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Facing Forward at The Griot Museum of Black History

By Erika Neal, Deputy Director, The Griot Museum of Black History

It’s been a year since last year’s museum conference, and yet it seems like yesterday. We left the conference excited and bursting with ideas, several of which we have incorporated to our visitor experience. We poured out a list of ideas we could implement. Some immediately, on a "shoestring" budget, and some that were more elaborate.

One which has taken on a life of its own is our protest sign project.  At stations near our Civil Rights gallery, visitors can create their own protest signs.  We launched the project in conjunction with our annual "Sweet Dreams Cake Challenge," to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday.  This year was special with the election of President Barack Obama, so our visitors also create victory signs.  Our walls are growing with artful signs that relay meaningful messages like "Know Justice, Know Peace." They give voice to the struggles and sacrifices of our past and hope for our future.  Guests may take their signs with them, or leave them with us.  Each sign has basic information on the museum, so it becomes a keepsake and marketing tool.

A few other ideas we implemented included establishment of our Educators Advisory Committee.  This group, comprised of public, private, city, county, retired, charter and current educators, is focused on developing the Griot's education programs.  They are helping us develop curriculum and lesson plans that meet state standards and grade level expectations.  One of the members has committed one of her classes for an entire year to use the Griot to complement their social studies curriculum! This group spearheaded another idea, "The Apple of Our Eye," an open house for educators.

"The Apple of Our Eye" was a great success, attracting educators from a variety of schools, many whom who had never been to the Griot.  Educators received information on the Griot, discounts for scheduling tours, and were asked to become "Educator Ambassadors." Several committed to do so.  We decorated the Griot in classroom motif, provided gifts teachers could use with their students, and school snacks like miniature peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cucumber and cream cheese, mini pizzas and of course—apples!  All of the gifts had stickers on them with a "thank you" and Griot information to mark the day.  Everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves, and we are certain that word-of-mouth marketing has been in full effect.

We also launched our website, www.thegriotmuseum.com!  I was able to secure the services of a former Microsoft engineer who handles the layout and agreed to serve as webmaster—at no cost!  The first phase of the site features information on the Griot, group tour information and special events.  We will be working with one of our Educator Advisory Committee members who teach media technology.  He has committed his students to working on the next phase of the website to include expanded pages for educators, members, the board, volunteers and e-commerce.

As we "Face Forward," we'll launch a quilt square project where visitors can learn about the signs and symbols of the Underground Railroad and create a quilt square.  Ideally, this will germinate to our own quilting guild that engages family and friends in creative, meaningful and entertaining experiences.

In retrospect, it has been a year filled with challenges, accomplishments, and renewed energy to forge ahead with more exciting projects that help us accomplish our mission.

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