[Editor’s Note: Mr. Earl is Executive Director of the Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum.]
[img]1783|left|Mr. Avery Clayton||no_popup[/img]Last Sunday marked the 66th birthday of our dear friend, Avery Clayton (1947 – 2009), board chairman and founding executive director of the Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum.
Reflecting on Avery's tireless work on behalf of the Mayme Clayton made me smile, and it left me feeling quite hopeful about our future.
This was a special moment for me.
Challenges confronting the Mayme Clayton as an independent, emerging cultural institution sometimes seem insurmountable.
As I thought about Avery's nearly decade-long effort to secure a permanent home for the invaluable collection of African American history and culture assembled by his mother, Dr. Mayme Agnew Clayton, the current challenges confronting us seemed a little less overwhelming.
When Avery began this effort in earnest, Dr. Clayton's collection was on the verge of ruin.
It lacked a permanent home.
Today the collection is being preserved in a suitable facility.
Once again, it is accessible for the public to experience and explore.
In 2007, only a handful of volunteers were available to aid in moving the collection from Dr. Clayton's garage to our current home.
By now, however, the Mayme Clayton has more than 75 actively engaged volunteers.
They process and catalog the collection. They lead guided tours, and they serve as goodwill ambassadors for the museum and library.
These accomplishments are possible because of the enduring legacies that both Avery and Dr. Clayton left to us.
Although Avery's passing left the Mayme Clayton without the physical presence of its most ardent champion, he took care to leave to us so many deeds and words of encouragement.
“Mom's part in all of this was to assemble the collection,” Avery often said. “I really believe my part is to bring it to the world.”
Every day, the staff, volunteers, friends, and members do their part to sustain the Mayme Clayton so that it will be enjoyed for generations to come.
You can do your part to help sustain MCLM by visiting our current exhibits, Remembering WESBREC, Audio Assault: Sights and Sound of the Black Power Movement 1965 – 1975 and Jacob Lawrence: Visual Narratives, featuring prints from the Alitash Kebede Collection of African American Art on deposit at the Mayme Clayton.
You also are invited to join us at Saturday afternoon's free 4 o’clock screening of Moon Over Harlem, the featured film for this month's Black Talkies on Parade Film Series. Become a volunteer.
Tell a friend about our upcoming Roses & Revolution Listen Party on Saturday, March 30.
If you are not a member of the Mayme Clayton, consider joining today and help us to preserve and share the story of African American genius and creativity.
As Avery once said, “Much of African American history and culture is hidden. What's exciting about (the museum and library)is that we're going to show that black culture is rich and varied.”
Thank you, Avery ,for leaving to us inspiring, enduring words and deeds.
Mr. Earl may be contacted at claytonmuseum.org
