Cultural dialogue

“During years in community organizations I had the opportunity to implement many service projects. They gave me a chance to interact with numerous individuals of a different race and background. Throughout these projects I felt personally challenged to initiate an avenue whereby people could come together to begin a dialogue on racial issues.

Therefore in December 1997, after learning of a nationally recognized touring exhibition called,“A Slave Ship Speaks:” The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie, on a 20 city tour of the United States, I was able to initiate and lay the foundation for its unprecedented stay from March to July 2000 at the WV State Museum. It depicts the Trans - Atlantic Slave Trade nearly three hundred years ago.

Some racial barriers were eliminated and an avenue for open dialogue was created. There was amazing participation from the WV public schools, corporations, and sourrounding communities. The WV Division of Culture & History reported groups came from in and out of state. To provide an avenue for communication, cultural education with empowerment programs and events, the West Virginia Center for African - American Art & Culture, Inc. was organized in May 2001. “

- Anthony Kinzer