Black Meetings and Tourism

March/April 2010

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BY PATRICIA ANN JORDAN AFRICAN AMERICAN FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM AND MORE financially. I am excited! Culturally, take a look at some places you and your family members can experience: I THE AFRICAN AMERICAN FIREFIGHTER’S MUSEUM The mission of the African American Firefighter Museum (AAFFM) is to collect, conserve and share the heritage of our pioneering African-Americans in the fire service. AAFFM opened its doors as a Museum on December 13, 1997. The dedication of the Museum also served as the acknowledge- ment of what was believed to be the city’s first 100 years of service by African-American Firefighters (1897-1997). It stands as the first and so far the only free standing African- American Firefighter Museum in the United States. The first floor contains vintage fire apparatus, stories and pictures of pioneering African-American Los Angeles Firefighters. The second floor museum gallery houses pictures, artifacts and other memorabilia of African-American Firefighters, Captains, Chief Officers and historical women fire service professionals from around the country. There is a memorial tribute to the firefighters that perished during the 9/11 attack. AAFFM is open to the public, strictly volunteer/donation driven, and available to hosts events, meetings, luncheons, dinners, banquets, book signings, film viewings, jazz festivals, receptions, retreats plus more. Its beloved historian, 91-year- old retired firefighter Arnett Hartsfield, is their most cher- ished volunteer. As a Los Angeles Firefighter during the 1940s and ‘50s he led the integration of the Los Angeles Fire Department. As a graduate of USC’s school of law, he and his fellow firemen known as the Stentorians, the NAACP and the local community were instrumental in successfully integrating the LAFD. The stories of the men that endured this horrific fight are told by him and museum docents. More info: www.aaffmuseum.org or 213-744-1430 WINDOWS INTO DC “Windows into DC” is a creative public art installation in the windows of the Walter E. Washington Convention extend 2010 Greetings to my ever faithful readers. This new year brings with it an expectancy of new beginnings spiritually, emotionally, culturally and Center. Fourteen local artists including the New Community for Children created themed art works for the first-of-its- kind exhibit that energizes select storefronts and windows at the Convention Center in downtown DC. Sponsored by the Washington Convention Center Authority and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, “Windows into DC” brings diverse artists, including a group of students from Shaw’s New Community for Children, to paint windows and install artworks with cre- ative expression for and about the city. Local DC and Shaw community artists filled a dozen spaces around the outside of the Convention Center with scenes depicting their visions of DC. Convention Center visitors can pick up a walking tour guide for “Windows into DC” at the information desk locat- ed in the Grand Lobby. The installation will be open through March 2010. More info: www.dcconvention.com THE BEULAH RUCKER MUSEUM Beulah Rucker Oliver lived from 1888-1963. She was born in Banks County Georgia to Caroline Wiley and Willis Rucker. One of eight children born to the share- croppers, Ms. Rucker knew from a little girl that she wanted to be a teacher and devoted her life to that desire. She attended school in a small wooden church in Banks County called Neal’s Grove. Then attended Jeruel High School in Athens Georgia and Knox Institute. During her senior year at Knox Institute, she began to have dreams and visions of establishing a school for her race. After graduating from Knox Institute with honors on May 28, 1909, the vision to establish a school never subsided, and in 1911, the Beulah Rucker Industrial School was estab- lished to provide African-American children with an ele- mentary education. The Educational Foundation and Museum of Beulah Rucker Inc. recognizes and memorialize the life and work of Rucker, and increases public awareness of her educa- tional, religious, economic, social, and civic activities, which greatly enhanced the quality of life within the Gainesville/Hall County Community. More info: www.beularucker.org or (404) 401-6589 Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 13

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