PAHMUSA's 2nd Annual Art, History & Culture Fundraising Gala

PAHMUSA (The Pan African Historical Museum USA) is a hidden gem. It was founded in 1995 by Lujuana Hood. Her mission to help preserve the local history of African Americans is continued today. Executive Director Sam Bradley and his team continue building on the foundation Ms. Hood established by offering educational, performing arts, and socially relevant programming for the immediate and surrounding community. Visitors from all over the world are drawn to the exhibitions and programming offered weekly.

PAHMUSA houses a unique collection of print materials to support the artifacts on display. Education plays a huge part in our programming offerings. Since 1995, the founding members of PAHMUSA'S intention was to bring the little-known history of Black Americans to the classroom. Alliances with community schools are too many to name. However, PAHMUSA played a pivotal role in educating students through school visits, on-site tours and activities, teacher training, trips to Africa, fashion shows, and a re-enactment of Timbuktu.

Our renowned Underground Railroad Tour was conceived, researched, designed, and enacted by PAHMUSA. Visitors can join local docents, reenactment actors, and historians for an engaging and enlightening stroll through the downtown area of Springfield, MA. You will never look at Springfield similarly after participating in this tour. Visit historical markers and meet people that salute the perseverance, ingenuity, and resilience of some of Springfield's unsung early residents. The Underground Railroad was composed of many people and places. Springfield was an essential destination for freedom seekers and activists like Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, and John Brown.

PAHMUSA proudly and consistently supports, reserves, and propagates the legacy and rich history of people of color. We are a service-oriented business that emphasizes sharing our human and material resources to support and uplift our immediate and surrounding community.

Current Status:

PAHMUSA is in a period of transition. We have been at our current location for over 30 years. PAHMUSA has always been a no-cost museum and has not generated much revenue with current programming and events. We have not received sufficient funding from grants. We now have to change our current focus to securing funding in an attempt to remain in existence. The immediate plan is to raise funds with the help of the community by way of a fundraising gala, which will also serve as annual programming.

This event serves a two-fold purpose:

1. Create awareness for the museum and its rich history to Springfield and beyond.

2. Raise funds for operating costs attributed to keeping the museum open and providing programming. We humbly ask that you consider supporting PAHMUSA and its mission - PAHMUSA proudly and consistently supports, reserves, and propagates the legacy and rich history of people of color. We are a service-oriented business that emphasizes sharing our human and material resources to support and uplift our immediate and surrounding community.

Your support will help us move closer towards our goal of raising $25,000, our operating budget the remainder of the fiscal year (2025).

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Marriott Springfield Downtown, 2 Boland Way, Springfield, United States