Driving into History Exhibition Wins Big Uncategorized by Ben Staples - October 19, 2026October 19, 20260 Merze Tate Explorers earn MotorCities 2026 Award of Excellence for bringing overlooked stories of Black women and automotive history to life KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Oct. 19, 2026) — History is hitting the road! After attracting thousands of visitors to the Gilmore Car Museum, Driving into History: Black Women, Cars, and Courage is traveling the country with a prestigious new honor: the 2026 MotorCities National Heritage Area Award of Excellence in Education/Interpretation. Sonya Bernard-Hollins poses with representatives of MotorCities National Heritage Area. From left: Brian Yopp, Shawn Pomerville-Size and George Etheridge. – Copyright Merze Tate Explorers The Kalamazoo-based Merze Tate Explorers organization, founded in 2008, received recognition for its innovative approach to interpreting automotive history and introducing new audiences to the often-overlooked contributions of Black women throughout the 20th century. Inspired by the book Picturing Freedom: African Americans and Their Cars by the Burns Archive, the exhibition features nearly three dozen historic and reimagined photographs spanning the 20th century. Youth recreated images of Black women and girls alongside period automobiles with help from the largest car museum in North America. 2026–2028 Exhibition Tour Schedule The award-winning exhibition continues its statewide journey, with confirmed and planned engagements including: 2026 March: Black Arts and Cultural Center — Kalamazoo, MI April–September: Gilmore Car Museum — Hickory Corners, MI October–November: Willard Public Library — Battle Creek, MI 2027 February–March: Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Arcus Gallery — MI April: Grand Rapids Public Library, Downtown Branch — MI October 1–January 14, 2028: Sloan Museum — Flint, MI Additional museums, libraries, universities and cultural institutions are invited to explore opportunities to bring this unique exhibition to their communities. Funds to secure the exhibition go to support the organization’s mission to equip girls in grades 4th-12 with the skills to explore possibilities through media. The project also contributes to the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, highlighting stories of mobility, freedom and opportunity too often missing from traditional accounts of American history. Other partners include The Burns Archive, Black Arts and Cultural Center, America250MI, MotorCities National Heritage Area, Bronson Health and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Interested in bringing this award-winning exhibition to your community? Learn more at Drivingintohistory.com or contact Sonya Hollins at contact@merzetate.org or 269-359-7895.
