Our Goal
The goal of the African American Sports
Museum of Atlanta (AAS Museum) is to chronicle the history and
accomplishments of African Americans in sports and its affects on their
culture before and after Jackie Robinson’s acceptance into Major League
Baseball. Unfortunately, little is known by the general public about
the business of sports during segregation within the United States.
We will be using all types of media including, but not limited to photos,
publications, videos, uniforms, equipment and posters from 1900 to the present.
We intend to educate the general public on lost legends and forgotten heroes in
baseball, boxing, horse racing, track and field, etc. Additionally the exhibits
will also include facts on the economics of the period, and the difference in
income/life between African American athletes and non-athletes.
Important events such as Jessie Owens winning four gold medals in the 1936
Olympics, and Joe Louis defeat of Max Schmeling in the 1940's helped to build
the pride and the morale of African Americans as well as the overall population
of the United States. This along with many other key events helped the US become
the "winners" in WWII, and the protectors of freedom around the world.
Additionally, it is important to note that the integration of Major League
Baseball by Jackie Robinson was key to the success of Dr. Martin Luther King and
the Civil Rights Movement that followed.
The Museum will be open to the general public with 95% of the activity being
displays of the aforementioned media, and about 5% of the time we will have
guest speakers ( experts on African Americans in sports) visit the museum to
answer questions and share the history through stories and narration. |