“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.
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Education & Social Justice
(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 uphold values that include justice, freedom, equality, diversity beyond color, human rights, tolerance, and self-respect.
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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 40+ 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.
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.
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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.
RIGHT: Mrs. Rosa Parks on the steps of O Museum in The Mansion greeting well wishers
Did You Know?
O Museum was designated as a 20th Century Civil Rights site on The African American Heritage Trail.
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
(Total funding needed $85,000/year)
First ever trail of its kind — combining history, art, culture, and technology to inspire, educate, to tell the story of America’s journey for freedom, equality, and representation — in 51 historic stops (steps).
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.
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.
President, USA For Africa
Marcia Thomas
Rock Hall Inductee
Tom Constanten
Winner of 13 Grammys
Emmylou Harris
Oscar & Grammy Winner
Paul Williams
Grammy Winner
Esperanza Spalding
Songwriter Hall of Fame
JD Souther
Grammy Winner
Darius Rucker
Grammy Winner
Mark Bryan
Grammy Nominees
Milk Carton Kids
Chairman, DC Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Carolyn Rudd
Master Magician
Richard Bloch
Exec. Dir. Ronald Regan Foundation & Best Selling Author
John Heubusch
Rolling Stones & Allman Brothers Band
Chuck Leavell
Singer/Songwriter
Jim Lauderdale
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.