For over 35 years, Bernard Kinsey and his wife Shirley have amassed a collection of art and history that documents the African American experience from 1595 to the Civil Rights era. As part of Destination Graduation’s sharing of best practices, and to celebrate African American History Month, the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) and Modesto City Schools have invited Bernard Kinsey to discuss “The Kinsey Collection” at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $5 and are available at Galloarts.org or may be purchased at the box office at 1000 I St., Modesto.

The Kinsey Collection contains authentic artifacts, documents, books, letters, manuscripts, photographs and art, telling the story of struggle, achievement and contributions of African Americans. The award-winning collection has been displayed in 18 museums throughout the country, most recently exhibiting at the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, and is currently at Walt Disney World on display through 2018.

Through a powerful and engaging interactive presentation, Kinsey will give a virtual tour of the objects and periods in history featured in the collection. His presentation will help fill in the gaps of standard education by highlighting the many and often untold stories of African American achievement and contribution. Also discussed during the presentation will be the contributions by Hispanic and Asian Americans. During his presentation, Kinsey will introduce the “myth of absence” concept that has played a significant role in America’s view of African Americans.