Heritage and Horizons: The PAHMUSA Gala to Keep History Alive
Springfield, Mass. - There’s a word from Ghana’s Akan Tribe that Sam Bradley appreciates. “We go by this saying ‘sankofa.’ That means you must know your history and your past in order to develop a better future,” he said.
Bradley is the executive director of Springfield’s Pan-African Historical Museum (PAHMUSA), the only museum dedicated to Black history in Western Massachusetts. Sankofa speaks to the importance of keeping this education alive.
“We know that our government is trying to stop the learning of our history. PAHMUSA is one of the places that will let people know about our history, about us,” Bradley said.
Ten years ago, Bradley began working with PAHMUSA founder LuJuana Hood, who previously was protective of the organization she created and hesitant to partner with others. Hood was known as Mother Africa for her abundance of knowledge and founded PAHMUSA in 1995 to help Black and Brown people better understand their history.
“For some reason, she took a liking to me,” Bradley chuckled. The two helped PAHMUSA grow, partnering with schools, churches and community groups to promote the education of African American history.
When she passed away in 2019, the board of directors named Bradley as her successor.
“We try to do everything we possibly can to maintain her legacy, keep it alive, and go from there,” he said. One of Bradley’s goals is to expand upon the foundation she created so that all of Springfield can embrace what PAHMUSA offers.
“PAHMUSA is for the community,” he said, whether organizations and individuals would like to rent space or have an interest in seeking a partnership.
Celebrating Springfield’s Black Legacies
Since the beginning, PAHMUSA has been located in what is now the Tower Square Building at 1500 Main Street in Springfield. With the Tower Square Building under new ownership, PAHMUSA is hosting the inaugural Art, Culture, and History Fundraising Gala to keep the museum operational.
During the black tie event, seven honorees will be recognized for their significance in the Black community. All of these African American heroes shared a special connection with Hood. Professors, pastors, an artist, a videographer and a former state representative are among those being recognized. In addition, a Black History Impact Award will be presented to Saint John’s Congregational Church.
The Gala will bring together art, culture and history, all of which are important to PAHMUSA’s mission. Performers from one of the organization’s most popular educational programs, an Underground Railroad tour, will give attendees a taste of what the experience is like.
The evening will also feature an art exhibit and auction, musical entertainment and a documentary about Hood.
A Refreshed Approach
For the first three decades, PAHMUSA survived by word of mouth. Bradley is trying to change that by implementing marketing strategies and building social media.
Here’s also using the Stand Out Truck® to promote the Gala and upcoming events. At a PAHMUSA summer camp last year, Stand Out Truck® owner Mychal Connolly spoke to students about his books and entrepreneurship.
After seeing how positive the experience was for the youth, Bradley selected Connolly to Keynote at the Gala and utilize Stand Out Truck® services to market the event. “We thought it was a win-win situation,” he said.
Bradley’s goal is to grow PAHMUSA to be a premier museum and educational experience, which starts with updates currently underway. “I want PAHMUSA to be a museum that rivals other museums,” he said. “That’s why we’re doing renovations. Whoever has been in PAHMUSA before, it won’t be like it was.”
Tickets for the Gala are available through Eventbrite or on the PAHMUSA website. Sponsors may purchase an ad for print or the video by contacting pahmusagala@gmail.com.
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