On a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Board of Supervisors today proclaimed October 30th “America I AM” Day in the County, promoting a traveling exhibit that teaches youths about the contributions of African Americans throughout history.

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas urged County residents and visitors to visit the “America I AM” exhibit, which will run from October 30 to April 15, 2010 at the California Science Center in Exposition Park on its third stop in a 10-city tour.

The exhibit is the brainchild of Tavis Smiley, a broadcaster, author, advocate and philanthropist. Scheduled to travel across the United States over the next four years, the interactive, multi-media exhibit chronicles the 500-year journey of the African Americans – from struggle to triumph.

Among the displays are rare artifacts, memorabilia, documents, photos and music. Notable artifacts include the doors to the Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, author Alex Haley’s typewriter used to write “Roots,” and the personal effects of Malcolm X.

The exhibit also encompasses an educational component developed by noted educators, which responds, in part, to a question asked by W.E.B. Du Bois in 1903 “Would America have been America without her Negro people?”

For more information, visit the America I AM website www.americaiam.org, where a teacher’s guide includes lesson plans, supplemental activities, and an extensive bibliography is available online.