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Brief history of Grandmothers Who Help, Inc.:
Mission Statement: Inspired by the storytellers of
Ancient Africa and motivated by the efforts of Dr. Carter G. Woodson the
mission of this organization is to educate the masses about the history of
African American People: By bringing a complete educational exhibit into
educational environments to expose, enlighten and educate children and adults
of all ages and all walks of life. To help transform the problems of prejudice into the promise
of Unity.
In 1996, after visiting her granddaughter’s elementary school; Asale
Kimaada Founder of Grandmothers Who Help, Inc., realized that there was a lack
of adequate Black History programs within the public school system. From that
point, she set out to dedicate her time and talents to bring about a change.
Early on, Asale realized that a part of the problem was the absence of
resources which the schools utilized. So, she created an organization called,
“Grandmothers Who Help (GWH)”, and began to produce a “Traveling Black History
Exhibit”. African American History From Antiquity to Present Times.
Her two daughters helped with this vision, her youngest daughter Kimella
Collins, help with research and development, while her oldest daughter Charise
Collins-Hinton, supplied the materials and computer equipment necessary to
assembly the exhibit. This venture was created with private personal funds.
After advertizing and sponsoring free presentations, we began to request
a small honorarium from the schools and organizations who booked our
exhibit. Our organization has
managed to build a valuable multi-media exhibit that contains over 200
pictures, children’s, books, adult books musical instruments and artifacts. GWH
sponsor‘s essay and art contest, as well as producing a yearly student news
letter, (Student F.Y.I) generated during presentations at various venues. We
ask for donations from community business to be able to award prizes to the
children who enter in the essay and art contests.
Over the span of ten years, GWH has enriched Black History Month for
student and adults in over a hundred elementary, middle schools, and high
schools and colleges throughout Northern and Southern California. Unexpectedly,
the popularity of the exhibit grew quickly and began to expand outside the
barriers of schools into other areas. Invitations began to flow in from
libraries, churches, universities, hospitals, city sponsored events and
Juneteenth celebrations some were paid some were not however we went. In 2004
GWH applied for a non-profit status and it was granted in 2006.
Over the years, Asale has constantly
strived to upgrade the exhibit with new books, more and larger photos with
bios, and a variety of programming.
This is the reason the exhibit can transform any room into a mini
museum.
In 2005 the exhibit was expanded to include pictures and bios of Great Africans during antiquity. In 2007 two additional people were added to help present the exhibit. A musician came on board, a saxophone player; each presentation now begins with the National Negro Anthem. Also a retired school teacher brings the human experience of growing up in the South during the Jim Crow era. Parents share their experience growing up in other countries. We always allow time for student and teacher questions and answers.
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