To strive for and maintain unity in the family,
community, nation and race
Umoja
Self Determination
Kujichagulia
Collective Work and Responsibility
Ujima
Cooperative Economics
Ujamma
Purpose
Nia
Creativity
Kuumba
Faith
Imani
read this postnonprofit organization charted by the Education Department of the State of New York for the
purpose of providing history, arts and cultural educational programs and services by collecting,
documenting, disseminating, celebrating and exhibiting the rich history, culture, arts and
sciences of International Black & African peoples. Initially named The Genesis Museum is now
The Harlem International Museum
of Black History & Culture
read this post“If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition; it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”
- Dr. CARTER G. WOODSON, Father of Black History
Welcome to Harlem Museum
by Donald Clayton
Andi Owens, Co-Founder
In Loving Memory of Andi Owens
Andi Owens’ exuberant spirit, deep dedication to Black history, and passionate pursuit of his dream to create a home for his remarkable collection of African and African American art, history, and memorabilia will live on far beyond his 96 years on this earth.
Over the years, a call from Andi meant an update on his progress toward building that dream—a home for The Museum. And because his life was long and full, those updates were a wonderful roller coaster of efforts—some of them quite successful.
When Andi’s Genesis II Museum of International Black Culture was housed on the campus of City College, it became a beautiful gathering space for students and community groups. It was even the site of my 1982 wedding celebration to the phenomenal Egyptologist and art historian, Jules Taylor. Later, when the Museum found a home in a brownstone on Striver’s Row, it anchored educational events for local schoolchildren and church communities alike.
The continuing collaboration between Andi and his dear friend Donald Clayton brought new life to the vision of a permanent institution in Central Harlem—a dream we still hope and pray will manifest, by God’s grace, in honor of our most esteemed Ancestor, Mr. Andi Owens.
God bless you, Andi.
With love,
Lonnetta Gaines
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