January/February 2010

Dear Friends,

Seattle has been my home since 1970 and like you, I have a deep respect and enormous passion for our precious Northwest African American Museum. I've served on NAAM's Board of Directors for 4 years and I am delighted that we will be celebrating NAAM's 2nd anniversary in March.

NAAM's success depends on all of us. I encourage you to become a member if you haven't already, and please forward this to a friend or family member and encourage them to join as well. We want to grow our membership in 2010 from 300 members to 400 — please help us meet this significant goal!

Thanks to the continuing generosity of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, every dollar you donate to NAAM in 2010 will be matched by the Gates Foundation up to $100,000. With your support, we were successful in 2009 and raised over $100,000 to match this generous grant that helps fund the day-to-day expenses of NAAM. Also, you may work for a business or corporation like Microsoft, Costco, Nordstrom, or Walmart — that match employee contributions — please check with your HR office and increase the impact of your gift.

Don’t miss NAAM’s current exhibition “East by Northwest,” an amazing exploration of Ethiopian culture and history in Seattle and the region. This exhibition — three years in the making — is a source of pride for all of us, including our Ethiopian-American community. Please join us at NAAM in February and throughout the year to enjoy unique exhibitions and participate in events and programs that connect us all.

Melkam Amet Lehulachin – Blessed New Year for all of us!

Ezra Teshome
Secretary, NAAM Board of Directors