Left:
Shabazz Academy African Dance troupe
Left: Khalid el-Hakim, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum’s founder Courtesy photos
CADL Celebrates Black History
Downtown Lansing
401 South Capitol Ave.
Lansing, MI 48933
January 13 and January 14
for these special events:
Black History 101 Mobile Museum:
NECESSARY! exhibit
Presenter, Khalid el-Hakim
Friday, January 13,
10 am-5 pm
Saturday, January 14,
9 am-4 pm
Malcolm X & Hip Hop
Professor Griff of Public Enemy
Saturday, January 14 • 11 am
Shabazz Academy African Dancers & Drum Group
Enjoy a student performance that blends traditional West and East African dance and
drumming traditions.
Saturday, January 14 • 1:30 pm
Black History Storytime
Children of all ages and their families are invited to listen to stories and make a craft
to take home.
Saturday, January 14 • 2 pm
LANSING, MI — For the past 20 years, the Black History 101 Mobile Museum has acquired thousands of original artifacts of Black memorabilia. The innovative traveling tabletop exhibit depicts African-American memorabilia spanning from slavery and its reminders of the prejudice suffered by African-Americans to pieces from the Hip-Hop era. The Black History 101 Mobile Museum travels to colleges, universities, K-12 schools, conferences, and cultural events across the country.
The Necessary! Tour is an exhibit that celebrates the life of Malcolm X who resided in Lansing at least until 8th grade. The museum will feature original documents signed by Malcolm X, Paul Robeson, Mary Mc Cloud Bethune and more. An original bill of sale for an African slave and her children and other interesting artifacts will also be available for viewing. Professor Griff of Public Enemy will also provide a lecture on the importance of the lost chapters of Malcolm X to the Hip-Hop community. He will be speaking about the influence of Malcolm X on conscious hip-artists.
Khalid el-Hakim, the museum’s founder and curator said, “I want people to walk away inspired by Malcolm X’s contributions. My reason for collecting is to fill in the gaps in the history books . A lot of artifacts that I am bringing you will not find in the history books. When we talk about African-American history, we skip whole eras, this will be an opportunity to see Malcolm X as he and others have inspired me.”
el-Hakim became interested in Black memorabilia by way of his sociology professor, Dr. David Pilgrim, in the early 90’s. During one of classes , Dr. Pilgrim brought in Jim Crow artifacts. Dr. Pilgrim is best known as the founder and curator of the Jim Crow Museum-a 5,000 piece collection of racist artifacts located at Ferris State University.
el-Hakim reflected that the artifacts that he brought to class sparked a conversation so interesting that he could not stop thinking about collecting for himself.
Starting two decades ago over the years he found that a lot Black Americana still existed in families dusty basements and closets. He lamented, “Stereotypical images were massed produced. There were images in magazines, on kitchenware… you would think that it was completely gone but it is still here.”
In Howell in 2005, there was a auction of Robert Miles’ estate, he was the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. el-Hakim was able to obtain Miles’ personal scrapbook and a photograph of him standing in front of burning cross that he kept in his office. Miles’ library also contain some of first printings of literature from African American revolutionaries. el-Hakim also has a Ku Klux Klan hood that he purchased from an antique store in Saginaw.
el- Hakim has many interests which include writing. His book “Drum Majors for Justice” which consists of 101 quotes from African-American politicians is slated to be released in early January of 2012.
Every treasure he uncovers provides a glimpse to the the past and he is providing a strong foundation for all American history’s future.
el-Hakim will be presenting the Black History 101 Mobile Museum: NECESSARY! exhibit at the Downtown Capital Area District Library located at 401 South Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI on January 13 and January 14. Professor Griff will be speaking on Malcolm X & Hip Hop on Saturday, January 14 at 11 am.
Also enjoy a student performance by the Shabazz Academy African Dancers & Drum Group. They will blend traditional West and East African dance and drumming traditions on Saturday, January 14 at 1:30 pm.
Children of all ages and their families are invited to listen to stories during Black History Storytime and will be able to make a craft to take home on Saturday, January 14 at 2 pm.
All events are free and open to the public. Read more at blackhistory101mobilemuseum.com or www.shabazzlearning.com.
This was printed in the December 18, 2011 – December 31, 2011 Edition
