History of Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum

The Sojourner TruthMulticultural ArtsMuseum has been actively involved with youth and young adults in the South Sacramento area since 1996 when it developed numerous creative arts programs under the National Academic Youth Corps.  Its purpose was to enable youth from culturally diverse backgrounds to stretch their minds and imaginations and to provide a safe environment that stimulates creativity, promotes healthy lifestyles, and develops social skills.  After obtaining a 501C non-profit status in 2002, Sojourner Truth Center has offered scores of no- or low-cost programs, workshops, and activities on site and out in the community to thousands of youth.  The Center’s programs have positively affected the lives of its participants and the cultural environment of the community. 

The Art Museum was founded as collaboration between Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum and the Florin Business Arts Complex where the Museum is housed.  It offers a diverse spectrum of theme-oriented murals, art installations, exhibitions, events and programs representing African American, Mexican, Latino, Asian, Alaskan, Pacific Islander, Eastern, and Native Cultures.

Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum (also known as SOJO Museum) was awarded official Sacramento Museum status in 2008, and in February 2009, participated very successfully in the highly attended Sacramento Free Museum Day. 

History of Sojourner Truth

The Multicultural Arts Museum and Development Center, representing diversity and progress, is named for Sojourner Truth who, although born a slave, worked tirelessly for abolition, women’s rights, non-violence, and civil and economic advancement of oppressed people. 

Born Isabella Baumfree circa 1797, she escaped from slavery as a young woman and by the 1840s had become a powerful speaker against slavery.  Uneducated but deeply spiritual, she explained her choice of the name Sojourner Truth, “I felt God called me to travel the land ... being a sign unto them.”  Throughout her life, Sojourner was passionate about advancing suffrage for all people.  During the Civil War, she gathered supplies for black volunteer regiments and, in tribute to her efforts, was received at the White House by President Lincoln in 1864.  She was appointed that same year to the National Freedman's Relief Association where she worked diligently to better conditions for African-Americans.  Recognized and acclaimed by numerous important figures in history such as Harriet Beecher Stowe and Frederick Douglas, she met with two presidents—Lincoln and Grant—in the White House, and had U. S. senators sign her Book of Life in senate chambers.  She continued to travel and speak out for human and civil rights well into her senior years until her death in 1883.

The Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum is aptly named for this outstanding woman whose life inspires us to celebrate and develop the spirit and diversity of all people through programs and services designed to strengthen and stimulate creativity.  It is our desire to offer the widest scope of programming to our community, and we continue to seek resources and encourage the involvement of those who share our vision. 

We invite you to join us in spreading our wings with Sojourner Truth.

"Art is Business"