The Traveling Black History Museum brought African American history to life Wednesday Feb. 19, engaging students and faculty in an immersive educational experience.
Arriving in the Alabama State University John Garrick Hardy Center, Fred Saffold, founder of the traveling museum, emphasized the importance of showcasing Black history in a nation where he believes it is undervalued.
“The mission is to share across the globe that people of African descent have value and have made significant contributions to humanity,” Saffold said. “Many Black history museums across the country are closing, so we bring the museum to you. We come to motivate, inspire and enlighten, and really fill educational gaps and voids.”
The exhibit, titled “A Tribute to the African-American Journey,” features more than 150 artifacts, including original documents and historical items from figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mary McLeod Bethune, Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, Angela Davis and former President Barack Obama.
Saffold explained that the exhibit guides visitors through African American history, starting with African artifacts and continuing through every major era up to the present day.
“We are very intentional about having people understand that civilization started in Africa and that Black people have an existence that predates 1619, that predates slavery,” he said. “Essentially, it is a tribute to people of African descent.”
The museum curates different themed exhibits throughout the year. In March, the collection shifts focus to “Women of Color,” which highlights the contributions of Black women. Other themed exhibits include one

dedicated to the Negro League, showcasing baseball players who paved the way for future generations.
“We are continuously collecting,” Saffold said. “In fact, somebody may come here today and say, ‘You know what? I have these documents at home from my grandmother. I am not doing anything with them.’ So we get things donated. We get things from auction houses. We have a community of collectors, and we trade artifacts, sell artifacts to each other.”
Amin Buchanan, a senior business management major, was impressed by the depth of history on display.
“The familiar faces, of course, Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks, but as you dive into the presentation, you see a lot of things that impact you,” Buchanan said. “If things do not get passed down correctly, then they just get lost. Reaching back out to the community and giving them this presentation is great for passing down information from generation to generation.”
Mia Mixon, a freshman elementary education major, attended the exhibit as part of her volunteer work with a student organization.
“It is a nice thing for people to come and look at, especially during Black History Month,” Mixon said. “Since they are trying to take that type of stuff out of the schools, it is good to know for yourself.”
Joshua Davis, a junior criminal justice major, stumbled upon the exhibit on his way to the cafeteria but was immediately drawn in by the historical signatures on display.
“I saw autographs of people like Malcolm X, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, people that I look up to and aspire to be like one day,” Davis said. “I was literally sitting here mesmerized.”
Saffold believes exhibits like this profoundly impact students and their understanding of Black history.
“I want them to leave here feeling empowered, that my people have done it all, and I can do everything,” he said. “If you do not see it, it is hard to aspire to do something if you have never seen it.”
Mixon echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of representation in historical narratives.
“If you never really know that somebody who looks like you and talks like you did something, then you would be less motivated to do it,” she said. “If you know, then you can be more inspired.”
Saffold encourages students to continue their education on Black history beyond the exhibit.
“They can go to our website at www.trueblackhistory.com,” he said. “There is a building on campus, and there is probably one somewhere in the city, called the public library. Just continue to read and examine things for yourself.”
Saffold urged students to critically engage with history and recognize the contributions of Black individuals, even when they are absent from traditional textbooks.
“If you see your people absent, ask where they are, because I know they were there,” he said. “Just because they are not in the books does not mean that their contributions are not there.”
For students like Davis, the impact of the exhibit is personal.
“This just gave me inspiration,” he said. “One day, I want to be on one of these tables.”