Dear Friends,
I’m excited to bring you greetings as your new museum director. I’ve been serving the people of Arkansas at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center for the past 14 years. While my title has changed, my goal to preserve and celebrate the history and culture of African American Arkansans remains the same. I look forward to continued service and moving our museum forward as we transform and create a new welcoming space for all.
We have a world class, nationally accredited museum right here in our own backyard and the hardest-working team of museum professionals anyone will ever see. As COVID restrictions are lifting and the world is starting to resume normal activity, we are ready to safely enjoy you in our space. There’s so much new to see!
Right now, we are hosting the Smithsonian exhibition "The Negro Motorist Green Book." The exhibit highlights "The Green Book." The book was a resource for Black travelers looking for safe places to eat, sleep and shop. It was also a guide for Black businesses to connect with customers. The exhibit delves into the importance of the guide during its three decades of publication. The collection is filled with gems, including an interactive simulator to allow visitors to experience what African Americans would have encountered traveling the United States during segregation.
Juneteenth is on our heels, and we are ready to celebrate with an amazing virtual line-up of artists, live discussions about community and business, health and art and of course local history and flavor. Our four-day lineup is happening all on Facebook, so don’t miss it!
We just completed the first half of our museum redesign that includes a fresh new look to our museum store, a theatre to greet visitors and a children’s gallery. My team and I can’t wait for you to get the first look at our grand opening this fall.
I want to say thank you to everyone that has supported the museum over the years. I know how important the preservation of Black history and culture is to you. We are at a critical point, a crossroads for the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. We are in the middle of a campaign to raise $1.3 million to finalize our new exhibits. We can’t move forward without your support. Every dollar helps. Your contributions will allow us to share African American history with the world. Please visit our donation webpage to support us.
It’s an exciting time here at the museum. A lot of change and growth is happening. I look forward to the hard work of continuing to create a space of excellence, character and resilience for years to come.
Until Next Time. Stay Keyed IN!
Quantia “Key” M. Fletcher
Your director