Kalamazoo (MICH) —The Merze Tate Explorers’ Driving into History: Black Women, Cars, and Courage exhibition is now in partnership with America250MI, the statewide commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The exhibition’s Phase II “History and Cars”, will launch with a FREE public celebration from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, April 18th at the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan.

The exhibition partnership between the Gilmore Car Museum and The Burns Archive, aims to use youth voices through multi-media to celebrate Black women of past, present, and future. The exhibition will be available at the Gilmore Car Museum through September, after which, it will display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, throughout the state and beyond.

This initiative reflects America250MI’s 5 Guiding Themes—especially “We the People,” —by sharing the history of Black women and girls through historic photograph recreations and cars. The Burns Archive generously partnered with the nonprofit to provide historic images of Black girls and women with cars over the past 100 years from their book, Picturing Freedom: African Americans and Their Cars. Students recreated these images at the Gilmore Car Museum to partner history told their way. Together with America250MI, we’re bringing this traveling exhibition to youth, and people of all backgrounds, strengthening education, heritage, community engagement, and history through cars. 

During the April 18th event, Elizabeth Burns of the Burns Archives, will be on site to sign her books as students collect stories from visitors of their favorite car stories. In addition, visitors can take photos in an history 1968 convertible.

The project is also supported by other great partners such as the Gilmore Car Museum, BLACK ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER, Bronson Healthcare Group, Inc., Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Kalamazoo Community Foundation, M2 McMillian Media, Cataanda James Beauty, Kzoom, Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, RJ’s Printing LLC., just to name a few!

“We are proud to partner with America250MI to celebrate youth voices and women’s history, honoring Michigan’s history while inspiring our future. This effort underscores our shared commitment to [value: preserving heritage, community engagement, education.” said Sonya Hollins, founder and executive director of the Merze Tate Explorers.

With support from America250MI’s network and resources, this exhibition will reach thousands of all backgrounds and deliver student learning, preservation, local storytelling, cultural tourism, and more..

America250MI’s funding enables the production of this world-class exhibition and partnership with various partners, including the Burns Archive of New York. The Burns Archive’s book, Picturing Freedom: African Americans and Their Cars, helps us tell a story of history in a unique way through the eyes of young girls. 

About the Merze Tate Explorers

The Explorers was founded in 2008 by award-winning journalist Sonya Bernard-Hollins. After discovering the life of Dr. Tate while working at the Kalamazoo Gazette, Hollins has been on a mission to equip girls to explore possibilities through the legacy of Dr. Tate. Tate, a 1927 graduate of Western Michigan University, made history as the first African American to earn a degree from Oxford University, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard, and the first African American woman to represent the U.S. during a UNESCO conference. 

In addition, Hollins has been on a mission to secure Dr. Tate’s life in history by working with and inspiring others in the naming of the Tate Library in her hometown of Blanchard, Michigan, the Merze Tate College on the campus of Western Michigan University, and a study room and brick in her honor at Oxford University, among other recognitions. 

Hundreds of girls have learned to use media, travel, and find their passions through the program’s nearly 20-year history. 

For more information, visit: https://www.merzetate.org or find us on social media and our GirlsCanMedia channel on YouTube.

About America250MI

America250MI is Michigan’s statewide initiative coordinating programs, partnerships, and storytelling for the United States Semiquincentennial. Together with communities across the state, America250MI celebrates Michigan’s past, present, and future through the 250th anniversary and beyond. Learn more at www.America250MI.org, and follow them at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/America250MI or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/america250mi