From the COVID-19 pandemic to a flood at the facility, the center has dealt with a few setbacks in recent years, but aims continue its mission to educate the community about the county’s Black History.

“In a sense, COVID and the flood gave us a chance to take the time to regroup and really forge a new vision,” said Nathaniel “Nat” Alston, executive director of the Howard County Center of African American Culture.

A vision that includes themed exhibits that guide visitors through the new and improved space. One theme focuses on Africa and its connection to Black Americans in Howard County.

“When people walk in here, they can feel a sense of home, a sense of connection, a sense of ‘this is where it all began,’” Alston said. “We are from the Mother Continent of kings and queens.”

Another exhibit highlights citizenship, civil rights and the struggle for human rights. While detailing the African American experience in the county during their struggles for freedom, the museum also puts a spotlight on trailblazers, who are firsts to hold leadership roles in their respective industries.

“We hope that when people see this, they can see themselves there. And the fact that these people are still alive … hopefully it will inspire our students and young people,” Alston said.

The center held a soft opening on Tuesday, Feb. 15, and Tina Narr was among the group that got a sneak peek of the refurbished cultural center. Before her visit, she spent weeks attending lectures on African American history and culture in Howard County.

“I really think that the way it’s been curated into themes and rooms is very helpful and, you know, kind of leads you through a history of African Americans in this place. So it’s very nice,” Narr said.

The center, located in Columbia, will hold a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 28, to close out Black History Month.

Here is the link to the WTOPnews article: READ HERE

The Howard County Center of African American Culture reopened after some renovations and the installation of new exhibits with pictures, sculptures and artifacts that tell a story dating from the African Diaspora to the Underground Railroad, to the civil rights movement and to today’s living history.

“We want to provide a rich story, not just one of victimization and what’s been done to African Americans,” said Marcus “Sankofa” Nicks, curator at the Howard County Center of African American Culture. “We want to provide a more nuanced, well-rounded, rich experience for the whole entire community.”

The mission started with Wylene Sims Burch, a former educator who turned her collection of artifacts into the museum in 1987.

“We are just continuing the legacy and the foundation that she provided us,” Nicks said.

People can support the museum by visiting, donating and sharing any historic artifacts they have.

The museum’s mission was interrupted two years ago when a pipe burst in the ceiling, causing water damage. They had to rush precious artifacts to safety and close while for renovations.

“We, as a museum, feel as though it was a blessing nevertheless because it gave us the chance to rethink some of our museum practices, and also re-imagine the stories that we wanted to share with the community and the way we want to share those stories with the community,” Nicks said.

So the museum is using programs like oral history, internships, its Sankofa Children’s Academy and its traveling Trunk Museum on the Go exhibit to share Black history in Howard County, in Maryland and beyond, to anyone willing to listen.

“We just want to be a space where the community feel as though we are here to preserve the African American history and culture in a very precious and sacred way for our community,” Nicks said.

The museum will host a public grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 28.

The museum at 5434 Vantage Point Road in Columbia is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can walk in or call 410-715-1921 ahead to schedule a tour.

Here is the link to the WBAL TV 11 article: READ HERE