Donald Clayton testifies on Harlem International Museum

Thank you.

Good afternoon, everyone.

And I'm sorry.

Thank you.

Thank you for the opportunity to come before you.

Good afternoon, Chair.

Good afternoon, members of the committee.

My name is Donald Clayton.

I'm the Executive Director of the Harlem International Museum of Black History and African Culture, HIM.

Thank you for the opportunity to present testimony on behalf of an institution that has served Harlem and New York City for more than five decades.

Founded in 1972 as the Genesis Museum of International Black Culture,

HIM is a non-profit cultural educational institution chartered by New York State Education Department.

From its beginning, the museum's purpose has been to provide history, art, and cultural education through collection, documentation,

preservation, interpretation, exhibitions, and dissemination of the histories and art achievements of black and African people throughout the world.

Currently operating on West 126th Street in Harlem, HIM has presented exhibitions

educational programs, lectures, cultural programs, and heritage experiences that connect the histories of Africa,

the global black diaspora, with Harlem, New York City, United States, and the world.

Excuse me.

HIM appeared before the committee today to present its request for New York City, the partnership and investment towards establishing a permanent home for the museum in Harlem.

Such a facility would enable HIM to preserve and make public

Accessible, its collection, developed, permanent, and changing exhibition.

Expanding educational program for New York City students and families.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

Were you done?

Okay, you can finish.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

Before the committee.

Okay.

The museum therefore asked the City Council and New York City

and New York to consider a long-term public partnership with HIM that could include identifying and appropriating city-owned sites or facility

in Harlem, providing capital, operating support, and creating a pathway towards the institutional stability necessary for HIM to serve future generations.

New York City already maintains a long-standing public-private model through the Department of Cultural Affairs for the cultural institutions operating on city-owned property.

HIM seeks the opportunity to develop the organizational, capital, collection, educational, and facilities framework necessary to participate fully in New York City's cultural infrastructure.

A permanent home would allow more than five decades of HIM's cultural stewardship to be transformed into a lasting public resource,

one capable of preserving, collecting, expanding access to Black and African history, supporting educators and students, strengthening

Harlem's cultural landscape and welcoming residents and visitors from around the world,

HIM respectfully asked the council to begin formal dialogue with the museum, the Department of Cultural Affairs, and other appropriate city agencies to examine the feasibility

requirements, and potential pathway for establishing a permanent city-supported home for the Harlem International Museum of Black and African History and Culture.

Thank you.