Grand Opening Saturday, June 12, 2021 2-5pm
Media and Press
SOURCE: ArchitecturalDigest.com; Top 20 Museums In The World
Opening in February is a new museum that will tell the story of the African American journey from Africa and all ports in between. The four-story museum overlooks the Ohio River, which is “symbolic because many African Americans crossed that river from Indiana,” says museum director Lamont Collins. The museum, called Roots 101, is a nod to the entry-level college course, and takes you on an educational journey. “There is no other place that tells the story of the descendants of kings and queens that were enslaved,” adds Collins. Exhibits include art and artifacts from artists including Joseph Holston, Sam Gilliam, and Ed Hamilton; a “Derogatory Images” section will include mammy dolls and minstrel shows.
SOURCE: PBS.org Breonna Taylor Memorial has a home at Roots 101 African American Museum
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A memorial for Breonna Taylor will be moved from a downtown park into a nearby museum in Louisville, Kentucky.
The outdoor memorial honoring Taylor with a mural, posters, artwork and other mementos is currently at Jefferson Square Park, the base for months of protests. The material needs a protected space with winter coming, said Shameka Parrish-Wright, co-chair of the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. She said the Roots 101 African American Museum is an appropriate place.
READ MORE: Judge says Breonna Taylor grand juror can speak about case
Museum founder Lamont Collins said the memorial space will be upstairs in a room overlooking the Ohio River, honoring victims of police brutality and people who died protesting.
“When we buried our ancestors, those who went before us — traditionally, we always buried them near water,” Collins said Sunday. “We have a riverview area here at the museum. So my suggestion is, let’s give her and other people that have died at the protests a room to always honor what they did before us.”
One side of the room will hold a casket marked with the names of police brutality victims and those who have died from hate crimes. It was carried by a group of students during a march in June. On the other side will be mementos of Taylor, Collins said.
The timing of the move remains to be determined.
“I think it’s going to be amazing,” Parrish-Wright said. “It brings tears to my eyes to think about us being able to take this there and rebuild it and let that be a permanent home. Folks had suggested a storage unit, but we know what happens, and we won’t let Breonna be buried again.”
READ MORE: Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend recounts how police shot her
The Roots 101 African-American Museum is located at 819 West Main St. in downtown Louisville’s Museum Row.
Twenty-six-year-old Taylor was a Black emergency medical worker who was shot five times by white Louisville police officer on March 13. Her death, along with the police killing of George Floyd, sparked months-long police brutality protests.
Left: The outdoor memorial honoring Taylor with a mural, posters, artwork and other mementos is currently at Jefferson Square Park, the base for months of protests. Photo by Eduardo Munoz/REUTERS.
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Go Deeper
SOURCE: Louisville Business First; Louisville will soon have a new African American Museum
"I think this museum is more than a museum — it’s a healing place. When I say healing place, it’s a place where everyone can come together and understand that America is better when we all work together."
Photo Credit: Tyerson Lancaster
SOURCE: COURIER JOURNAL; Louisville will soon have a 'healing place' for black history at new museum on Main Street
SOURCE: WFPL.ORG; Virtual Tour of Louisville Black Artist
SOURCE: WHAS 11
Roots 101 is the healing place for all.
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Episode 102