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'We want to be able to continue': South Sacramento museum at risk of shutting down

'We want to be able to continue': South Sacramento museum at risk of shutting down
TO STEP UP TO HELP KEEP IT OPEN. NEARLY 30 YEARS AGO, SHAWNA MCDANIELS OPENED THE SOJOURNER TRUTH AFRICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM WITH THE HOPE OF BRINGING ART AND CULTURE TO PEOPLE IN SOUTH SACRAMENTO. WE ARE A COMMUNITY BASED MUSEUM. OVER THE YEARS, IT’S BECOME A CREATIVE SPACE FOR LOCAL ARTISTS AND A VITAL RESOURCE FOR SENIORS AND YOUTH. WE FEED THE SENIORS. WE PROVIDE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUTH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. ALL OF IT IS DONE THROUGH THE CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO CULTIVATE THE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT THROUGH ARTS AND CULTURE AND TRADITION AND HERITAGE. NOW ITS FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN. WE HAVEN’T BEEN GETTING ANY FUNDING THROUGH GRANTS. WITHOUT THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR RENT, STAFF AND PROGRAMS, MCDANIEL SAYS THEY WILL HAVE TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE EARLY NEXT YEAR. UNDERSTANDING YOU KNOW ANOTHER PERSON’S HISTORY, ANOTHER PERSON’S CULTURE. IT JUST CONNECTS EVERYONE AND BUILDS STRENGTH TO SAVE THE MUSEUM, MCDANIELS ORGANIZED EVENTS TO RAISE MONEY. HOWEVER, HER HOPE IS THE CITY STEPS UP TO HELP. WE’RE HOPING FOR 2025 THAT, YOU KNOW, FUNDING FOR US COULD BE A LITTLE BIT MORE IMPACTFUL, AND WE CONTACTED COUNCIL MEMBER KATIE MAPLE, WHO REPRESENTS THE DISTRICT WHERE THE MUSEUM IS LOCATED. HER OFFICE TELLS US THEY’RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE AND PERMANENT SPACE FOR THE MUSEUM.
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'We want to be able to continue': South Sacramento museum at risk of shutting down
Nearly 30 years ago, Shonna McDaniels opened the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum with the hope of bringing art and culture to people in south Sacramento. "We are a community-based museum," said McDaniels.Over the years, it’s become a creative space for local artists and a vital resource for seniors and youth. "We feed the seniors, we provide workforce development for youth and entrepreneurship," said McDaniels. After not receiving grant funds last year, McDaniels said the museum’s future is uncertain. "We want to be able to continue to cultivate the mind, body, spirit through arts and culture and tradition and heritage,” said McDaniels. Without funds to pay for rent, staff and programs, McDaniels said they will have to permanently close early next year. To save the museum, McDaniels organized events to raise money, however, she hopes the city steps up to help. "We're hoping for 2025 that funding for us could be a little bit more impactful," said McDaniels.KCRA 3 contacted councilmember Caity Maple, who represents the district where the museum is located. Her office said they're working closely with the museum to find an affordable and permanent space for them."Understanding another person's history, another person's culture, it just connects everyone and builds strength," said McDaniels.McDaniels has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the museum. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

Nearly 30 years ago, Shonna McDaniels opened the Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum with the hope of bringing art and culture to people in south Sacramento.

"We are a community-based museum," said McDaniels.

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Over the years, it’s become a creative space for local artists and a vital resource for seniors and youth.

"We feed the seniors, we provide workforce development for youth and entrepreneurship," said McDaniels.

After not receiving grant funds last year, McDaniels said the museum’s future is uncertain.

"We want to be able to continue to cultivate the mind, body, spirit through arts and culture and tradition and heritage,” said McDaniels.

Without funds to pay for rent, staff and programs, McDaniels said they will have to permanently close early next year.

To save the museum, McDaniels organized events to raise money, however, she hopes the city steps up to help.

"We're hoping for 2025 that funding for us could be a little bit more impactful," said McDaniels.

KCRA 3 contacted councilmember Caity Maple, who represents the district where the museum is located. Her office said they're working closely with the museum to find an affordable and permanent space for them.

"Understanding another person's history, another person's culture, it just connects everyone and builds strength," said McDaniels.

McDaniels has set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the museum.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter