Comedian Seeks Support for Slavery Museum
September 25, 2006 | Read Time: 1 minute
Comedian Bill Cosby said last week that he wants every American to donate $8 to help build the U.S. National Slavery Museum, in Fredericksburg, Va., the Associated Press reports.
Mr. Cosby, who has pledged $1-million to the museum, helped L. Douglas Wilder, the mayor of Richmond, Va., announce a new campaign to raise $100-million toward the museum’s $200-million cost.
The museum, which has been in the works for more than 10 years, has raised about $50-million. Mr. Wilder said the $8 figure was chosen to symbolize the shape of the shackles that bound slaves. In addition, he said the group hoped that it would also represent “infinite freedom,” Mr. Wilder said.
Read The Chronicle of Philanthropy ’s article about black museums.
