ABOUT THE JA3M
The Juneteenth African American Arts Museum and Repository (JA3M) is the next step in TSEJA's (Tri State Expo Juneteenth Affairs, Inc.) journey towards equitable and historically accurate representation of African Americans and BIPOC community members who are descendants of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the South. Since 2020, the nonprofit has committed itself to educating the community, liberating minds, and celebrating art and culture, as well as entrepreneurial spirit, within Southeast Alabama and beyond. From bringing the largest Juneteenth parade to Southeast Alabama, to creating a business expo for minority owned businesses and nonprofits annually, to providing over $130,000.00 in artistic revitalization, to the upwards of $25,000.00 in scholarships through the Miss Juneteenth County scholarship program--we can't help but think bigger and push harder to ensure the children of the Transatlantic Slave Trade feel seen, heard, and valued through opportunities otherwise difficult to obtain. Learning about the old (from laws to stories of civil triumph), embracing the current journey, and investing in promising futures has been our cadence. How do we convince others to follow? Simple: by making it tangible!
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Rather than creating something new, our Executive Director & Founder envisioned TSEJA's home inside the historic Dixe Depot Community (soon to be Arts District)! In 2024, the creative leader was drawn to an old meatpacking facility in the area, dilapidated yet brimming with promise. With determination and faith, TSEJA secured the building in the summer of 2026, completing the first step toward building the future museum, theatre, and gallery.
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Fast forward to new renderings provided by Donofro Architect and a construction team to rival all teams, JNB Construction. The team is working to secure funding to complete the project. From the Board to the Administrative Team, we know the power of this project -of practicing what is preached. Community impact happens from the inside out, so we're happily MOVING IN!
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Located in the Historic Dixie Depot Community in Dothan, Alabama, the JA3M facility will display African American history, the history of Juneteenth , information on enslaved West Africans and their descendants , and modern art pieces & collections from artists outside the Dothan area. Additionally, the JA3M will have an art gallery with artistic works for sale from artists at the emergent to advanced levels of artistry. This museum will also allow members to come in and record their stories for future generations depositing them into the Repository.
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We are excited for you to welcome our next era of change through the JA3M. Follow our journey on social media or considet making a donation to our organization.
Visionary Perspective
We want to tell an old story about our history in a new way--right here in Dothan, AL. The JA3M will not only give us a way to tell that story, but to foster change and healing along the way.
-Evangeline Reynolds-Gunn,
Executive Director & Founder of TSEJA
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TELLING THE STORY. HEALING THE COMMUNITY.
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Our Mission
To serve as a clear reflection of the revitalization of the mind, purpose, soul, architecture, and human connection through the use of art in the form of music, canvas work, African American Juneteenth history beginning in the 19th century, and community.