Lansing resident Willie Davis Jr. talks about the value of showing urban areas in Africa on June 29, 2016 at The All Around the African World Museum and Resource Center in Lansing Mich. The photos shown are part of the Africans in Africa exhibit.
"I had the opportunity to travel around the world, and I took pictures, especially of African presence in different continents," Davis said. "I thought instead of putting them in picture books for myself, why not put them in the form of a museum."
In the museum gives a sensation to literally follow the African culture around the world.
"Culture follows throughout the museum, here there is a room for each continent," Davis said. "For example in the room of Africa, in reference to the pyramids, ancient African religion, and current facts about African."
This museum made sure not to limit the African culture to just the continent of Africa, this museum has a room representing African culture in Europe, Asia, China, India and even Australia.
"In the room of Europe there's pictures representing the black queen of England, the room for Asia has Alexander Pushkin, and Chinese or Australian people who are black that are not shown to the world, and there are also black dancers featured from the Australian culture." Davis said.
African Culture is not just shown in foreign countries, Davis made sure to show how Africa has impacted America as well.
"There are also American, South, Central and North American black artifacts as well as history and inventions," Davis said.
This museum also host exhibits throughout the year for visitors. The events can be featured for holidays that are important in the African or African American community or just exhibits to educate visitors on important African history.
"We celebrate visitor in your own town every year, which is a major event for us, we do special events for Kwanzaa as well," Davis said. "We're in the process of working on the museum's 16th anniversary, we will most likely have an exhibit for Marcus Garvey's Birthday as the celebration."
Entry into the museum and few the exhibits is free, only donations are taken. The website is under construction, but will be available to the public soon. To view the museum, is usually set up by appointment any day of the week, but walk-ins are welcomed.
