Black history on display

The museum is split into various sections, each covering different figures, time periods and themes in black history.

“The history is not just for African-Americans,” she said. “It’s our shared history as Americans.”

See rusty shackles brought over with slaves. Feel real cotton from Mississippi, watch footage of Obama’s inauguration, learn about black jockeys and soccer players alongside slugger Barry Bonds, footballer Jerry Rice and basketball star Michael Jordan. A full alcove devoted to the arts highlights Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Tyler Perry — even catch a glimpse of MC Hammer’s flashy jacket while learning sobering facts tucked in between: “Blacks couldn’t have their pictures on album covers, only whites.”

Hoskins said she enjoys sharing her collection with people and the historical education it provides, and she’s also motivated to keep the museum going as her own way of pushing back against racism, intolerance and ignorance.

“Kids don’t get this kind of education in schools,” Hoskins said.

For Hoskins, the highlight of her museum is an area devoted to inventions by African-Americans.

As much as Hoskins knows about history now, she’s always learning herself, particularly from visitors. She said the museum has exposed her to numerous people with a story to tell or some connection to black history, including the aunt of Emmitt Till, novelist Mildred Walker and Gwen Morgan, a descendant of Garrett Morgan, who invented the traffic light.

Several displays in the collection pay homage to locals, both past and present, including teachers, judges and police officers. On one table sits a photo and biography of San Mateo native Les Williams, a Tuskegee airman, who served in World War II.

“There are so many people in the San Mateo area and I want their stories told and to share their experience with people,” Hoskins said.

The museum, which has been running in February for more than 20 years, became a registered nonprofit in 2007. It occupies a different location each year, but Hoskins hopes to find a permanent location so she can display her entire collection year-round.

The exhibition currently on display, which fills out the 16,000-square-foot space in a vacant storefront off Chestnut Street, is only about 15 percent of the complete collection.

The museum will host rapper Yo-Yo Feb. 17 from 6 p.m.-7 p.m.; Feb. 22 brings a reception honoring local community organizers, and on Feb. 25, the museum will celebrate Madame C.J. Walker along with free hair care provided by San Carlos-based Hyatt Hair Studio. The museum is free but donations are accepted.

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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