Legacy in Motion: Museum Practices as Acts of Black Liberation

Natalie Speech presenting at Legacy in Motion: Museum Practices as Acts of Black Liberation

The Black Entertainment Museum Foundation (BEMu) proudly presents Legacy in Motion: Museum Practices as Acts of Black Liberation, a groundbreaking event dedicated to exploring how museums can serve as powerful spaces for truth-telling, cultural preservation, and liberation.

At BEMu, we believe that preserving Black culture is not only essential—it is imperative. By chronicling the stories of Black creatives across music, film, television, and theater, we ensure that their struggles, triumphs, and groundbreaking contributions are never forgotten. Museums, archives, and cultural spaces become more than institutions of history—they become active participants in shaping the future.

Why “Legacy in Motion”?

The phrase “Legacy in Motion” embodies the living, breathing force of Black creativity. It speaks to the resilience of generations of artists who pushed boundaries, defied stereotypes, and expanded what was possible in entertainment and beyond. Their legacies are not static—they continue to inspire, educate, and ignite action.

This event emphasizes the importance of museum practices that do more than display artifacts. They provide platforms for dialogue, amplify voices that history has tried to silence, and act as catalysts for liberation. By framing exhibitions, archives, and interactive programs as acts of Black liberation, we highlight the museum’s role as a cultural sanctuary where imagination, education, and empowerment thrive.

The Power of Preservation

Through exhibitions and archives, BEMu is committed to honoring the illustrious careers and life struggles of Black artists. From original works and costumes to film stills, photographs, props, and iconic performance clips, these artifacts tell stories that are both deeply personal and universally inspiring.

Preservation is not nostalgia—it is empowerment. When Black youth witness the rich legacy of those who came before them, they gain a sense of identity, possibility, and pride. Likewise, society at large is reminded of the immense value that Black talent has contributed—and continues to contribute—to global culture.

Natalie Speech (Founder of BEMu) along with Ethel Pitts-Walker (Black Theatre Network Founder and past President)

Liberation Through Storytelling

Museums are more than buildings filled with history. They are sites of resistance, remembrance, and renewal. With Legacy in Motion, we reaffirm that documenting and celebrating Black entertainment history is a radical act of liberation in itself. Every story told, every image preserved, every artifact displayed ensures that Black voices remain central to the narrative of entertainment and cultural history.

An Invitation to Join the Movement

The Black Entertainment Museum Foundation is more than a museum—it is a living testament to the brilliance, resilience, and creativity of Black entertainers throughout history. Through events like Legacy in Motion, we continue to champion education, inspire future generations, and perpetuate the legacies of those who dared to dream and create.

We invite you to be part of this journey. Together, let us celebrate, preserve, and honor the rich legacy of Black talent.

Legacy is not something we inherit—it is something we keep in motion.