H Marks the Spot

Houston Museum of African American Culture

Circa 1999

HOUSTON MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE, LOCATED AT 4807 CAROLINE

STREET, serves as a cultural portal where histories and contemporary experiences converge to acknowledge and expand the African American experience. These interactions help us come together to build a common future. The HMAAC invites and engages its visitors of all races, cultures and ages through discovery-driven education. The museum provides a valuable information source for all as it continues to collect, conserve, explore and exhibit the intellectual culture of Africans and the African American experience from the state of Texas and throughout the entire Southwest region of America.

The current exhibits on display are: Souls of

Black Folks, Metamorphosis, Curator Corner and the 2020 Bert Long Jr. Gallery. In recognition of his support of local artists, HMAAC has dedicated a gallery in Long’s name to allow the museum to annually exhibit the work of four artists working in the Greater Houston area. By creating this platform, HMAAC offers our community the opportunity to experience some of the best and most compelling of Houston’s visual artists. Until his death in 2013, Long was one of the brightest lights in the Houston arts community. Year six winners include: Cedric Ingram, Melissa Aytenfisu, Sanah Brown-Bowers and Colby Deal. You can find Colby Deal’s artwork currently available on display.

The museum is open Friday and Saturday (11 am – 6 pm) and is always free of charge. Be sure to call in advance for larger groups as they can only accommodate groups up to 25 people due to Covid. Tours last about 45-60 minutes and are designed to encourage a deeper engagement with the exhibitions and enhance the knowledge of the arts, history and culture of the community. —Matthew Abernathy

Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Support through financial and in-kind contributions ensures the museum will be sustained for future generations to enjoy. HMAAC welcomes sponsorships from small businesses and corporations interested in community empowerment, arts and culture, diversity and inclusion, racial reconciliation and more. For more information on in-kind donations and sponsorships, call 713-526-1015 or email, info@hmaac.org. For information on becoming an organizational member, please email membership@hmaac.org.