NNS Video: America’s Black Holocaust Museum celebrates its rebirth | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alex Perry
January 30, 2020
After closing its doors in 2008, America’s Black Holocaust Museum is showing strong signs of rebirth.
The museum, founded by lynching survivor James Cameron, went virtual in 2012 and is making progress toward a brick-and-mortar reopening at the corner of Vel R. Phillips and North avenues in Bronzeville.
On Jan. 24, officials announced the museum had received a major work of art as well as more than $1 million in funding through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and its donors. In addition, a three-year, $120,000 grant was given to the museum from the foundation.
“BAM (Seated Warrior)” is the work of Sanford Biggers, a New York-based artist, and is a gift from the foundation on behalf of an anonymous donor. The piece was acquired from Sculpture Milwaukee and was on display throughout the summer of 2018. It will be permanently housed at the museum, according to a news release.
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“At a time of hyperpolarization and growing distrust of cultures unfamiliar, we are in dire need of safe spaces and opportunities created to bring us together to explore difficult issues, to learn, to celebrate our commonalities,” Robert (Bert) Davis, president and CEO of America’s Black Holocaust Museum, said in a news release. “The re-emergence of the museum is critical for a time such as this.”