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Jun 16, 20261
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Dallas exhibit brings Nelson Mandela’s fight for freedom to life
The African American Museum Dallas is hosting "Mandela: The Official Exhibition," a show that uses artifacts and interactive displays to tell the story of Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid and his commitment to reconciliation. Museum leaders also draw links between apartheid and racial segregation in the United States, and say the exhibit is meant to inspire visitors ahead of World Cup-related travel in North Texas.
Quick Facts
Who
Nelson Mandela
What
opened an exhibition on Nelson Mandela's life and legacy
When
through Nov. 1
Where
Dallas
- opened an exhibition on Nelson Mandela's life and legacy
- used photographs, artifacts and interactive elements to present Mandela's story
- drew connections between apartheid in South Africa and racial segregation in the United States
- highlighted Mandela's 27 years in prison
- emphasized Mandela's focus on reconciliation rather than revenge
A new exhibition at the African American Museum Dallas is highlighting the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, using photographs, artifacts and interactive displays to trace his struggle against apartheid and his push for freedom and equality. The show, titled "Mandela: The Official Exhibition," presents Mandela as a leader whose long campaign for justice reshaped South Africa.
Museum leaders said the exhibit also connects Mandela’s story to the history of racial segregation in the United States, drawing parallels between apartheid and systems of oppression in America. Lisa Brown Ross, president and CEO of the museum, said the Afrikaners "used the playbook of Jim Crow and slavery" to build apartheid.
Visitors are invited to engage with artifacts that help illustrate the burden of Mandela’s 27 years in prison. The exhibition also emphasizes his decision to emerge from imprisonment focused on reconciliation rather than revenge, a theme museum leaders say remains central to his legacy.
The exhibit additionally notes Mandela’s efforts to unite South Africans through sport, including soccer. With visitors in North Texas arriving for the FIFA World Cup, museum leaders said they hope the exhibition leaves audiences with lessons of hope, courage and unity. Admission is free, and the museum has expanded its hours for the exhibition, which runs through Nov. 1.
Why This Matters
For readers in North Texas, the exhibition is both a cultural event and a timely civics lesson: it connects global anti-apartheid history to U.S. racial history, offers a free, accessible museum visit, and may draw additional foot traffic tied to World Cup travel. If you are planning outings, school visits, or community programming, the expanded hours and limited run make it worth scheduling soon before it closes on Nov. 1.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 16, 2026
WireThe African American Museum Dallas continued showing "Mandela: The Official Exhibition" with free admission and expanded hours.
Jun 16, 2026
WireNBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth published a report on the Mandela exhibition in Dallas.