"This Museum will tell the American story through the lens of African American history and culture. This is America's story, and this museum is for all Americans." – Lonnie G. Bunch III, Founding Director, NMAAHC
On Tuesday, December 2, we’re taking another step in our Civil Rights Learning Journeys series. While past journeys have focused on histories rooted in regional enclaves, this day will paint a larger picture of the roots, struggles, and achievements of Black people. Beginning with a classroom discussion led by Dr. Sharita Jacobs and Dr. Bernard Demczuk at the John A. Wilson Building, followed by an afternoon curated tour of the National Museum of African American History & Heritage, we aim to explore the history and culture of African Americans and apply this knowledge to a deeper understanding of leadership in the long and ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy in America – and here in Washington, DC.
We believe that knowledge of the history of African Americans, as told through the NMAAHC exhibits, will enlighten participants to the sociological impact of human souls who were once—and sometimes still are—treated in ways unspeakable, and enhance their abilities as leaders in the communities they serve.
Itinerary:
7:00 – 9:30am: Classroom Discussion at John A. Wilson Building
- Coffee & networking
- Dr. Bernard Demczuk: Black History & Culture in Washington, DC
- Dr. Sharita Jacobs: Post-Civil War Black History & Culture
9:30am – 3:00pm: Curated Tour of NMAAHC
- Guided Tour of the History Galleries
- Complimentary Lunch at Sweet Home Café & Discussion of African American Foodways
- Guided Tour of the Culture and Community Galleries
- Debriefing: Takeaways and How to Apply New Knowledge
Note: As of October 11, the National Museum of African American History & Culture is temporarily closed due to the federal government shutdown. We have every hope that the museum will be reopened in time for our event and will keep registrants updated on any new developments.
Speaker Bios:
Sharita Jacobs is a Professor in the Social Sciences Department at Prince George’s Community College. She is a former Assistant Professor of Civil War Era Studies and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College.
Jacobs provides training to police departments across the country. She teaches a course titled The History of Policing in African American Communities (which includes a curated tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture). She works with the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department. Jacobs has also trained the Command Staff of the Los Angeles Police Department; trainers and recruits at the Criminal Justice Training Commission in Seattle, Washington; recruits of the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigations; recruits of the Louisville, Kentucky Police Department, senior officers of the United States Capitol Police; officers on behalf of Maryland-based police departments in the City of Hyattsville; the Town of Cheverly; the City of Greenbelt, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County.
Bernard Demczuk, Ph.D. is a 40-year+ DC resident living in the historic Shaw community. He is active in community, corporate, academic, labor, and government relations. Bernard retired from DC Government in 1998 and again in 2017 from George Washington University after 19 years of service as a vice president and a professor. He is currently an African American Cultural Historian at the University of District Columbia, the NMAAHC, the DC Police Academy, and Ben’s Chili Bowl.
Bernard holds a doctorate in American Studies and African American history and culture from George Washington University (BS, University of Maryland, MS, American University). He has taught African American history and culture at the DCPS School Without Walls for 13 years and is the faculty advisor of the GW Williams House (The Black House) at GW. He lectures frequently on DC Black history and culture in the DC government and for community and corporate groups. He is Ben’s Chili Bowl’s historian and the resident historian of the Howard Theatre.