The African American Museum of Nassau County

The links below will provide you with details on some of the many programs run by the African American Museum(AAM) of Nassau County. Some programs are educational, some are seasonal, and some may be cross-institutional. The AAM is part of Nassau County's museum system. Cross-institutional programs can involve the use of the facilities of other Nassau County museums, as well as our own.

- » Upcoming Exhibit & Event Flyers
- » Current & Upcoming Exhibitions, Events & Workshops for 2012
- FILM SCREENING: Focus on African American Families
  February 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2012 .......... Every Friday in February, 10am - 7pm
  
  We invite you to watch four films we have selected for your viewing pleasure:
  
  Freedom Riders tells the story of a group of civil rights activists who 50 years ago challenged segregation in the American South. The sacrifices made by these extremely courageous individuals of ALL races, brought the necessary attention to and disdain for the stain of Jim Crow Laws in general and segregation in particular.
  
  Akeelah & the Bee tells the story of Akeelah Anderson, portrayed by Keke Palmer, an 11-year-old girl who participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, her mother, portrayed by Angela Bassett, schoolmates, and also her coach, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne. It also explores issues of education in a low socioeconomic African American community.
  
  Two Nations of Black America is a documentary by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., a Harvard scholar, that explores the gaping chasm between the upper and lower classes of black America and probes why it has happened: "How have we reached this point where we have both the largest black middle class and the largest black underclass in our history?"
  
  A Raisin in the Sun In 1961, a film version of A Raisin in the Sun was released featuring its original Broadway cast of Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Claudia McNeil, Diana Sands, Ivan Dixon, Louis Gossett, Jr. and John Fiedler. Hansberry wrote the screenplay, and the film was directed by Daniel Petrie. It was released by Columbia Pictures and Ruby Dee won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress. Both Poitier and MacNeil were nominated for Golden Globe Awards, and Petrie received a special "Gary Cooper Award" at the Cannes Film Festival. However, the film received no Academy Award nominations, presumably to avoid racial tensions.
  
  The Help, is an ensemble piece about a young white woman, Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, and her relationship with two black maids during Civil Rights era America in the early 1960s. Skeeter is a journalist who decides to write a controversial book from the point of view of the maids (known as the Help), exposing the racism they are faced with as they work for white families.
  
  Sounder, is a 1972 film starring Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, Kevin Hooks, Carmen Mathews, Taj Mahal, Eric Hooks and Janet MacLachlan. It was adapted by Lonnie Elder III and directed by Martin Ritt from the 1970 Newbery Medal-winning novel Sounder by William H. Armstrong and spawned a sequel, Part 2, Sounder (1976). It is the story of an African-American boy living with his sharecropper family. Although the family's difficulties increase when the father is imprisoned for stealing pork sausages and ham, the boy still hungers for an education. "Sounder", the dog's name, is the only character name used in the book. The author refers to the various characters by their relationship or their role in the story. The setting is also ambiguous. The author notes prisoners were hauled in "mule-drawn wagons", and the mention of chain gangs places an upper limit to the story of 1955 when the practice ended. The boy hears his father may be in Bartow and later Gilmer counties but the author does not specify where the boy lives. Since the boy is assured his father wouldn't be taken out of state, and because the ground freezes, we are left to assume the family lives in the counties around northern Georgia or northwestern South Carolina.
  
  The Tuskegee Airmen(rel. 1995), is the true story of how a group of African American pilots overcame racist opposition to become one of the finest US fighter groups in World War II.
  
  The Pursuit of Happiness, is the story of Chris Gardner(Will Smith), who has big dreams for him and his family, but it doesn't seem to come together for him. Chris has an opportunity to be a stock broker, but first he has to go through a grueling internship which means no pay. Chris decides to do it, but when his wife leaves and he is evicted, he has to take care of his son, Christopher(Jaden Smith), on his own. So they find themselves sometimes living on the street and struggling to get by. But Chris is determined to make it...
  
