Founder of African American Civil War Museum Speaks at Holy Redeemer School

On Thursday, February 16^th, students in the seventh and eighth grade classes participated in an assembly hosted by Frank Smith, Ph.D., founder and director of the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum. 

Dr. Smith is the grandfather of Destiny (8^th), Kelechi (7^th), and Angel (2^nd) Oparaocha, who currently attend Holy Redeemer Catholic School. The museum, located in Northwest Washington, officially opened this summer and serves to preserve and tell the stories of the United States Colored Troops and African American involvement in the American Civil War through a collection of primary resources, educational programming and technology, to create a meaningful learning experience focused on this pivotal time in American history.

During his four elected terms with the D.C. City Council, Dr. Smith laid the basic groundwork to establish a national memorial for African American troops who served in the Civil War. Fulfilling a lifelong dream to honor African Americans who fought for freedom as USCT, he oversaw the dedication of the African American Civil War Memorial in July 1998. Toward that goal, Dr. Smith used a lifetime of leadership experience to secure financing, District support, and the active involvement of public and private agencies to establish the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum.

We are blessed to have such a dynamic “Grandfather” in our Holy Redeemer Community.