The Copeland African American Museum is a cultural destination that both respects the past and transforms the way we see the future,” shared Ashley Braswell, development director for the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration, which oversees the day-to-day operations of the museum. “It is just one way our university is building bridges, bringing attention to diversity and inclusion, and shining a light on African American tribulations and triumph.
The refreshed learning experience includes a tribute to Sugar Ray Robinson, an athlete known for his speed, power, and wit inside the boxing ring, which earned him the title of Greatest Boxer of All Time.It also includes a guitar signed by Ellas McDaniel, better known as Bo Diddley, a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and music producer who drove music into a new era — Blues to Rock and Roll — and influenced such greats as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly, George Thorogood, and The Clash.
In 2016 Roy and Cheryl Copeland gifted their entire African American memorabilia collection to VSU’s Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business Administration.The Copeland African American Museum collection spans more than 150 years of history and features more than 75 pieces, which the Copelands began collecting in 1989 when Cheryl Copeland surprised Roy Copeland with a set of autographed Muhammad Ali boxing gloves for Christmas. She continued to select a unique piece of history for him every year, and soon the couple began collecting even more African American memorabilia at live auctions, online auctions, garage sales, antique houses, and more.