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Philadelphia's Black History Spectacular: America I Am

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(Dungeon doors from Cape Coast Castle, where captive Africans were housed under lock and key, sometimes for months at a time, awaiting ships that would take them to the New World. Referred to as "The Door of No Return," this is the final door they wereled through before boarding ships departing Ghana.)

Posted: Thursday, 29 January 2009 1:45PM

Part IV: Making the Vision a Reality

In this report, KYW's community affairs reporter Karin Phillips talks to Mark Lach, the man responsible for the design elements of the "America I Am" exhibition.

by KYW's Karin Phillips

Tavis Smiley, creator and presenter of "America I Am," says there was only one place to go when he understood exactly what he wanted.

"I did what I always do: I go to the people who know how to do what my vision is. And AEI, Arts and Exhibitions International -- better know as the King Tut people -- know how to do museum exhibitions."

Mark Lach (right) is AEI senior vice president:

"I have never been more moved, never been more committed, never been more passionate about something as I am about this exhibition."

Lach says it was most important to, as he says, get it right:

"And as you can tell, this is not a low-budget exhibition -- this is first class all the way. And we're proud of that, certainly, but anything less than that would have been a crime."

"America I AM, The African American Imprint" runs through May 3rd at the National Constitution Center, 5th and Arch Streets, on Independence Mall in Philadelphia.

Part I: Tavis Smiley, The Man With The Vision
In this report, KYW's community affairs reporter Karin Phillips talks to Tavis Smiley -- broadcaster, author, advocate, philanthropist, and also the presenter and creative force behind "America I Am."

Part II: Advisory Board Member Dr. Cornel West
In this report, Karin Phillips speaks to Dr. Cornel West, a professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University and one of America's most provocative philosophers.

Part III: Bringing the Artifacts Together
In this report, Karin Phillips speaks to the executive producer of "America I Am" and some of those who contributed artifacts to the exhibition.

Part IV: Making the Vision a Reality
In this report, Phillips talks to Mark Lach, the man responsible for the design elements of the "America I Am" exhibition.

Part V: The Doors Are Open!
In the final report of her series, KYW's community affairs reporter Karin Phillips speaks to National Constitution Center president and CEO Joseph Torsella and some of the first visitors into "America I Am."

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KYW's Black History Month Podcasts: Expanded Coverage!

African American History Series - Joseph Torsella
KYW community affairs reporter Karin Phillips speaks to Torsella about how the new exhibition could change the scope of future exhibitions at the Center and around the world. (3:55)

African American History Series - Mark Lach
KYW community affairs reporter Karin Phillips speaks to Lach about the particular challenges such an exhibition presents. (4:23)

African American History Series - John Fleming
Artifacts tell that story from beginning to end. KYW community affairs reporter Karin Phillips spoke with John Fleming, the exhibition's executive producer and President of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. (7:18)

African American History Series - Dr. Cornel West
KYW community affairs reporter Karin Phillips speaks to Dr. Cornel West, one of the nation's most provocative public intellectuals, professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University and on the advisory board of America I Am. (10:0

African American History Series - Tavis Smiley
KYW community affairs reporter Karin Phillips talks to Tavis Smiley, broadcaster, author, advocate and philanthrophist and also the presenter and creative force behind America I Am. (14:43)