Black History Exhibit

Hi everyone, please help me bring this beautiful project to life:

A Black History Exhibit that honors Voices of the African Diaspora from over the world, not as well known as Martin Luther King Jr. or Nelson Mandela, and that spotlight Black artists.


Who am I?
Photo credit:Kathryn Marie Photography 

My name is NJ Mvondo; I’m a writer, artist and community organizer based in Davis, CA. In 2009 I created a platform called Multiculturalism Rocks!, through which I share resources that promote cultural diversity, with an emphasis on children’s literature. I do events with schools, public libraries and various non-profits.

The project’s amazing  partners:


1- Graphic designer, based in Davis, CA, Tony Tran. Tony’s work focuses on LGBTQ and IPOC narratives.


Credit: Kristen Murakoshi

2-Robert Liu-Trujillo is the author and illustrator of Furqan’s First Flat Top, and a co-founder of The Trust Your Struggle Collective , a contributor to The Social Justice Childrens Bk Holiday Fair, The Bull Horn Blog, Rad Dad,  Muphoric Sounds, and the founder of Come Bien Books .

Credit: Maurice Moore’s website.

3- Maurice Moore  is a doctoral student in Performance Arts at UC Davis, who just shared his most recent, acclaimed series, Drawing While Black: a Black Boy Joy, at the International House in Davis. ”My pieces extrapolates theories both from queer of color critique and Black foodways, synthesizing different dialects of an innovative visual language. “ - MM


4- Shonna McDaniels is an acclaimed visual artist and community activist who envisioned an institution to preserve Black history and celebrate the accomplishments of African American people and their legacy. As a result she founded the Sojourner Truth African American Museum In Sacramento.


Locations (and partners)

1- The Mary L. Stephens - Davis Branch Library, 315 E 14th St, Davis, CA 95616:
Displays inside the library (display cases) + printed artwork with biographies in the community room.

2- The Arthur F. Turner Community Library, 1212 Merkley Ave, West Sacramento, CA 95691:
Displays at the library’s entrance.

3- Breakfast restaurant Delta of Venus, 122 B Street, Davis, CA:
Artwork, and they will host an African Night on February 14 for the artists and the community.

About the Project

The goal is:

1- To help the community be better acquainted with African and African American history, through the celebration of people -not as well known as our beloved Harriet Tubman or Malcom X (just to quote a few), who significantly contributed to the fight against racism, to Black liberation, and to the celebration of Black identity.
2- Spotlight Black artists.

Frantz Fanon (1925-1961, Martinique. Writer, psychiatrist, freedom fighter). 1/2 of a portrait that will be shown (GoFundMe has a size limit for pictures, so we can’t show the whole thing).

Campaign cover picture is artwork honoring South African singer, songwriter, actress and activist Miriam Makeba (1932-2008).


Who Will Benefit
Everyone, including schools. The event is FREE to attend, and the public library has free materials available for further interest in the persons celebrated.

How Will the Funds Be Used?
The funds will cover the costs needed to get the exhibit off the ground:
- Prints of the artwork that won’t be in a display case (prints so the original pieces won’t be damaged), prints for the biographies.
- Frames (i made several myself to save money, thanks to a local school’s wood donation)
- Gas

How Soon Do We Need the Funds?
As quickly as they will be available. The exhibit will officially launch on Friday, February 14, 2020.

Gratitude
Trust that your support will make a big difference in the community.

Thank you, and best wishes for 2020!