The Inspirational Exhibition Of The Life & Accomplishments Of Entertainment Mogul Tyler Perry
Media mogul Tyler Perry was honored with a new exhibition at the Tubman African American Museum in Macon at a private, black-tie event on the eve of February 17, many dignitaries and locals from across Georgia, stepped out in their finest attire to show support to the first art exhibition that chronicles the life and work of Tyler Perry, the New Orleans native who established himself as a studio owner, filmmaker, actor, playwright, author and philanthropist in Atlanta in the early 1990s. The new exhibit highlights Perry’s story, from humble beginnings to billionaire media mogul.
“Five years ago, I had the idea to do a Tyler Perry exhibit, and tonight it’s happening,” Young said while getting emotional.
The exhibit has portraits of Tyler Perry’s childhood, his arrival from New Orleans to Atlanta and the now iconic images from his Madea movies and tv series.
CEO of Tyler Perry Studios, Robert A. Boyd II said he hopes this exhibit on Perry inspires others to reach their dreams.
“I hope it inspires everyone who comes out that no matter how low or high you get you can accomplish whatever you put your mind to.”
Boyd said that due to schedule constraints, Perry was unable to attend the event on Friday but that he was truly moved by the honor.
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked, ‘Why Macon?’ ‘Why Tubman?’’ said the museum’s executive director, Harold Young. “And I saw it immediately.”
“I was at an elementary school just recently,” he continued, “I was a Black History Month speaker. And I asked [the students]: ‘Who was Martin Luther King?’ The response: ‘Oh he was a great speaker.’ I said, ‘OK, what about Harriett Tubman?’ ‘She was an escaped slave.'”
“Is that it?!” Young recalled thinking, still obviously troubled by the students’ answers.
“The history’s not being taught,” he said. “History’s actually under attack. That’s why you need museums. You need places like this to teach history … And I wanted this place, this exhibit, to be an inspiration. Here is [Tyler Perry], a man those kids know, those kids see, who came from humble beginnings and became everything he wanted to be.” And what’s the Harriet Tubman/Tyler Perry connection, to Young?
“The one thing that Tyler Perry has always done is reach back and get other people; help other people,” explained the executive director who, while having worked on the exhibit for five years, still has yet to meet the mogul. “[Perry] tells a great story about him walking across the street, and there was a man who needed some help getting across. You always need somebody to help you get across.
“And like Harriet Tubman, when she got to a certain point in her life and she had her freedom she had escaped already but what did she do? She went back and got somebody. She made sure others were free, and that’s what we all need: to get some inspiration and reach back and bring others with us, as well.
For more information about the Tubman Museum contact (478) 743-8544.
