Celebrating Black History

_{Story Submitted by Clark County Historical Museum.}

Clark College is hosting a powerful glimpse into local Black history this February. In honor of Black History Month, the Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) has unveiled Foundations, a temporary exhibit at the Clark College Bookstore that explores the early years and lasting impact of the local Vancouver’s NAACP. Serving as a preview of a larger exhibit set to open in April, Foundations highlights eight decades of activism, resilience, and progress in the fight for racial justice. Through historic photos, documents, and personal narratives, visitors can connect with the stories that shaped Vancouver’s Black community and continue to inspire change today.

Created in partnership with the Vancouver NAACP and CCHM, the exhibit highlights the pivotal role of the NAACP Vancouver Branch in advocating for racial justice, equality, and community empowerment since its founding in 1945. Through powerful images and personal narratives, visitors will gain insight into the early history of the local chapter, its impact during a time of racial tension and war, and the lasting legacy of this grassroots organization in the fight for civil rights.

This teaser exhibit displayed at the Clark College Bookstore offers a glimpse into the rich history of Vancouver’s Black community and sets the stage for the full exhibit that will open in April, honoring 80 years of dedicated work towards racial justice.

This exhibit features historical photos, documents, and a timeline of key moments, including the struggles faced by Black residents during World War II, the formation of the Vancouver NAACP branch, and its continued work toward social equity. The full exhibit in April will delve deeper into the ongoing work of the NAACP Vancouver Branch, with an emphasis on its role in overcoming housing discrimination, job inequalities, and fighting for equal rights for all.

Bradley Richardson, executive director at Clark County Historical Museum, said, “The exhibit at Clark College has come out of a long-term relationship we’ve established with the NAACP Vancouver and multiple exhibit projects over the last five years. Our exhibit work started with Claudia Carter, who was chairing the Black History Month Committee, on an installation at the Vancouver Community Library.”

Richardson added, “Eventually, Claudia’s work transformed into an impactful timeline that celebrated Black History in Southwest Washington, which was installed out front of the museum between 2022 and 2023. Claudia passed away in 2022 and left an indelible mark of our local history. We were honored to be able to work with the NAACP Vancouver again this year on a new installation and continue to carry forward the legacy of Claudia Carter’s passion and advocacy for Black History here in Clark County.”

The Clark County Historical Museum invites all members of the community to visit the Clark College Bookstore during February to explore this powerful preview of Vancouver’s Black history and the significant role the NAACP Vancouver Branch has played in shaping the region.