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BRACEVILLE -- The Braceville African American Heritage Museum opened its doors this past weekend to not only celebrate the museum's second anniversary but also welcome former residents back to the community.
Gwen Shavers, one of the founders of the BAAHM, said the weekend was a reunion of current and past Braceville residents who also had the opportunity to tour the museum.
"We have been so fortunate the way the community has supported us and the museum. It is important to make people aware of our heritage and history. It has been very touching for the people to support us," Shavers said.
She said the weekend started off with a meet and greet on Friday with a gathering all day Saturday at the museum and grounds and then a church service at First Baptist Church of Braceville on Sunday.
Shavers said for the reunion the theme was "Let Us All Go Back to the Old Landmark."
"This weekend was a Braceville homecoming for people to stop for the weekend. People who grew up in the community were able to come home. Some may be here for the first time and have not had the chance to see the museum," Shavers said.
The museum, located off Cedar Street, showcases the accomplishments of Braceville residents in various fields.
Earline Brooks of Shaker Heights said she and her husband, Ike, said they try to participate as much as they can in events in Braceville.
Ike Brooks said they have been to many events at the museum and were there for the opening in 2024.
"We wanted to be here for the celebration and whenever we can," Ike Brooks said.
Shavers said many people also came back this weekend to attend a funeral and stopped by the museum.
"Many of the people had relatives who lived in this neighborhood or whose grandparents are from here," she said.
Shavers said being able to share the stories of the local residents' lives with the whole community and valley "is vital for people to understand and realize we are all more alike than different."
Shavers said in September 2027, there are plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the boxing fight between Earnie Shavers and Muhammad Ali.
"It will be around the same time as our third anniversary. Earnie's daughter had spoken to me and wants to plan something big," she said.
Shavers said not many people know about black history, as far as the families and what their lives were like.
"It's really great to be able to share our stories. We have so many interesting lives, and we got so many interesting and notable people that came from this little community. We just wanted to preserve our history and share our community story," she said
Terry Shavers, co-founder of the BAAHM, said he was excited that people came back home for the weekend reunion with many having lived in the local housing development.
"We have not had a neighborhood reunion for some time. That is what this is about and celebrating the second anniversary of the museum," he said.
Shavers said on Saturday at Oak Hill Cemetery and the Tyler History Center in Youngstown, there will be a program involving the BAAHM which he said will be the last event for the year.
Leroy Shavers, 87, of Braceville, said he was excited to be among the oldest people at the reunion.
"I am the oldest one of the Shavers family here. It is nice to get to see people I have not seen for awhile," Shavers said.
Stephanie Bradley said her grandmother, Jeannette Shavers, grew up in the neighborhood.
She said she attended a funeral and then came over to the museum with her twin nephews, John and Paul Bradley, 7, from Baltimore, Maryland.
"I had an aunt and other family members from Braceville. It is nice to see where many of my relatives lived," she said.
Triana Bishop said her father, Les Toles, and her uncle, Ted Toles, are from Braceville and was a main reason she wanted to see the museum and the items honoring them.