Post from Community: America’s Black Holocaust Museum receives a $10 million commitment | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
America's Black Holocaust Museum
December 8, 2021
(File photo by Sue Vliet)
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America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) is the recipient of a $10 million commitment made by an anonymous donor through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. This transformational commitment is in support of ABHM’s recent announcement to reopen on February 25, 2022, and a strategic plan by NMBL Strategies that provides a roadmap to growth and sustainability for generations to come.
“At a time of hyperpolarization, we are in dire need of safe spaces and opportunities created to bring us together to explore difficult issues, to learn, and to celebrate our history,” said Dr. Robert (Bert) Davis, president and CEO of America’s Black Holocaust Museum. “The reemergence of the museum is critical at this time for Bronzeville, Milwaukee and nationally, and I am honored and humbled to continue the work and the legacy of our founder, Dr. James Cameron, as a result of this generous commitment.”
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An official announcement and check presentation was made on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 10 am at the museum, 401 W. North Avenue in Milwaukee.
The commitment will be carried out in two phases – an initial grant of $5 million, and a future commitment of an additional $5 million.
Phase one’s main objective is to open and expand the museum for public use. Funds will support expanding and enhancing the exhibits in the building, including all necessary additions
and upgrades as well as the grand re-opening. The commitment will also support critical operations such as the addition of key staff and community programming. The expansion will include the acquisition of an adjacent building at 324 W. North Avenue for academic programming.
Phase two will support long-term goals of sustainability and development of the museum to ensure the mission and vision can be carried out in perpetuity.
“With this new investment, America’s Black Holocaust Museum is poised for growth as an unparalleled destination for knowledge and connection – a jewel in our city that enhances the
surrounding neighborhoods and serves as a beacon for racial justice everywhere,” said Ellen
Gilligan, president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. “The generational work of ABHM aligns with the Foundation’s vision of a Milwaukee for all, and on behalf of our anonymous donor, we hope this commitment inspires others to support and sustain the museum in its vital mission.”
The museum, as a physical space and virtual museum, is crucial as an anchor institution in the heart of Milwaukee historic neighborhood of Bronzeville – and as a place of learning, healing and reconciliation.
About America’s Black Holocaust Museum
For 20 years, ABHM served as a cultural cornerstone and educational institution welcoming local, national and international visitors of all backgrounds to the city of Milwaukee. Its physical return to Bronzeville celebrates the neighborhood’s history and encourages efforts to develop the Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District.
ABHM is dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Cameron, one of few known survivors of a lynching in American history. He founded ABHM to explore under-told stories of the African American experience and the harmful legacy of slavery as well to promote racial repair, reconciliation and healing. After closing its doors in 2008, the museum continued its education of others by launching a virtual museum in 2012 (www.abhmuseum.org). The museum is now on the verge of reopening as a physical space on the very footprint of its predecessor at the corner of Vel R. Phillips and North avenues.
About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin’s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. For more than a century, the Foundation has been at the heart of the civic community, helping donors achieve the greatest philanthropic impact, elevating the work of change makers across neighborhoods, and bringing people and organizations together to help our region thrive. Racial equity is the Foundation’s North Star, guiding its investments and strategies for social and economic change. Leveraging generations of community knowledge, cross-sector partnerships and more than $1 billion in financial assets, the Foundation is committed to reimagining philanthropy, re-centering communities and remaking systems to transform our region into a Milwaukee for all. greatermilwaukeefoundation.org | @GrMKEFdn | facebook.com/GreaterMilwaukeeFoundation