Funding for National Civil Rights Museum and the Withers Collection Museum
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced a $142,362 grant to the National Civil Rights Museum to build the skills of young African American students and frontline staff members to address the lack of minorities in the museum field. Another grant for $24,855 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which was created by Congress in the legislation that authorized building the popular National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall, will go to the Withers Collection Museum and Gallery’s sports collection. The late photojournalist and chronicler of the Civil Rights Movement Ernest C. Withers began shooting players from the Negro Baseball League in 1948 and his collection includes pictures of Jackie Robinson, Samuel “The Jet” Jethroe, Luke Easter and other historic figures never seen by the public.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Memphis’ rich African American history is celebrated in our world renown National Civil Rights Museum and in the photos taken by Ernest Withers. I’m pleased these grants will strengthen both of these important institutions and encourage the public to learn more about them.”
###
