Mobile SANKOFA museum shows struggles of blacks in America

Pictures of inventions, famous blacks, brutal lynchings and other historical items significant to the black race lined tables in the Mocha Room of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union from Feb. 11-12.
According to a university press release, “SANKOFA’s journey encompasses the period from 1860 to the present.” In addition, “the exhibit focuses on the contributions of Ida B. Wells, the Negro Baseball League, the Tuskegee Airmen and the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Angela Jennings is the sole owner and curator of the SANKOFA African-American Museum on Wheels, which has been in operation since 1995. Jennings started her collection in Denmark, S.C., and said her inspiration was teaching her unaware nephew about his culture and heritage.
Outside of this reason Jennings said, “I want to teach not only African-Americans, but also other cultures about the history of African-Americans.”
Jennings presents stories and dramatizations about selected historical figures and periods. In addition, she has had the opportunity to travel to the United States, Virgin Islands, West Africa and Europe to attain pieces of artwork.
SANKOFA, the namesake of the museum, is a Ghanian term that means “to use the wisdom of the past to build the future.”
A member of the Southern University staff said that the exhibit was insightful to the struggle of blacks in America.
“This is our heritage, and it opens our eyes to how far we have come as a people,” said Juanita Davis, receptionist for the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.
Students also expressed experiencing the museum as eye opening and academically stimulating.
Tristian Mitchell, a junior criminal justice major from Bastrop, said, “This exhibit was very intriguing, very educational and also thought awakening.”
He was joined by another student, sophomore business major Cameron Brown from Bastrop, who stated, “This was quite educational, interesting and many things that I have not seen before.”
Jennings expressed profound pride in her collection and was glad for the opportunity to be at the university. “I want to thank Southern for the opportunity to share this with the Southern University family.”