African American Sports Museum

About

The goal of the African American Sports Museum of Atlanta (AAS Museum) is to chronicle the history and accomplishments of African Americans in sports and its affects on their culture before and after Jackie Robinson's acceptance into Major League Baseball. Unfortunately, little is known by the general public about the business of sports during segregation within the United States.We will be using all types of media including, but not limited to photos, publications, videos, uniforms, equipment and posters from 1900 to the present. We intend to educate the general public on lost legends and forgotten heroes in baseball, boxing, horse racing, track and field, etc. Additionally the exhibits will also include facts on the economics of the period, and the difference in income/life between African American athletes and non-athletes.Important events such as Jessie Owens winning four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics, and Joe Louis defeat of Max Schmeling in the 1940's helped to build the pride and the morale of African Americans as well as the overall population of the United States. This along with many other key events helped the US become the "winners" in WWII, and the protectors of freedom around the world. Additionally, it is important to note that the integration of Major League Baseball by Jackie Robinson was key to the success of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement that followed.The Museum will be open to the general public with 95% of the activity being displays of the aforementioned media, and about 5% of the time we will have guest speakers ( experts on African Americans in sports) visit the museum to answer questions and share the history through stories and narration.