The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, will officially open the exhibition, “Shackles” on Friday, February 3, 2012 at the Black History Museum. The exhibition is designed to give youth a voice and to create opportunities for dialogue about slavery and its impact. The exhibition will have four components: ‘African Pasts—Current Connections,’ ‘The Door of No Return,’ ‘Emancipation,’ and ‘Find a Way—Or Make One.’

The new exhibition is part of the Young History Makers Project, a partnership between the Black History Museum and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond designed to give local youth an understanding of Richmond’s African American history and the important lessons it can offer. In 2011, Young History Makers completed a video documentary, “Making History Right Now.” As a result, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond’s West End / Teen Center Club was awarded the State Honor Award for Program Excellence in the area of The Arts.
“Shackles” will be on display through June 30, 2012. In honor of the exhibition, youth showing a current Boys and Girls Club membership card will receive free admission to the exhibition through June 30.

The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia presents the complex experiences of the peoples of Africa and the African Diaspora, with an emphasis on Virginians, by collecting, preserving, and interpreting historical and cultural artifacts.

The Museum is open daily, Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors/students, and $3 for children 12 and under; members are free.

For more information, call 804-780-9093 or fax to 804-780-9107.
www.blackhistorymuseum.org