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OUR MISSION

We aim to empower people to do what they love — dare to be different — and have fun.
We inspire creativity, diversity, and imagination through the fusion of the arts, science, and sports.

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“Seeing the joy on people’s faces when they make a connection makes everything worth it.”


~ Ted Spero, President, O Museum in The Mansion

HOW WE HELP

The story of O Museum in The Mansion

We are committed to sustaining our programs
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit we are asking for your support to achieve these goals.

Text GIVE to 202.830.1769 to Donate

EVERY STEP TELLS A STORY

We weave storytelling, the arts, music, sports, science, and history into each program to guide our individual journey's toward understanding. Our programs focus on healing systemic racism — and disparity — by promoting human rights through compassion and understanding. We provide tools for children to better themselves, for individuals to find understanding, and for companies to add depth, context, and solutions to all levels of their organization.

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Healing Through Music & Storytelling
(Total funding needed $575,000/year)

 

These programs promote understanding and unity through the arts. From gender and politics to religion and race — the world is more divided today than it has ever been. We believe music has the power to unite us — it can teach, it can heal, and it can change hearts.

Learn more

1

Education & Empowerment
(Total funding needed $360,000/year)

 

Mrs. Parks believed deeply in civic responsibility. Her work included active participation in the community, with a focus on the common good. Our multi-tiered education and empowerment programs (for youth of all ages) uphold values that include justice, freedom, equality, diversity beyond color, human rights, tolerance, and self-respect.

Learn more

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Artist-In-Residence & Heroes Program
(Total funding needed $250,000/year)

 

The O Museum provides a haven for the heart and soul (at no cost) for soldiers, service people, first responders and all those who are giving of themselves to serve others. Mrs. Rosa Parks stayed with us on and off from 1994 to 2003 as part of our Heroes Program.

 

Every year for the past 45 years we have provided (on average) over 1,000 free room nights a year  When you stay at The Mansion you are supporting these important programs.

Learn more

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Did You Know?

"The mother of the civil rights movement" Mrs. Rosa Parks, her staff, and friends stayed with us on and off from 1994 to 2003 as part of our heroes program.
Since 1980, over $4M has
gone to support this program.

4

Art & Literature Programs
(Total funding needed $85,000/year)

 

Art and literature are critical components to building empathy and driving change. These programs help bridge the divide using art and literature to promote conversation about our shared experiences and important social, political, historical, and environmental topics.

Learn more

RIGHT: Mrs. Rosa Parks on the steps of O Museum in The Mansion greeting well wishers

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Did You Know?

O Museum was designated as a 20th Century Civil Rights site on The African American Heritage Trail.

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RIGHT: Washington, DC mayor Muriel Bowser at the dedication ceremony for O Museum in The Mansion's inclusion

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51 Steps To Freedom Trail
(Total funding needed $85,000/year)

 

51 Steps To Freedom® is the 1st trail of it’s kind uniting DC — from Anacostia to Georgetown — and back again. It combines history, storytelling, digital and traditional art, music — and cutting edge technology — to inspire, educate, and tell the stories of the hidden figures and places in DC that continue to shape America’s journey for freedom and equality. 

Learn more

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Did You Know?

51 Steps To Freedom originated as a program at O Museum in The Mansion

and is now powered by it. 

We are also the organization that filed to make BLM Plaza a historic site on the African American Heritage Trail

RIGHT: BLM Plaza Washington, DC

We are committed to sustaining our programs
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit we are asking for your support to achieve these goals.

Text GIVE to 202.830.1769 to Donate

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An Evening of
Virtual Music and Storytelling

for the arts & social justice

PRESENTED BY O MUSEUM IN THE MANSION

This virtual event features appearances by artists, performers, and storytellers from all walks of life. It also features school children who have been inspired by our programs. 

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President, USA For Africa

Marcia Thomas

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Rock Hall Inductee

Tom Constanten

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Winner of 13 Grammys

Emmylou Harris

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Oscar & Grammy Winner 

Paul Williams

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Grammy Winner

Esperanza Spalding

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Songwriter Hall of Fame

JD Souther

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Grammy Winner

Darius Rucker

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Grammy Winner

Mark Bryan

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Grammy Nominees 

Milk Carton Kids

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Chairman, DC Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Carolyn Rudd

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Master Magician

Richard Bloch

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Exec. Dir. Ronald Regan Foundation & Best Selling Author

John Heubusch

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Rolling Stones & Allman Brothers Band

Chuck Leavell

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Singer/Songwriter 

Jim Lauderdale

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Exec. Director, Nat. Trust For The Humanities

Anneliesa C. Alprin

Help Us, Help Others.

Here's your chance to help O Museum continue our important work addressing human rights, disparities, and systemic racism. O Museum is in critical need of funding to support our education and self-empowerment programs that drive civic responsibility and heal the soul through music and storytelling.

Every Step Tells A Story: Juneteenth 2022

Every Step Tells A Story: Juneteenth 2022

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