A Message From AAMP President & CEO

Greetings!

Happy New Year! 2011 is our time to focus on The African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) and celebrate our 35th Anniversary! I am so grateful to all of our members and other stakeholders who have made it possible for the Museum to reach this important milestone.  Our theme: Honoring Our Legacy, Embracing Our Promise, has been developed with the spirit of Sankofa (from the Akan language of Ghana meaning taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present) guiding our steps. AAMP has had a tremendous 34 years, hosting many greats in literature, art and music that we have created a year of celebration like no other you have seen from this institution. Every month will have an anniversary focused program or exhibit, some reminiscent of our past, others giving an indication of our hope for the future.

Our 35th Anniversary Blue Ribbon Committee is being co-chaired by Denis O’Brien, President & CEO of PECO; Harold Epps, President of PRWT Services, and Thomas Woodward, Pennsylvania Market President of Bank of America. Through their efforts we plan to offer an exciting calendar of activities and programs in this coming year.     

Patience to Raise the Sun opens our 35th Anniversary, providing the artistry in textiles created by courageous and talented women of Haiti. January marks the anniversary of the great and devastating earthquake, and we are humbled and honored to showcase quilts coming out of a country of hope and resilience. I thank Beverly Lomax, philanthropist and quilt artist, Evelyn Smalls of United Bank and Florcy Morrisett of Vivant Gallery for agreeing to serve as our honorary co-chairs for this exhibit.

Of course, our Education Department continues to present incredible programming. What you will see with our calendar, especially the depth in our February programming, will appeal to all visitors. We are especially interested in reaching more families with children, young adults and members of the faith community. Our Family Fun Days scheduled over the weekends continue to amaze. February’s planning is no exception – especially with the one scheduled on Saturday, February 19 with Campbell’s Soup Day in the morning and AME Day in the afternoon. Be sure to keep these days in mind as you plan your visit with us.

Our 35th Anniversary Gala has been moved to Friday, March 11, 2011. Honoring three deserving Philadelphians: our poet laureate Sonia Sanchez, internationally acclaimed artist Moe Brooker and landmark educator Dr. Edward Robinson; this event will also pay tribute to the establishment of the Museum and some of its leading founding members of the Board of Directors. Other exciting features are being finalized, and you will not want to miss this. It all takes place at the Philadelphia Marriott.

Things to look forward to during our 35th include an amazing AAMP-curated exhibit, Free to Be, that looks at African American artists in Paris during the early 20th Century, the return of Jazz ‘til Sunrise as part of a weekend entitled, Paris ‘til Sunday – all in April and part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) activities. Spring continues with a PECO sponsored free weekly evening program from Mid-May to Mid-September entitled, RAAMP It Up Wednesdays, and a 35-hour event featuring a multitude of activities and programs to commemorate our founding day – taking place in June! These are the highlights, but there will be even more things that will all be posted on our website – www.aampmuseum.org.     

Finally, I am grateful to our supporting contributors this quarter, PECO and Exelon Foundation, Comcast Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, Bank of America, Connelly Foundation, and Citizens Bank Foundation. We are forever grateful to State Rep. Dwight Evans for his steadfast support of AAMP. I thank the staff for their on-going commitment, creativity and energy, as we have continued to push to be better and greater. Finally, My appreciation to the best Board of Directors on the planet! Onward and upward!!!!!!!!

Warm Regards

Romona Riscoe Benson
President and CEO