The Griot Museum of Black History

The Griot Museum of Black History For more info: 2505 St. Louis Ave
St. Louis, MO 63106
(314) 241-7057
www.thegriotmuseum.com The Griot is the first cultural institution in St. Earl. E.

Louis that is solely dedicated to revealing the broad scope of Black History and culture. Only the second of its kind in the country, The Griot Museum of Black History opened as The Black World History Wax Museum in February 1997. In 2009, we hit upon what seems to be the perfect name “The Griot (pronounced “GREE-OH”) Museum of Black History. Our new name more accurately reflects what we do -- col

lect, preserve, interpret, and share the stories, culture, and history of Black people - particularly highlighting their regional connection to American history. The core galleries of The Griot include life-size wax figures, other art, artifacts, and memorabilia to help interpret the stories of Black people who have contributed to our country’s development. Visitors can “meet” and learn about Carter G. Woodson, Josephine Baker, Dred and Harriet Scott, Elizabeth Keckley, William Wells Brown, James Milton Turner, Clark Terry, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Nance Sr., Miles Davis, Madame C.J. Walker, York, Percy Green, Macler Shepard, Chief Sherman George, and others!

08/22/2026

OUR AFRIKAN BLOOD DEFENDER MOTHER 1967.

Niani Gallery
Niani Gallery is an art and jewelry brand established in 1998, promoting unique designs created by its collective of African craftspeople. The gallery, which aims to create timeless heirloom jewelry and art, has showcased its work, including rare antique Pende pendants, at exhibitions such as a three-month event at Artopia Fine Art Gallery in Virginia. Featuring artists like Tuareg artist Louis Sangare-King, Niani Gallery's work is also available on platforms like Etsy.

Artopia Fine Art Gallery, in the bustling Fair Oaks Mall in Fair Oaks, Virginia, is hosting a three-month exhibition of exquisite jewelry from Niani Gallery. From now until post-Christmas, Artopia, located on the upper level across from Macy's of the suburban Washington, DC mall, will also organize two exclusive trunk shows stocked with creations by Niani's Tuareg artist Louis Sangare-King.

Sangare-King was hot on the vendor circuit with his fine, artistic jewelry from sterling silver until the COVID pandemic hit. "Very seldom do I use gold," he added.

Since 2020, he has developed a robust online store. "I had no choice," he said. No special shows or events were happening to set up a booth and sell."

His in-store presence during the holidays will provide the jewelry artist with more exposure, which will also draw customers who come into stores and later look for similar items online. Sangere-King added, "My items are one of a kind and not mass-produced. You won't find them on any other website but my own."

Source: Niani Gallery https://share.google/HNYj4ye5cLJaBLbcR

08/22/2026

On 22 August 1791 The Haitian Revolution begins. It was the most successful Black revolt by enslaved Africans in world history. Led by Toussaint L’Ouverture, a trusted house slave who initially opposed the rebellion, the slaves defeated the mighty French army led by Napoleon. They also defeated a contingent of British troops. However, L’Ouverture was tricked into attending a “peace” conference where he was captured and would later die in prison. It fell to one of his lieutenants, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, to complete the struggle and declare the island nation an independent republic on 1 January 1804. ❤️💚🖤🇭🇹

07/26/2026

Feb. 28, 1803: “An Act to Prevent the Importation of Certain Persons into Certain States” was passed into law on February 28, 1803.

First Anti-Immigration Law Targets Black People from Haiti coming to U.S. over fears they would start a Rebellion.

In 1803, a year before formerly enslaved people in the French colony of Saint Domingue declared Haiti to be a free Black republic, Congress prohibited ship captains from bringing any “negro, mulatto, or other person of color” into any state where a state law prohibited their entry.

This law targeted free Black migrants, namely Haitians, whom Southern slavers feared might sail to the United States to ignite an armed revolt among the enslaved population across the U.S. South. By the 1830s, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi had passed a set of laws known as the “Negro Seamen Acts,” which prohibited ship captains from bringing Black migrants into their ports.

SOURCE:

https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/first-anti-immigration-law-targets-black-people/?fbclid=Iwb21leATRzipjbGNrBNHOFWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHjManMv4-a3UeGZ_m4DsQzy67no_he0pkRyWd6pDMKtP29txYjNUsJ-24l_k_aem_GbSaMWtOit-ysbDBIgB3xA

07/26/2026

From Omari Ashby: Over the next few days, we're going to explore simple, intentional ways to honour, acknowledge, and venerate our ancestors.
Nothing complicated or expensive. Just meaningful practices that help us remember those who came before us, strengthen our connection to them, and deepen our understanding of ourselves. The journey begins with one simple step.

Call Their Names
One of the simplest and most powerful things you can do is speak the names of your ancestors out loud.

In many African spiritual traditions, the ancestors exist in the space between memory and presence. Calling their names is an act of remembrance, gratitude, and relationship.

Start with who you know. Your grandmother. Your grandfather. A parent. An uncle who passed before his time. A mentor. An elder who helped shape your life.

Say their full name if you know it. Remember something they taught you. Thank them for what they gave, whether it was love, wisdom, courage, or simply the strength to keep going.

All you need is intention.

Tonight, before you sleep, call one name.
Say it with love.
Say it with gratitude.
Say it because you have not forgotten.

07/26/2026

In 2021 when Yanga, Mexico’s first liberated city, celebrated its founding, the city’s founding documents highlighted how the city was formed. Historians say that about two centuries before Mexico gained its independence, Yanga, located in the state of Veracruz, defeated the Spanish crown in battle, leading to its freedom and also becoming the “first self-liberated and independent town in the Americas.”

The town/city located in east-central Mexico was first called San Lorenzo de los Negros, then San Lorenzo de Cerralvo, before eventually Yanga, in honor of Gaspar Yanga, an enslaved African who led the uprising that paved the way for the city to be founded. Gaspar Yanga, otherwise known as Yanga or Nyanga, was born in Gabon on May 15, 1545. He was said to be of the Bran tribe and was a direct descendant of the Royal family of Gabon. He acquired his first name, Gaspar, when he was captured and sold into slavery.

SOURCE:

https://face2faceafrica.com/article/how-mexicos-first-liberated-city-came-to-be-after-a-daring-revolt-by-an-african-slave12

Address

2505 Saint Louis Avenue
St. Louis, MO
63106

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+13142417057

Website

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