America I Am Exhibit Comes to Cincinnati

America I AM: The African American Imprint is a touring museum exhibition celebrating nearly 500 years of African American contributions to the nation through artifacts, documents, multimedia, photos and music. It will open at the Cincinnati Museum Center June 19 and run through January 2, 2011. 
 
The exhibition endeavors to bring together Americans of all cultures, ages, and backgrounds to celebrate and further understand the indelible African American imprint on this country.

Twelve galleries encompassing about 13,000 square feet take visitors through a journey from struggle to triumph to celebration.
 
The exhibition includes more than 200 artifacts including:
·  the doors to the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana (Doors of No Return)
·   Alex Haley’s typewriter used to write Roots
·  personal effects of Malcolm X
·  the door key and stool from the Birmingham jail cell that held Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
·  sports memorabilia from Michael Jordan, Arthur Ashe and Muhammad Ali
·  items from entertainers such as Etta James, Michael Jackson and Prince
 
The exhibition was developed in partnership with Tavis Smiley and organized by Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI) and the Cincinnati Museum Center.

John Fleming, president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and director emeritus of Museums, the Cincinnati Museum Center, is executive producer.

America I AM is made possible by its proud sponsor, Walmart Stores, Inc.  Northern Trust is the exhibition’s educational partner, and Microsoft is the technology partner for the tour.