Kalamazoo Valley Museum to show "Traces of the Trade" documentary

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is hosting a Sept. 30 showing of the documentary film, “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North.” The film, by Katrina Browne, details Browne’s discovery that her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history. She and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain powerful new perspectives on the black/white divide.

The Museum’s 1:30 p.m. showing of the film takes place in the Stryker Theater and is the first of a series of events designed to educate and support the community as it relates to contemporary and historic issues concerning race and racism. The “Gather at the Table” project is hosted by the Southwest Michigan Black Heritage Society in partnership with the YWCA of Kalamazoo Eliminating Racism Project, The Western Michigan University Multicultural Center, Kalamazoo Public Library, Portage District Library, Kalamazoo Valley Museum and CRIA (Calhoun Racial Impact Alliance). The “Gather at the Table” project consists of a two-part public program centered on a new book titled Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter and Son of the Slave Trade by Thomas Dewolf and Sharon Morgan.

Following the documentary, the Museum will host a panel discussion led by Cheree Thomas of the YWCA of Kalamazoo. The Museum will host a guest curator's small collection of African American memorabilia through November 11th. The items represent the dichotomy of gross stereotypes and significant African American history and achievement.

Free and open to the public, the Kalamazoo Valley Museum is owned by Kalamazoo Valley Community College and operated by its Board of Trustees.

For more information, go to kalamazoomuseum.org.