Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Foundation |
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| 31 Old Solomons Island Road, Suite 102 | |
| Annapolis, MD 21401-3897 | |
| 410-841-6920 | |
| Hours: | |
| What's nearby: | |
The Kunta Kinte -- Alex Haley Foundation was established to foster
exploration, rediscovery and preservation of African-American heritage. The
Foundation grew from Haley's mission to uncover the story of his ancestor,
Kunta Kinte, who arrived in Annapolis on a cargo ship in 1767. Haley's
research on his ancestors and slavery led to the publication of "Roots,"
which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. In 1979
"Roots" also became a mini-series, which inspired many African-Americans to
delve into their own family histories.
The Foundation's goals include the creation of a lasting memorial to Kinte and Haley in downtown Annapolis. The Foundation supports efforts to explore, document, and present African-American history, art and culture. Through an endowment fund and competitive scholarships, the Foundation promotes educational and research efforts aimed at studying certain African-American individuals, or African studies in general. In this manner, the Foundation hopes to instill in African-Americans a desire to research and examine their own "roots" and cultural heritage.
This site features a statue of Haley reading to a group of children, as well as a story wall with passages from Roots. --Meital Waibsnaider
