The Odell S. Williams Now And Then African-American History Museum or the Baton Rouge African-American Museum, is a non-profit [1] museum of African-American history and heritage located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, [2] United States. The museum is named for Odell S. Williams, an educator in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Founded by Sadie Roberts-Joseph in 2001, the museum remains the only museum dedicated to African and African American history in the city. [3] The museum celebrates Juneteenth, [4] [5] Black History Month, and American history year round. [6]
Sadie Roberts-Joseph, curator and founder, established the African American Museum after seeing the need and importance of having it in the community. [7] She often told visitors, "Culture is the glue that holds a people together. Take a step back in time and leap into your future." [8]
Roberts-Joseph maintained the museum on her own from its founding until her death in 2019. [9] After her death, her son Jason and his sister took over the management. The museum closed for a short time for COVID-19, but reopened in time for Juneteenth 2020. [10] It receives no federal or local funding. [11]