The Hidden History Museum held a gathering in anticipation of its opening to the public.
The museum was created by Tariq Nasheed, an American film producer, best known for his Hidden Colors film series.
Nasheed came up with the idea to highlight current and past historical Black figures from Freedom Fighters, to inventors, master teachers, to founding pioneers in Black California, as well as Hip Hop culture on the West Coast.
“I decided to start this museum after I was driving down Crenshaw Boulevard and saw that people were using the site where Nipsey Hussle got shot and killed as a tourist attraction,” said Nasheed. “On any given day, you can see crowds of people taking pictures in front of the mural that has Nipsey’s face on it.”
The makeshift Nipsey Hussle memorial and daily scene behind it, pushed Nasheed to create a place where people can see positive affirmations of Black culture and tell the stories of Black history that aren’t told.
“We need to create institutions that we as Black people and or Black groups own so we can control the narrative,” said Nasheed.
Nasheed raised over $1 million through crowdfunding them used personal funds for the rest in total costing just under $2 million. The transaction closed in September 2022.
“The Black grassroots supported my vision and this effort,” said Nasheed. “We wanted to have the museum over in Leimert Park, a Black district in LA, but when we tried to buy property, there were several roadblocks, before we got to Jefferson Park.”
The museum is located at 2131 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018.
For hours of operation click here.
Photo source: Hidden History Museum