  HARMONY & HOMINY: Gospel Breakfast & Performance by Jeff Roberson
  
  This event will be catered by the LL Dent Restaurant
  
  February 18, 2012 .......... Saturday 10:30am-12:30pm, Donation: $20
  
  ROBIN MILLER: Artist Reception
  
  February 11, 2012 .......... Tuesday 12pm-4pm
  
  UNVEILING OF THE 34th BLACK HERITAGE STAMP: Honoree - John H. Johnson
  
  >> This event will be streamed LIVE on the Internet at www.theaam.org/heritage.htm
  
  February 16, 2012 .......... Thursday 10am-12pm
  
  CELEBRATING ROOTS: Family Research Presentation
  March 17, 2012 .......... Saturday 6pm-8pm
  
  LAURIE OURLICHT: Artist Reception
  March 24, 2012 .......... Saturday 2pm-5pm
  
  RESTORING MY AFRICAN SOUL - Robin Miller
  September 21, 2011 - March 31, 2012
  The work in this exhibition features African American history quilts the medium is mixed media collage framed. This body of work was created as a way to study and explore our African and African American roots. Robin Miller wanted the community to understand our journey to this place while searching for a truth that would soothe our African soul. Robin Miller is an educator, artist and author.
  
  RETROSPECT - Group Exhibit(LICP Members)
  November 15, 2011 – March 31, 2012
  LAURIE OURLICHT (BORIS OURLICHT)
  
  MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. EXHIBIT- Moneta Sleet
  January 15, 2012 – February 11, 2012
  This exhibit includes photographs of Dr. King., as well as letters and other documents relating to the life of the civil rights leader. Moneta Sleet was awarded the Pulitzer in 1969 for his photograph of Coretta Scott King at her husband’s funeral. The Martin Luther King exhibition is an annual event.
  
  SEEING WITH PHOTOGRAPHY - Group Exhibit(Visually Impaired / Blind Photographers)
  April – June 2012
  The Long Island Center of Photography is a unique organization that offers an array of photography –based programs designed to enrich our community by providing recreational outlets and cultural opportunities. At LICP; accomplished photographers, serious amateurs and beginners can develop and promote their work.
  
  STUDENT JURIED ART SHOW - Hempstead School District
  April 24, 2012 – June 2, 2012
  This juried show is an excellent opportunity for art students to gain recognition for their work from their peers and teachers and for others to view this art through a gallery exhibition. The exhibit will include paintings, drawings, photography and craftwork.
  
  FAMILY PORTRAITS - LICP Competition Winners
  September – November, 2012
  The Long Island Center of Photography is a unique organization that offers an array of photography–based programs designed to enrich our community by providing recreational outlets and cultural opportunities. At LICP, accomplished photographers, serious amateurs and beginners can develop and promote their work.
  
  PINK EXHIBIT (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS) - LICP Group Photo Exhibit
  October 12, 2012
  This exhibit was created to raise awareness and funding for breast cancer. The Long Island Center of Photography is a unique organization that offers an array of photography–based programs designed to enrich our community by providing recreational outlets and cultural opportunities. At LICP, accomplished photographers, serious amateurs and beginners can develop and promote their work.
- » Event Video
- If you missed any of our events that were streamed live on the Internet, we've recorded them and have made them available for your viewing pleasure:
  
  Sherrie Tolliver As: "Rosa Parks"
  
  Sherrie Tolliver joined Women In History in 1994 and has accumulated a rich cadre of characters. Currently, she characterizes Eliza Bryant, Bessie Coleman, Diana Fletcher, Jane Edna Hunter, Harriet Ann Jacobs, Rebecca Cox Jackson, Marie Laveau, Edmonia Lewis, Biddy Mason, Wilma Rudolph, Dr. Susan McKinney Steward, Susie King Taylor, Mary Church Terrell and Valaida Snow, to name a few....Read More
  
  The Crossing™ chronicles and celebrates the Black experience from homeland through the “crossing” to the Americas Experience how music, dance and faith served as their foundation when all else appeared lost...Read More
  
  A Whistle in Mississippi: The LYNCHING of Emmett Till
  
  In 1955, Emmett and his cousin Curtis Jones were sent to visit their great-uncle Mose Wright, who lived in Money, Mississippi. Mamie made sure to instruct Emmett to “mind his manners” when around white people. She knew that race relations in Mississippi were significantly different than those in Chicago...Read More