VISIBLE, VITAL & VALUABLE WHY A BLACK NEW MEXICAN MUSEUM IS A NECESSITY

Back in 2002, Brenda Dabney (of the African American Catholic Community) and Rita Powdrell (of Mr. Powdrell’s Barbecue House) joined 60 invested folk to build the nonprofit African American Museum and Cultural Center of New Mexico. Its mission statement highlighted the need to increase awareness of Black New Mexicans’ many historical contributions. State Representatives Pamelya Herndon and Jane Powdrell-Culbert recently spurred momentum to get a brick-and-mortar building for the museum. Meanwhile, its traveling exhibits have been all around New Mexico under Brenda and Rita’s stewardship. Rita states plainly, “It’s important that our young people see themselves on the walls of museums throughout this state. We have been instrumental in New Mexico’s history, from Buffalo Soldiers, to the railroads, to mining. Often, we’re hit with, ‘Oh, you’re just 3%.’ But being 3%, this state in 1925 segregated its schools. So, obviously 3% was perceived as enough of a threat to separate us from the general population of New Mexico.”

“Our mantra was ‘visible, vital, and valuable,’” Brenda states. “Today, we’re in the same boat as this whole country. [Tyre Nichols’ recent death] touched all our souls. It’s 2023 and the Civil Rights Bill was signed in 1964. It’s an uphill fight but we haven’t been given the justice that we are due in this country. So, we are going to continue the fight.”

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