Afro-American Heritage Center - Rock Island, IL

The 2011/12 Documentary Season is Here!

The 2011/12 documentary season has begun. For the past four years, AAHC has had the goal of presenting a variety of documentaries with sometimes-provocative content help to bring forward community conversations of the experiences of Afro-Americans as it relates to American History.

Now a new component of films that bring attention to current educational struggles within the Afro-American community are included in the list of screenings.

Additionally, films that are over an hour are set for screening in a location other that the Rock Island Public Library, which also means the times of the screenings can expand to weekends and evenings.

If you have a subject or specific documentary that you would like to see that falls in line with the Mission of the AAHC, please send your suggestion to aahc@afrolegacy.org. 

Independent Lens  -- More Than A Month

Premiering on PBS February 16, 2012 - Check local PBS listings.

A 29-year-old African-American Filmmaker is on a cross-county campaign to end Black History Month.

For the Quad Cities Area, the film can be seen on IPTV Sunday, February 19, 11:00 PM  

 Why Knowing History Matters

 

In general, no one disputes that it is beneficial to study history; after all, if one wants to become of citizen of the United States or finish compulsory education, he has to pass a test that includes knowledge of American History. Especially telling is the revealed attitudes, behaviors and motives of individuals and groups of people.

Our Mission is help youths gain an accurate understanding of the historical identity of Afro‑Americans in relation to American History. Youths will benefit themselves by learning how the past has brought their benefits of today.

For example, if a youth learned that someone risked their life to learn to read and have an equal opportunity to learn available for future generations, would they take their education more seriously? Would their parents? Could learning of the struggle and accomplishments of the past, make a difference? Our answer is YES! This is where the value of the struggle is the legacy left behind, but one cannot know what he is not taught.

Members of the AAHC believe for some youths, a difference will occur and this reinforcement, this knowledge of a positive historical identity, will benefit a youth’s self-esteem and the social betterment of the community in general.

Lend your support to this project today by becoming a sponsor or volunteer.