WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Anacostia Community Museum, a cornerstone of Black cultural heritage in Southeast D.C., is facing a funding crisis that could threaten its future as an independent institution. Following federal budget cuts, local residents, community leaders, and supporters are mobilizing to defend the museum from being absorbed into the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
For longtime D.C. resident Crystal Overby, the museum represents more than just an educational destination. It’s a cultural pillar. On July 5, Overby brought her 13-year-old son, Topey, to the museum to help him earn a Boy Scouts art merit badge—a trip that held personal meaning.
“I grew up in Southeast,” said Overby, 54. “We as Black people don’t have a lot of places where we can explore our culture. Our kids need those places. Kids love culture, and they should have places to go to learn more about their history.”…