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A PEOPLE'S JOURNEY, A NATION'S STORY The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is a Smithsonian Museum dedicated to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Ph.D., historian and founding director from the museum's inception in 2005 until 2021. NMAAHC took 11 years to plan and build costing $540 million. The construction process for this complex undertaking involved a team of architects, engineers, and historians. The museum's design was inspired by the intricate ironwork forged by enslaved African Americans in the southern United States. The building's exterior features a three-tiered, bronze-colored screen that pays homage to this historical connection. The 8,000 square foot museum contains 496 cases of collections, 160 media presentations, 3,500 photographs and images, 3,000 artifacts, and 600 names of the enslaved whose lives were changed by the separation of families and friends during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The names of the slave ships that transported many Africans prior to the start of the Civil War in 1861 are also displayed. Construction of the NMAAHC began in 2012 and was completed in 2016. The museum opened to the public on Sept. 24, 2016. Some notable donated items are Nat Turner's bible, and Emmett Till's original casket. Dr. Bunch, in his book, A Fool's Errand, discusses creating the museum, stating, "The museum is not for African Americans only. The museum is an American story with a unique experience about a particular people. With slavery being the first global economy, everyone is shaped and informed by the African American experience regardless of who they are, and it is not our job to make the rough edges of American History smooth." Under Bunch's leadership, the 19th museum of the Smithsonian became a cultural landmark, attracting over six million visitors and contributing significantly to the understanding of the unique and diverse African American history and culture. Upcoming event(s): Tickets for the upcoming AACC Christmas Gala are on sale now for $65 each. Purchase them on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 2 pm in The Lodge. The next club meeting is Monday, Nov. 4 at 6 pm in The Lodge Game Room. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Jocelyn Doucette at cjs1speed@gmail.com. ~ Regina omas 46 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | NOVEMBER 2024 African American Cultural Club e National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, DC Lonnie G. Bunch III, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian In emergencies when there are no working landlines, no cell phone connection for calling or texting, no internet, and even no electricity, amateur radio is possibly the last resort for communications. In these situations, our Amateur Radio Operators (commonly known as Ham Radio Operators) will be able to connect their equipment to batteries. These batteries will be charged by solar panels that are specifically designed for radio setups and can be located in safe outdoor locations. Our Ham Radio Operators are here to provide communication support for the residents of Four Seasons during times of emergency when other means of communications are unavailable. If needed, we can notify your loved ones, relay messages, and possibly make arrangements for you to talk to them by connecting with other Ham Radio Operators. This club is for anyone interested in radio communication, radio technology, and who is willing to use these tools to help other residents during difficult times. We have weekly informational Nets (on the air meetings) each Wednesday at 5:30 pm on frequency 145.645 MHz. Residents are welcome and encouraged to check into these Nets after regular roll call as a visitor. Our monthly in-person meetings usually are on the last Friday of each month at 10 am in RCN Room #3. Please note that due to Thanksgiving, our November meeting has been canceled. Please visit our website at www.w6fsb.org. ~ Henry Ciesielski, hwciesielski@yahoo. com Amateur Radio Solar panels used to power ham radio

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