The nation has listened to Tavis Smiley talk about race for nearly two decades, but latest effort in Charlotte is not focused on words, but rather images and artifacts that celebrate the fight for inclusion.
"We sing America," Smiley told WBTV." We dream America. That's why it's called America I am."
The America I am exhibit...takes up two floors and three reconfigured galleries at the Gantt Center.
The timeline lasting hundreds of year's showcasing African American sacrifice, service and achievement takes us to school from slavery to the White House.
"There's a unique flavor that we've brought into the country, and this exhibit tries to celebrate that," Smiley said.
This walk down memory lane in some respects fosters a certain level of understanding, but going through these exhibits brings the emotions of pride and unfortunately pain."
Examples include clothing worn by the Klan, and authentic reminders from the Jim Crow Era.
David Taylor is the Executive Director of the Harvey B. Gantt Center
"This is an American History. America would not have been America had it not been for African Americans."
In this story line are Muhammad Ali's robe, Michael Jordan's Jersey, and Dr. Martin Luther King's moment in a Birmingham Jail.
"When we embrace each other's struggle, each other's sacrifice. We make each ourselves better Americans."
Discovery comes in the exercise of finding value in these individuals and the validation of their past deeds.
