About Us

The Hidden History Museum is the country's first museum that specializes in featuring untold Black history that was deliberately omitted from popular discourse. 

The Hidden History Museum is the brainchild of activist and documentary film producer Tariq Nasheed. Nasheed produced a number of successful films that uncovered untold Black history, including the popular Hidden Colors film series. 

Nasheed decided to create the Hidden History Museum as an extension of his documentary films. 

The Hidden History Museum is situated in the cultural epicenter of Black Los Angeles. Located in Jefferson Park, this area is rooted in Black history. Biddy Mason, who is featured prominently in the museum, was an enslaved woman who got her freedom in Los Angeles and subsequently became one of the wealthiest women in California. The church she helped establish-First, AME- is the oldest Black church in Los Angeles, and the current location of the church is in Jefferson Park. The Black man who designed the modern version of the church was Paul Revere Williams, who also designed many significant buildings and structures around Los Angeles. 

The initial funding for the Hidden History Museum came from an Indiegogo Crowdfunding campaign, where over one million dollars was raised in one month for the museum. This type of grassroots support was indicative of the Black community's desire to have their history taught from the perspective of Black empowerment.