Future Drive Empowerment Center: The First African-American Museum, Educational Center And Recording Studio
A Living Legacy – The African American Museum of Chicago
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Our Work In The Community
The Future Drive Empowerment Center stands as a beacon of history, education, and artistic expression.
We preserve the past while empowering future generations through education, cultural expression, and community engagement.
Empower Our Mission: Your Support Builds Legacies
Your generous donations are vital to preserving African-American history, fostering education, and cultivating artistic talent. Every contribution directly supports our museum's exhibits, educational programs, and the state-of-the-art recording studio, creating opportunities for all.
Zelle: (773) 999-7171
Checks Payable to: Future Drive Empowerment Center/ Mail to: 6914 W. North Ave. Chicago, Il, 60707
In-Kind Donations or other Inquiries: Please contact us directly at fdecmuseum6914@outlook.com or (773) 999-7171
All contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by the law.
Thank you for investing in the Future Drive Empowerment Center and helping us continue to make a profound impact in our community.
Our Vision & Purpose
Cultural Excellence
Creating spaces that celebrate the highest expressions of African American culture and achievement
Educational Impact
Providing transformative learning experiences that challenge and inspire visitors of all ages
Community Empowerment
Serving as a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and positive social change in our communities
We are dedicated to preserving, honoring, and uplifting the rich, multifaceted history and contributions of African Americans. Our museum serves as more than a repository of artifacts—it's a living, breathing cultural hub where history informs our present and inspires our future.
Core Functions of the Museum
Exhibitions & Galleries
Our museum features permanent and rotating exhibits showcasing African American history, art, music, science, and local legends. These curated spaces tell compelling stories through artifacts, multimedia, and interactive displays.
Educational Programs
We offer dynamic workshops, lectures, youth programs, and maintain strong partnerships with schools. Our curriculum-aligned offerings help educators and students connect with African American history in meaningful ways.
Community Events & Forums
The museum hosts vibrant town halls, film screenings, spoken word nights, and panel discussions that foster dialogue and community connection around important cultural and social issues.
Archival & Research Center
Scholars, students, and community members can access our comprehensive collection of historical documents, oral histories, and digital archives that preserve crucial narratives for future generations.
How We Operate
Executive Leadership
Our director, program managers, and finance team provide strategic vision and sustainable operational management, ensuring the museum fulfills its mission while remaining financially viable.
Curatorial Team
Expert curators plan exhibits, manage artifact collections, and collaborate with guest curators to create engaging, educational, and emotionally resonant museum experiences.
Education & Outreach
Dedicated educators develop school programs, maintain community relationships, and conduct tours that make African American history accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.
Events & Marketing
This team manages our digital presence, creates promotional materials, and implements community engagement strategies to increase visibility and attendance.
12-Month Strategic Roadmap
(Jan-Apr)
January
Theme:
Martin Luther King Day
Empowerment Activity:
February
Theme:
Black History Month Facts
Empowerment Activity:
March
Theme:
Women's History Reflection
Empowerment Activity:
April
Theme:
Autism Awareness, World Health Awareness, & Motwon Review Showcase
Empowerment Activity:
Financial Literacy for Children
(May-Aug)
May
Theme:
National African American Fitness Awareness
Empowerment Activity:
June
Theme:
Juneteenth Pride, Black Music month, Black Rodeo
Empowerment Activity:
Know Your Black History Scholarship
July
Theme:
Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen Future Drive Annual Picnic
Empowerment Activity:
August
Theme:
Independence Day Reflections
Empowerment Activity:
Violence Prevention Community Summit, Back To School Giveaway
(Sept-Dec)
September
Theme:
Emancipation Proclamation, Booker Washington
Empowerment Activity:
October
Theme:
HBCU Awareness, Afrofuturism
Empowerment Activity:
Spoken Word For Teens, College Application Workshop
November
Theme:
Thanksgiving Facts
Empowerment Activity:
Senior Friendsgiving
December
Theme:
Kwanzaa Information
Empowerment Activity:
Toy Give-Away
Community Integration
Artist Collaborations
We partner with local African American artists to create exhibitions, installations, and community art projects that reflect our shared cultural heritage.
Youth Mentorship
Our structured mentorship programs connect young people with professionals, artists, and elders who provide guidance and inspire the next generation of leaders.
Business Support
We host regular pop-up markets featuring local Black businesses, providing economic opportunities and connecting entrepreneurs with new customers.
Strategic Partnerships
We maintain active collaborations with schools, HBCUs, and grassroots organizations to amplify our collective impact and reach.
Technology & Innovation
Virtual Experiences
Our state-of-the-art virtual tours and comprehensive digital archives make the museum's offerings accessible globally, reaching audiences beyond our physical location. These virtual experiences replicate the in-person museum journey with immersive 3D environments.
Interactive Exhibits
We leverage augmented reality technology and QR code integration to create dynamic, interactive exhibits that bring historical events and figures to life. These technologies allow visitors to engage deeply with content through personalized digital experiences.
Digital Storytelling
Our podcast series and digital storytelling initiatives feature elders, local historians, and community members sharing lived experiences and oral histories that might otherwise be lost to time.
Economic Empowerment Model
85%
Local Hiring
Percentage of staff hired from surrounding communities, creating meaningful employment opportunities
24
Resident Artists
Annual artists supported through our residency programs, receiving studio space and exhibition opportunities
$2.5M
Economic Impact
Estimated annual economic impact generated through events, tourism, and business partnerships
150+
Local Businesses
Black-owned businesses supported through vendor opportunities and promotional partnerships
Our economic model extends beyond traditional museum operations to create a sustainable ecosystem that generates wealth and opportunity within the African American community. By prioritizing local hiring, supporting artists, providing event spaces, and creating vendor opportunities, we're building economic resilience alongside cultural preservation.
KBA (Kids Basketball Association)
Our work creates tangible impact across generations, preserving cultural heritage while building pathways to future prosperity.
Senior Friendsgiving
Future Drive Stop The Violence
Kwanzaa Celebration
Legacy in Action
How does the museum preserve history?
Through our archival collections, oral history projects, and digital preservation initiatives, we ensure that crucial aspects of African American history and culture are documented for future generations. Our preservation work includes both physical artifacts and intangible cultural heritage like stories, traditions, and knowledge.
How does the museum build the future?
We build the future through our youth education programs, economic empowerment initiatives, and by creating spaces for dialogue about contemporary issues. By connecting historical struggles with present-day challenges, we equip our community with the knowledge and inspiration to create positive change.
How can I contribute to this legacy?
You can contribute by becoming a member, volunteering, donating artifacts or oral histories, attending events, or providing financial support. Every contribution, large or small, helps sustain our mission and expand our impact in the community.
"We are not just preserving the past. We are building the future, together."
Other Visions
We strive to innovate the mind and stimulate brain activity through images to cultivate a sense of vast imagination
These moments capture our mission in action: preserving stories, empowering creators, building economic opportunity, embracing innovation, and fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer.
© 2025 Future Drive Empowerment Center. All Rights Reserved.
Preserving History, Empowering Futures.
Designed By Kevin Sales