Inventors Makers and Movers: Honoring African American Innovation, Impacting Memphis and Beyond:
- murant9
- May 26
- 5 min read
Introduction
Imagine a museum filled with art that connects our present-day lives to the brilliant minds of the past. Think about a space where community businesses, students, and artists come together to celebrate the enduring legacy of African American inventors from post-Civil War America to pre-World War II. That’s exactly what Inventors Makers and Movers (IMM) is bringing to life. This organization has big plans: they’re highlighting the contributions of Black inventors while inspiring today’s youth, strengthening community bonds, and spreading this message far beyond Memphis.
But what does this really mean for Memphis? And how will this initiative leave a lasting impact on other cities across the U.S. as it travels? Here, we’ll take a closer look at IMM’s mission, its approach to showcasing history through art, its goals for the year, and the transformative potential of this powerful initiative.
The Vision of Inventors Makers and Movers
IMM is built on the idea that innovation is inextricably linked with culture, community, and education. The organization’s mission focuses on highlighting the creativity of African American inventors during a significant era—1865 to 1939. This historical period is not only rich with technological advances but is also foundational to the creative approaches African Americans brought to various fields. IMM's upcoming art exhibitions showcase this legacy through contemporary, critical works of art, with each piece inspired by inventions from these historical innovators.
At the heart of IMM’s initiative lies a unique, immersive experience that links art, history, and education. Here’s what each exhibition brings to life:
Artistic Interpretation: Twelve international artists of diverse backgrounds interpret historical inventions through modern art.
Historical Tribute: Each artist selects an invention by an African American inventor and reimagines it, helping audiences visualize and appreciate its impact.
Local Sponsorship: Present-day businesses that evolved from these inventions are invited to sponsor the artwork, bridging historical innovation with current success stories.
Community Engagement: Businesses commit to offering three-month internships to high school students, fostering hands-on learning and career exploration.
By connecting history to art, business, and community involvement, IMM inspires people to see the innovative power of African American inventors and to imagine how this legacy can shape the future.
Goals for the Year: Impacting Memphis and Beyond
To understand how IMM will create lasting change, let’s explore their top goals for the current year. These goals, spanning programming, management, and community impact, are key to IMM’s growth and influence.
1. Produce Three Annual Exhibitions
IMM’s goal to organize three art exhibitions each year is ambitious yet grounded in purpose. The first exhibition will launch in Memphis at the Museum of Science and History and will travel to four additional U.S. cities. This annual programming serves multiple purposes:
Local and National Reach: Each exhibition connects with new audiences as it travels, highlighting the contributions of African American inventors in each city it visits.
Cultural Education: By showcasing innovative re-interpretations of historic inventions, IMM fosters awareness of Black inventors whose work often remains underrepresented.
Community Engagement: Through partnerships with businesses and internship opportunities, IMM’s exhibitions provide unique ways for the community to interact with the exhibition, making it more than just an art display.
2. Engage 12 Local Businesses per Exhibition
IMM’s approach to sponsorship goes beyond financial backing; it invites local businesses into a shared mission. Each business, connected to a modern version of an invention by an early African American innovator, sponsors an artist and displays their own evolved product alongside the artwork. The sponsorship benefits include:
Showcasing Business Legacy: Present-day companies gain visibility by demonstrating their historical roots, drawing attention to how African American innovation paved the way for modern success.
Promoting Workforce Development: Participating businesses agree to offer three-month internships to local high school students, creating mentorship opportunities and fostering real-world learning experiences.
3. Expand Educational Outreach and Community Programs
IMM believes in the power of art and history to inspire the next generation. To reach young audiences and provide them with meaningful experiences, IMM aims to expand its educational programming. This includes:
Workshops and Talks: Hosting educational workshops, talks, and panel discussions for students to engage directly with artists, business leaders, and historians.
School Partnerships: Collaborating with schools to organize guided exhibition tours, connecting historical contributions to students' curricula in science, history, and art.
Internship Program Development: Facilitating 12 student internships each exhibition cycle, where students gain valuable insights and work experience in the fields inspired by African American inventors.
4. Strengthen Financial Sustainability
To keep IMM’s impactful programming going strong, financial stability is crucial. IMM’s financial goals this year include:
Building Long-Term Partnerships: Securing corporate sponsorships and community partners ensures steady support for IMM’s annual exhibitions.
Grant Applications: Pursuing grants focused on arts, culture, and educational initiatives to fund both operational and programming needs.
Membership and Donation Drives: Developing a membership program and encouraging individual donations to sustain and grow IMM’s exhibitions and educational programs.
The Ripple Effect: How IMM Impacts Memphis and Beyond
Impact on Memphis
Launching in Memphis offers IMM the chance to deeply connect with the city’s vibrant African American heritage and cultural legacy. Memphis, as a city, is steeped in stories of resilience, creativity, and activism. By highlighting African American inventors from 1865-1939, IMM honors a pivotal period that mirrors the enduring spirit of Memphis itself. Here’s how IMM aims to make an impact locally:
Job Opportunities and Internships: With 12 businesses committing to sponsor artists and host student interns, IMM fosters career pathways for Memphis youth.
Increased Museum Engagement: Local museums benefit from increased foot traffic and engagement, enriching the city’s cultural landscape.
Empowerment Through Representation: By highlighting African American inventors, IMM empowers Memphis’s African American community to see their history and legacy reflected in celebrated and meaningful ways.
Impact on Other U.S. Cities
As IMM’s exhibitions travel across the U.S., they bring with them the stories, achievements, and cultural heritage of Black inventors whose legacies have shaped modern life. In each new city, IMM will:
Create Local Partnerships: Each host city’s businesses will have the opportunity to partner with IMM, creating a localized impact through student internships and art sponsorships.
Foster National Recognition: By amplifying these stories, IMM encourages a broader understanding and appreciation of African American inventors, sparking dialogue and inspiring similar initiatives.
Engage Diverse Audiences: Through art, IMM invites people of all backgrounds to engage with African American history in a tangible, emotionally resonant way, fostering understanding and appreciation nationwide.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of IMM’s exhibitions?A: The exhibitions honor the legacy of African American inventors by reinterpreting their inventions into modern artworks, fostering historical appreciation, and inspiring community engagement.
Q: How does IMM support student involvement?A: IMM connects high school students with businesses for three-month internships, giving them real-world work experience and insights into fields influenced by African American innovators.
Q: Which cities will IMM’s exhibitions visit?A: The first exhibition will launch in Memphis and travel to four other U.S. cities. The specific cities are selected based on IMM’s partnerships and community engagement opportunities.
Conclusion
Inventors Makers and Movers is on a mission to bring history alive through art, bridging past innovations with present-day impacts. By celebrating the contributions of African American inventors and fostering connections between businesses, students, and the community, IMM is more than an art exhibition—it’s a movement. In Memphis and beyond, IMM serves as a reminder that history is never just about the past; it’s about inspiring the future. As it travels, IMM invites cities across the U.S. to share in this celebration of innovation, culture, and community—a testament to the power of art and history to spark lasting change.
For more information, visit Inventors Makers and Movers.org
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