Recognizing the Sojourner Truth African American Heritage Museum

Floor Speech

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Sojourner Truth African American Heritage Museum for contributing to Sacramento's rich history. Since 1996, the museum has served as an institution dedicated to community education, and the celebration of African American art, history, and culture.

The Sojourner Truth African American Heritage Museum honors the legacy of Sojourner Truth, not only by dedicating exhibits to her life and work, but also by enriching and empowering community members in the spirit of her activism. The Museum showcases a timeline of African American history, spanning across thousands of years from 14th century African kings to modern day icons. Exhibitions also honor innovators and their contributions to American culture by exploring topics such as Black Cowboys, Black Inventors, the Harlem Renaissance, and Black Millionaires. Sacramento's history is brilliantly displayed and highlights the reconstruction of Dunlap's Dining Room, Sacramento's first African American-owned restaurant and the Dana Maeshia Wall Library and Media Station, commemorating local hero Dana Maeshia, who served her community in life with literacy programs for African American children.

The Museum also hosts a variety of programs and workshops that invite community members to explore artistic interests and engage in skill development. Some of these programs foster youth personal and professional development, such as the After-School Mentorship Program and the Youth Entrepreneurial Development Program. The Youth Docent Program, a recent 2021 addition, hosts seven students in paid positions, offering them the opportunity to foster community outreach and visitor engagement skills.

Mr. Speaker, today we honor the Sojourner Truth African American Heritage Museum for educating and enriching the Sacramento community, and I thank Founder and Director, Shonna McDaniels, as well as the Museum's partners for making the continued success of this institution possible for the Sacramento region.

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