The Thankful Heritage Black History Museum will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Feb. 9 with an exhibit and special presentation at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 1212 N. Dunleith Ave.
Thankful Heritage owner Effley Howell Sr. will display his collection of more than 500 pieces of black history memorabilia from noon-6 p.m. “The Wall of History” is the theme of the event. It will feature pieces that show the progression of local race relations. Howell hopes his memorabilia will help to build bridges and end divisions.
Howell
“I have come to realize that my purpose and my talent (is) to help to improve race relations in the state of North Carolina,” he said. “(It) is what I was put on this earth to do.”
Thankful Heritage, a non-profit tax exempt organization that operates through the aid of grants and donations, has already been awarded the Nancy Susan Reynolds Award from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation for improving race relations. Howell has also received a prestigious ECHO (Everyone Can Help Out) Award and a grant from the Winston-Salem Foundation for his work.
Admission to the exhibit is free with the donation of a canned good to aid the New Jerusalem MBC food pantry. For more information, contact Effley Howell at 336-995-5146 or thankfulone2@aol.com.
