WHEREAS, In 1976, the African American Museum in Philadelphia was established as the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum during the Bicentennial celebration of America's founding; and
WHEREAS, The African American Museum in Philadelphia is the first museum funded and built by a municipality to preserve, collect and interpret the history and culture of African Americans and others of the African Diaspora; and
WHEREAS
,
The museum collects and preserves rare, unique and primary materials that document the history, literature, politics, and culture of peoples of African descent in Philadelphia and throughout the Americas; and
WHEREAS
,
The museum is the repository of more than 750,000 objects, images and documents, allowing the museum to present a rich variety of educational programs, family events, book signings, workshops, films, tours, symposiums and concerts; and
WHEREAS
,
In 2009, the African American Museum in Philadelphia proudly unveiled its new core exhibition Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876, which recounts the stories of and contributions made by people of African descent in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS
,
In 2010, the museum launched a full scale transformation of its facility with the generous support of PECO, Dr. Walter and Mrs. Beverly Lomax & The Lomax Family Foundation, Macy's East and the City of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS
,
The African American Museum of Philadelphia will celebrate its 35th Anniversary during the Heritage Gala on March 11, 2011, with the theme Honoring Our Legacy: Embracing Our Promise and including performances by Danco II, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Nasir Dickerson's Renaissance Messengers, and Brass Construction; and
WHEREAS
,
The museum will use the occasion of the 35th Anniversary to honor filmmaker Spike Lee, internationally acclaimed artist Moe Brooker, landmark educator Dr. Edward Robinson Junior, Philadelphia poet laureate Sonia Sanchez and the founding members of the museum's board of directors; and
WHEREAS
,
Philadelphia has benefited tremendously from the incalculable efforts of the African American Museum in Philadelphia, who steadfastly preserve the legacy of the past and educate the next generation of Philadelphians; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and congratulate the African American Museum in Philadelphia on its 35th Anniversary.
FURTHER RESOLVED
,
That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the African American Museum in Philadelphia as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End