After more than two decades of dreaming, planning, and perseverance, the Stark County Black History Museum is finally taking shape. At the forefront of this historic initiative is Dr. Tameka Ellington (a SCMBA member and past ERA participant) and the museum’s first Curator.

“The establishment of the museum started more than 20 years ago,” said Dr. Ellington. “A group of Black community members and non-Black advocates came together to discuss what it would take to create a permanent exhibition of Stark County’s Black history. For years, we’ve had temporary displays, but nothing that offered a comprehensive, permanent home for the community’s story.”

Today, thanks to the efforts of the Committee to Preserve Stark County’s Black History (a dedicated group of about 20 community members) the museum is moving forward with purpose. Dr. Ellington’s appointment marks a major milestone. “They raised the funds, built the foundation, and hired me to spearhead this incredible project,” she explained. “I have the honor of building an immersive exhibition that will reflect not just people and events, but the historical societal phenomena that shaped the Black community here, from early settlers to today’s treasured leaders.”

Dr. Ellington is determined to present an inclusive narrative. “Telling a full, authentic, in-depth story of the history of the Black community is the main goal and focus for me,” she said. “We will feature those who migrated north with the Quakers, those who aided the Underground Railroad, the experiences of redlining and segregation, the vibrancy of neighborhoods before urban renewal, and the legacies of Black businesses, churches, and entertainers who empowered their communities.”

She’s also asking the community to get involved in shaping this history. “Right now, I have an open call for community members to contribute family treasures, anything that reflects the Black experience in Stark County,” she shared. “We’re looking for items like old NAACP or Urban League banners, stained glass windows from churches, historical uniforms, and even everyday objects that capture how life was lived.”

The museum will serve not only as a historical archive but also as a cultural and educational hub. “Throughout history, Black people have been erased,” said Dr. Ellington. “Our struggles and our triumphs often go unmentioned. This museum is a space to reclaim those narratives and put them proudly on display, for all of Stark County, and beyond.”

Her early outreach has led to partnerships with institutions like Malone University, where a collaborative oral history project is underway that will culminate in a documentary. Kent State Stark is also on board, with a professor contributing research on Black sports history. Additional support is coming from the Urban League, the Massillon Museum, local churches, and individual historians.

“We’ve already received our first historical object from Urban League CEO Thomas West,” she noted. “The response from the community has been incredible. There’s such a sense of excitement and a willingness to partner and preserve.” The museum’s first exhibition, “A Legacy Revived: Exploring Stark County’s Rich Black History,” is scheduled to open on Juneteenth 2026. This show will serve as a preview of the permanent exhibition planned for February 2028.