The dramatic impact of this historical photograph is undeniable. In one collective image, through the use of photographic collage, “Emancipation” captures the dramatic record of African-Americans throughout 300 years of history in America.

This is the underlying tenet of the National Black Child Development Institute of Washington, D.C., it was the inspiration for the creation of the "Emancipation" mural by Mr. Julian B. Madyun, President of MADELA Publishing Inc., of Atlanta, Ga. in the early 1970's, and it is the driving force for MADELA Publishing's existence, even into this new millennium. 

In 1984 we conducted a "cultural awareness and identity" survey in the Oakland, Ca. school district. Of the black students, 80% scored low levels of cultural awareness. This score did not improve with age or education. The students were ages ten to eighteen, in grades 5 through 12--it was heartbreaking!  (Executive summary available upon request.)

We have dedicated our lives to perpetuating African-American cultural pride and dignity, and removing the negative stereotypical imagery of our people. To this end, we implore you to join us in a quest, which will prove for some to be culturally enlightening and to others a total revelation.

"Emancipation" is not totally inclusive.  We would need a mural ten miles long to accomplish that!  However, we have tried to include those persons who are representative of a particular sphere of activity or involvement. 

"Emancipation" is one of the most important and unique collections of historical figures ever published. The dramatic impact of a historical photograph is undeniable. In one collective image, through the use of photographic collage, "Emancipation" captures the myriad contributions of African-Americans throughout 300 years of history in America.

We believe its presence in the home will serve as a positive reminder of the total involvement of African-Americans in the formation of American and world history.