Mission & History
Our Mission
Through compelling core exhibits, dynamic touring shows, educational and entertaining public programs, our mission is: “to create a community of lifelong learners who explore, experience and embrace the region's rich and enduring African-American heritage.”
Our Vision
To be the premier resource for Black history and culture in the Midwest.
Our History
The Griot is....
the first cultural institution in St. Louis that is solely dedicated to revealing the broad scope of Black History and culture. Only the second of its kind in the country, The Griot Museum of Black History opened as The Black World History Wax Museum in February 1997. In 2009, we hit upon what seems to be the perfect name “The Griot (pronounced “GREE-OH”) Museum of Black History ("The Griot”). Our new name more accurately reflects what we do -- collect, preserve, interpret, and share the stories, culture, and history of Black people - particularly highlighting their regional connection to American history.
The core galleries of The Griot include life-size wax figures, other art, artifacts, and memorabilia to help interpret the stories of Black people who have contributed to our country’s development. Visitors can “meet” and learn about Carter G. Woodson, Josephine Baker, Dred and Harriet Scott, Elizabeth Keckley, William Wells Brown, James Milton Turner, Clark Terry, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Rev. Earl. E. Nance Sr., Miles Davis, Madame C.J. Walker, York, Percy Green, Macler Shepard, Chief Sherman George, and others.
The Griot’s interpretative program includes an authentic slave cabin, originally built on the Wright-Smith plantation in Jonesburg, Missouri. Visitors can solve puzzles view documentary videos, and “board” a scale model section of a ship that replicates those used to transport Africans to America during the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The Museum hosts national and local touring arts and humanities exhibits. Community education programs, artists gallery talks, and cultural celebrations enhance The Griot’s community outreach efforts
The Sankofa
Our Name:
Originally named The Black World History Wax Museum, the organization changed its name to The Griot Museum of Black History (“The Griot”) in 2009. In some west African countries, the griot, is responsible for collecting and preserving the history that is of value and relevance to the community. A “living repository” of oral tradition, the griot is often seen as a societal leader who gathers and holds important invents such as births, deaths, marriages, and cultural traditions. The trusted griot often interprets or critiques events before presenting them to the village leaders. A historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician, the griot shares stories through a variety of formats. Likewise, The Griot Museum also collects, holds, preserves, and shares the stories, culture, and history of Black people.
Our Logo:
Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana that translates to "Go back and get it." It also refers to the Bono Adinkra symbol represented either with a stylized heart shape or by a bird with its head turned backwards while its feet face forward carrying a precious egg in its mouth.
