Traveling Exhibitions

Oscar Micheaux was one of the preeminent African-American filmmakers and independently produced, directed, and distributed over 40 films from 1919 to 1948. The Within Our Gates poster exhibit includes 15 original posters from his groundbreaking work, inclusive of information about each film and other related memorabilia. 

The Black Cowboys exhibition consists of 20 posters from movies, Black rodeos, and exhibitions from the time period of 1922 to 1990. The selections celebrate what is often not portrayed in popular American culture, but the excitement and empowerment is not lost on underrepresentation. These Black protagonists address themes of racism, justice and the struggle for respect and equality. 

There are a range of “All-Black” films that were distributed between the early to mid-1900’s that broke barriers and challenged the industry for greater representation, yet 100 years later, are still relatively unknown. This exhibit houses over 50 posters from this era that deserve the right to be explored.

A core part of The Black Canon Collection are the artifacts featuring Paul Robeson, a concert artist, stage and film actor, athlete, cultural scholar and activist. This exhibit consists of original movie posters, prints, playbills, flyers, and albums demonstrating his vast impact on the arts and society at large. 

Dorothy Dandridge (1922-1965) was an African-American actress and singer. She was the first African-American film star to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, which was for her performance in Carmen Jones.  Other performances include Tarzan's Peril, Ebony Parade and Bright Road, among many others. This exhibit contains 20 multimedia items showcasing her range of talents and influence.

This vast exhibit encompasses nearly 60 posters from the Blaxploitation era, from Shaft to Claudine to The Mack to Sweet Sweet Back - widely considered the first Blaxploitation film,  independently produced, written, filmed and directed by Melvin Van Peebles in 1971. Peak years for the genre were the 1970’s, where nearly 300 films were created.

This exhibit features posters and visual communications from the 1950s through the 1990s of famous African-Americans, flyers from organizations including the NAACP and the Black Panther Party, and other miscellaneous images. There are over 50 pieces in this collection.  

This exhibit features a range of posters and memorabilia throughout the decades of the 1960s to the 1990s. These films include a diverse set of genres and themes - both popular and hidden gems.