The founder and curator of The Black History 101 Mobile Museum returns to his alma
mater to display a variety of images, documents and thoughts as Khalid El-Hakim will
participate in Ferris State University’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration with two events on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
El-Hakim has acquired more than 7,000 original African-American artifacts through more than two decades of personally searching antique shops, estate sales and auctions during his travels throughout the United States. He said his Signature Series display will be available in Room 203 of the University Center, Room 203 on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., where he will make himself available to visitors.
“There will be documents, photos, albums and other artifacts, items dating back to the early 1800s, and up to modern times,” El-Hakim said. “Some of the most notable pieces include signatures of Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, Rosa Parks, Huey P. Newton and Angela Davis.”
On the evening of Jan. 23, El-Hakim will speak in the University Center Ballroom at 6 p.m. in a five-star event. Campus co-sponsors include the Black Student Union, the Center for Leadership, Activities and Career Services, Ferris’ Diversity and Inclusion Office, the Office of Residential Life’s Harmony Project, the Social Work Association and You Beautiful Black Woman.
“My talk is entitled ‘The Truth Hurts: Black History, Honesty and Healing the Racial Divide,’” El-Hakim said. “I will examine how King’s legacy connects to present-day struggles. In King’s later years, he described racism, poverty and militarism as being the three evils that were the biggest challenges the society faced. Unfortunately, these are still very real challenges we have to face. My challenge to the Ferris State community is to learn more about the history of MLK and the commitment he made to improve race relations. Through the Black History 101 Mobile Museum experience, I hope people walk away not only inspired but determined to make a difference in their communities.”
El-Hakim graduated from the university in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and taught in the Detroit Public Schools. He also worked for more than 20 years in the hip-hop industry serving as a booking agent and manager for various artists.
PHOTO CAPTION: Khalid El-Hakim, the founder and curator of The Black History 101 Mobile
Museum, will return to the Ferris State University campus on Wednesday, Jan. 23 for
two events, as part of the 33rd annual Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration.