Baton Rouge African American History Museum

Come out and celebrate with us!!

Did you know??

Plank Road is a staple roadway for residents of Baton Rouge. The road is in the North Baton Rouge area and holds a historical significance unknown to many people in the parish. Construction of the road began in 1850 and was built with the forced labor of enslaved people. The name derives from the wooden planks that enslaved people laid for the road.

Plank Road was a major transportation route for sugar cane and slaves. The road connected Baton Rouge to a train depot 30 miles north in Clinton, Louisiana. Currently, there is no historical marker signifying the connection of Plank Road to Slavery. It is not surprising that the enslaved people who were forced to build the road are denied historical recognition. Many southern cities share in the fixed ignorance that ignores Black history and is indicative of the community purposefully overlooking the history of Black Americans.

-"Slavery’s Influence on the Geography of Baton Rouge Today" -Thomas Warring

We're in need of a carpenter who's willing to donate a little time to help with a project.

Every day...just a little bit closer.

Yesterday was the anniversary of my mom's murder. Emotions were all over the place, so I couldn't post anything about it. It's been 5 years now, and the raw pain is still fresh in my heart. Nonetheless, I press forward... because that's what she taught me... "give out, but don't you ever give up. "

Missing her desperately.
Sade Roberts-Joseph 1944-2019
Forever in my heart. ❤️😪

I woke up this morning to a radio interview with Ms Opal Lee. She was a guest of the museum and came down to lead a march with Southern University students in support of Juneteenth. She and I talked for hours about my mom, her work to establish Juneteenth here in Louisiana, and Ms Opal's own work with Juneteenth. It was, truly, an amazing experience and I was blown away by the passion that she possessed. She is truly a National Treasure.
I sent her a text this morning to say thanks. She deserves all of the flowers...and she deserves them NOW!

Here's a sneak preview of some of our progress. New and improved African American Museum is currently loading!!

this is major!!!

Black twin sisters buy Woodland Plantation, site of the largest US uprising of enslaved people Jo Banner and Joy Banner, founders of The Descendants Project, acquired the Woodland Plantation in LaPlace, Louisiana.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's official. We have begun our renovations. We're excited about the upcoming changes and we look forward to bringing BR a new and improved museum!

Stay tuned... this is going to be good!!

So this happened today. I wasn't expecting it, but there were 150 kids!! Great kids, great questions! I love teaching Black History to eager young minds!!

The sisterhood between my mother and Ms Odell Williams gave birth to the African American museum. And now, two Black women, Mayor Sharon Weston Broome (who gave us the building) and C. Denise Marcelle (who fought to get us a sizable allotment from the city government) have come through to ensure that we're able to continue the museum's mission of cultural education.

I said all of this to say:
BLACK WOMEN ARE AMAZING!!!

It's finally here!! Phase one of the big move. Come join us as we transition into our new home!!