Clothes Story at Mesa College Highlights African American Women’s Stories

September 16, 2025

"Clothes Story," an exhibition at Mesa College Art Gallery featuring replicated historical African American women's fashion from 1890-1963, opened last week to celebrate Black women's contributions to history. Curated by Kenneth Green, who drew inspiration from his seamstress mother and collected archival photographs over decades, the exhibit showcases authentic recreations of garments worn by notable figures like Coretta Scott King and Mahalia Jackson. The exhibition provided Mesa College Museum Studies students with valuable hands-on experience in exhibition setup and design.

Who is affected

Mesa College Museum Studies students
Exhibition attendees and community members
African American women whose stories are being told through the exhibition
Linda Kenney and other visitors with personal connections to the history represented
Future visitors, including children and grandchildren who will learn about this history

What action is being taken

Mesa College is hosting the "Clothes Story" exhibition through October 16
Students in the Museum Studies program are actively participating in exhibition setup and design
Kenneth Green is presenting and discussing the historical significance of the fashion pieces
Community members are engaging with and responding emotionally to the exhibition
Attendees like Linda Kenney are planning to bring younger generations to view the exhibit

Why it matters

The exhibition preserves and celebrates African American women's history during a time when "culture and history are under assault"
It highlights both well-known and lesser-known Black women as "agents of history and change"
The exhibit provides access to history that "might not otherwise be known"
It creates intergenerational connections and engagement among diverse community members
It offers Mesa College students practical career preparation through hands-on museum experience
The collection presents stories of "courage and resilience" in a "new and fresh way"

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint