Previous
Exhibits
The Origins of Soul Food
The History of Blacks in Medicine
The Great Migration
The History of Blacks in Uniform
A Treasure
of History.
About Us
Mama’s Attic was founded in 2020 after a successful art show curated by LaVon Stennis Williams which showcased the art work her mother Emma Pearl Haynes Stennis left behind.
Thrilled to learn more, event attendees strongly encouraged LaVon to open an art gallery for greater access to her mother’s art. Hours later, the concept of Mama’s Attic was born.
LaVon knew that her mom used her art to tell history so she decided use her art work as the basis for a boutique museum that would provide an opportunity to learn about the complete story on the day to day life and experiences of African American rather than just a venue to showcase relics.
Mama’s Attic provides carefully researched exhibits that are curated around a historical theme. The themed exhibits change every 3 months. Each exhibit is accompanied by a short video related to the themed subject.
Mama’s Attic can accommodate individual or group visits. All visits are by appointment only. Visits are free, but donations are encouraged.
Mama's Inspiration
Emma Pearl Haynes Stennis is the inspiration behind Mama’s Attic.
Born in Shuqualak, Mississippi in 1926 as a sharecropper to parents Clay and Nola Haynes, Mama desired more for herself and her family. She persuaded her parents to move with her to Omaha, NE in 1952.
Mama was a self-taught folk artist who used art to express her life growing up in Mississippi, the overall history and culture of Black Americans and their experiences in America. Many of her pictures tell her family’s story living as poor sharecroppers in segregated rural Mississippi.
Mama loved all History, but focused mainly on Black History. Although she only received a sixth grade education, she was a self-taught historian. I inherited my love of history from her.
Long before the issues surrounding Critical Race Theory, it was Mama’s belief that history belonged to us all and should be taught without making any one feel guilty or inferior. Mama’s Attic is my way of continuing my mom’s legacy of telling our complete history.
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In The Press
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JAKE RANDELL,
San Francisco Times