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the new

narrative of local history

About Us

The Plano African American Museum is nestled in the historic Douglass Community located in one of the most diverse cities in Texas. Over the years, as the great city of Plano progressed, the museum however dwindled and hasn't been open to the public for years. Still, the community continued to celebrate the rich history, heritage, and culture of African - Americans in the Douglass Community.

 

With the 2020 pandemic causing many museums across America to close their doors, members of the Douglass Community came together with the help of dedicated volunteers, community-based organizations, non-profits, educators, historians, and families.  The community came together to preserve the local history that was almost lost forever. With a spark created by the first African - American Founding Families of Plano and an ambitious Girl Scout, we were able to surface stories, culture, arts, heritage, and first-hand experiences of the local contributions of African-Americans online.

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This online museum is a collection of contemporary, historical, and modern history.  We encourage you to read through all exhibits with an open mind, open heart, and willingness to learn more. As you explore each exhibit, we hope you can help us collectively combat the Myth of Absence - a theory that states if we are not talking about "it", then "it" never happened. The truth is, African - Americans helped to build, construct, develop, and maintain this great nation starting locally in our very own cities. Let's start talking, sharing, and spotlighting the contributions so that we can appreciate how far we have all come as a community, and as a nation. 

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Remember, Black History is American History, and celebrating the accomplishments of all Americans is what makes our country so great! Let's grow together and learn more from one another! 

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All content on the site is safe for all students, and we encourage you to visit us frequently to learn more. We have tons of history to share! We hope you leave each visit with us inspired and ready to share with your circle of influence. 

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Our 2021 Exhibits are: 

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  • Founding Families: First-hand experiences and interviews from the Founding Families & First Black Settlers of Plano which includes the Thomas, Drake, Stimpson, Davis & Thorton families 

  • HERitage: Historical, Modern, and Contemporary contributions of African - American women that impacted Plano with positive change by helping to improve the lives of all people

  • Trailblazers: African - Americans in North Texas that were pioneers in their professional, civic or social roles in the community

  • Influencers: Ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things to help improve the lives of African - Americans 

  • Disrupters: People, events, and movements that occurred sparked or made a significant impact by addressing civil rights, liberty, equality, or social justice for African - Americans everywhere

  • PAAM: Artifacts from the Plano African American Museum 

Special Thanks

This project couldn't have been completed without the support & help of amazing people! Thank you to the following: volunteers, community focused friends, organizations, and companies that provided resources to make this experience happen! ​

​Non-Profits & Community - Based Organizations:

  • Douglass Visions Committee 

  • Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church

  • Girl Scouts of North East Texas

  • Plano Public Library

  • Collin County NAACP

  • Dallas Professional Women

  • Code Pink Productions, Inc.

  • New York Public Library

  • Texas Historical Commission

Local Businesses:

  • Chiro Life

  • Zest of Life W Zara

  • Electrician On Call 

  • On Call Service Pros

  • Noxx Media Group 

  • NTX Plumbing 

  • Plano Magazine

  • Eye Maid Cleaning Service

  • Trendsetters to Trendsetters Magazine

  • Weeks Law Firm

  • Local Profile

  • The ONE NINE Group Inc.

  • Community Impact

Friends, Families & Community Members: 

  • Eleanor Stimpson Evans

  • David Evans

  • Dr. Tamara Thomas 

  • Tarnesha Nickens 

  • Zara Jones - Girl Scout Troop 3461

  • Lynn Johnson

  • Dollie Thomas

  • James Thomas Jr. 

  • Denise Hamilton

  • Toni Thomas

  • Megan Vicente - Ast Family

  • T.J. Johnson

  • Mayor Harry LaRosiliere 

  • Chief Ed Drain

  • Rochelle Rice

  • Jane Lidonde

  • The Lidonde - Price Family

  • Demetria & Jade 

  • Nahtalie Kincheloe

  • Darrell Jones

  • David, Lennox & Irum Jones

  • The Jones - Browning Family

  • The Jones - Rice Family

  • Chris Kupa 

  • Brandy Malbrough

  • Monique Je Muhammad

  • June Jenkins

  • Robin & Scott Turner

  • The Rashid - Jones Family 

  • Amanda Konnersman

  • Mandy Squib

  • Adeola Chukwumah

  • Karuna Thomas

  • Mai Hooper

  • Tara Bidwell

  • Kristin Keeling

  • Megan Vicente

  • Robin Williams 

  • Jennifer Schertzer

  • Jayda Clayton 

  • Atama Dindyal

  • Precious Walton 

  • Elizabeth Martin (Lizzy)

  • Tina Williams

  • Courtney Hitt 

  • Beth Kohn

  • Jamie Hanna - Troop 3461

  • Brandon Maxey

  • Khalil Kinsey

Project Team

Featured Online Exhibits

Black History Timeline 1
Black History Timeline 2
Black History Timeline 3
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