History of B-ISM, Inc.
History of the Black Inventors Exhibitions
The collection and display of artifacts today known as 'The Black Inventions Museum' began in the late 1980's during Prof. Umar Shabazz Bey's science classes at The Marcus Garvey Schools in Los Angeles, California.
Brother Umar required all of his Junior High Science students to report on an individual who had made a major contribution to the world of science through inventions.
On the day of each child's demonstration, Brother Umar would introduced another artifact to the classroom display of inventions. The rest is history.
Our most popular exhibition, The Black Inventions Museum, formed a board of directors headed by Mr. Joseph N. Jackson , Mr. Joe Edmonds and Ms. Veronica Shealy.
In 1993, The Black Inventions Museum, Inc. was officially founded as a non-profit corporation . With Valerie Robinson-Shealy promoted as the new curator, The Black Inventions Museum, Inc. was established to raise funding for a permanent Black Inventions Museum in the Los Angeles area. One that could serve as the first of many technologically advanced cultural learning centers thoughout the country and the global diaspora.
One of the goals of BISM, Inc. is the manifestation of this institution and its duplication.
From its humble beginnings in the classroom and apperances at local civic events, to its first national exposure touring major U.S. citites with the Black Expo USA, Starting at the New Orleans Convention Center in November 1992, the Black Inventors and Scientists Museums, Inc. has flourished with the generous support of many inventors and artists like, Joseph N. Jackson, Roy "Futureman" Wooten, and Ice Cube.
We are now poised to establish a consortium of institutions to bridge the cultural and educational gaps in our society.
The original collection, presently housed at the Indira Mura Institute in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is currently the focal point of research collaborations with Dr. Reginald Rackley of the Southern University Department of Psychology.
Several variations and customized exhibits have evolved including the
Original Traveling Black Inventions Museum,
The Black Inventions Kitchen,
The Black Inventions Museum, Inc. and
The International Black Inventions Museum, Inc.
For over 17 years, countless visitors worldwide have experienced Black Inventors & Scientists exhibitions.
The insight gained reinforces the plethora of contributions people of color have made to the daily lives of people from every nation and culture.
A rich diversity of events has hosted the exhibitions including the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington D.C., the California Republican Convention in San Francisco, and The U.N. Indigenous Peoples Conferences in Geneva, Switzerland.
Recent Educational Tours
We have presented exhibitions for such honored host as:
*Lockheed Martin Aeronautics,
*Collegiate 100 Black Men,
*Boeing Satellite Systems,
*Lee College Library
Sponsored by A-Place.Org
*River Road African American Museum
*Lafayette Parish Juvenile Detention Center
*City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department
These are a few of the numerous schools and community Celebrations recently visited by BISM, Inc.
* Park Ridge Elementary -A NASA Explorer School
Baker, LA
* Belfair Montessori Magnet
EBRP, LA
*Northpark Elementary PTA
Valencia, CA
* Capital High Pre-College Academy
Baton Rouge, LA
Polk Elementary Career Day
Hosted by LKK Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc
*Africa Care Academy,
Dallas, TX Sponsored by Futureman Music
* Southside Child Care Center
Baton Rouge, LA
* Los Angeles African Marketplace and Cultural Faire
*City of Lafayette MLK Day Celebration, Louisiana
*Sankofa Juneteenth Festival, Pensacola, Florida
* Donaldsonville Juneteenth Celebration, Louisiana
*One Love Foundation, Toronto, Canada
One of the highlights was the display designed for the 2002 Symposium, Blacks in Technology: E-Inclusion “ Making a Digital Difference", presented by Tavis Smiley, and featuring the insight of industry leaders including Earl Graves, Carly Fiorina, Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Bill Gates, to name a few. This multi-city expo focused on correcting the Digital Divide by increasing access to technology in African American communities.
The objectives, goals and programs of the Black Inventors and Scientists Museums, Inc. continue this mission of bridging the "Digital Divide". We are now poised to establish a consortium of institutions to bridge the cultural and educational gaps in our society.
If you would like information on starting a museum or cultural center in your community, contact us by email: newcenter @ hotep . org or Call (310) 916-1551