud to be a part of
America I AM," said Hank Mullany, SVP
& President for the Northeast Division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. "Our support
is an extension of our commitment to honoring the contributions that African
Americans have made to our great nation. These words, sounds, images and
artifacts bring to life 400 years of the African American experience. We are
excited to play a role in presenting history to our Philadelphia area
associates, customers and partners, who will be among the first to experience
this extraordinary exhibit."
More details about the exhibition, including a gallery walkthrough
moderated by Tavis Smiley, are available at www.AmericaIAM.org.
(National Constitution Center)