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 September 2006
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - September 6, 2006: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History has met and exceeded the requirements of The Kresge Foundation Challenge. Terms of the Challenge were straightforward and dealt with two major areas for the Museum-operational and fund-raising goals. The operating portion required the museum to balance their budget while the fund-raising challenge stipulated that the museum earn 70,000 paid admissions and 20,000 current members by June 30, 2006. Successful completion of these goals by the stated deadline would garner a $2.5 million award for the Wright Museum. Not only did the museum meet both the operating and fund-raising goals, it exceeded them. Paid admissions were 77,750 and the membership numbers totaled 24,850. “Meeting and exceeding these goals was possible because the citizens of Detroit and the entire metropolitan area rallied with us and for us throughout this challenge” said Tyrone Davenport, Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer at the Museum. “We have always felt that the community was supportive of us and inviting everyone to join us on Sunday, September 17th for A Day of Gratitude is our way of saying Thank You.” "This is a tremendous accomplishment for the Museum” said Judge Damon J. Keith, an honorary Day of Gratitude chairman. “Now we must build on this momentum and continue to encourage people to help fund programs that will educate and enlighten our community on the issues that face African Americans." A Day of Gratitude sponsored by General Motors, AAA of Michigan, and WMXD Mix 92.3 FM takes place on Sunday, September 17, 2006, from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Wright Museum. Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, the honorable Judge Damon J. Keith and City of Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick serve as honorary chairpersons for this event. Governor Granholm and Mayor Kilpatrick will also declare September 17th as A Day of Gratitude, with proclamation presentations to Museum officials. Throughout the day there will be entertainment, exhibitions, refreshments, children’s workshops and more – all free! Additional highlights include: The Storytellers, a Detroit husband and wife team tells stories through music and song, The Art of Adornment, an African jewelry-making workshop for children, experience And Still We Rise with live costumed re-enactors portraying Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass, and live entertainment provided by Jimmy McKee and the Upsetters Band, featuring Sandra Feva. The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, located at 315 East Warren Avenue, in the heart of Midtown, is open Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. and closed Monday and Tuesday. Admission is $8.00 for adults (ages 13-61) $5.00 for seniors (ages 62+) and $5.00 for children (ages 3-12). Museum members and children under three are admitted free. Call (313) 494-5800 for general information or visit us on the web at www.maah-detroit.org. ###
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