The Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (ACE) is partnering with The Henry Ford Museum on Manela: The Official Exhibition.

1 p.m. Monday, November 13 ACE will host a conversation with Christo Brand, the South African Author and former prison guard at Robben Island Prison.

4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, November 9 ACE will distribute free tickets to the Exhibit at the Frederick Douglass Library, 3666 Grand River

The Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship is partnering with The Henry Ford on Mandela: The Official Exhibition, and will host a conversation at 1 p.m. Monday, November 13 with Christo Brand, the South African author, and Mandela’s former prison guard.

The collaboration represents a significant milestone in both organizations' shared mission to promote cultural enrichment, education and community engagement while fostering a deeper appreciation for history, innovation and the arts.

"We are proud to join hands with the City of Detroit's Office of Arts, Culture, and Entrepreneurship to expand access to The Henry Ford's exceptional collections, educational programs and enriching experiences,” said Patricia Mooradian, President and CEO of The Henry Ford. “This partnership embodies our commitment to reaching a broader and more diverse audience, ensuring that all Detroit residents can benefit from the incredible stories of American innovation and ingenuity that our institution has to offer."

To kick off the partnership, ACE and The Henry Ford are teaming up to host “Nelson Mandela” Leadership Lessons for Today,” an author talk and panel discussion featuring Riley, The Henry Ford’s Chief Learning Officer Lucie Howell and authors Christo Brand and Andrew Russell.

Brand was only 19 years old when he began working at Robben Island in 1978 and became responsible for guarding Nelson Mandela during his lifetime sentence. In 1982, 

Brand was transferred along with Mandela to Pollsmoor Prison, where the pair developed a close friendship over the course of many years. Brand is the co-author of Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend. In 2018, he retired from his post at Robben Island to pursue storytelling full time.

As part of the partnership, The Henry Ford is encouraging Detroiters to visit the exhibit on the life of Mandela because Detroit was one of the Mandela's first stops in June 1990 after he was released from prison. Detroit ACE will distribute hundreds of free exhibit tickets from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, November 9 at the Frederick Douglass Library, 3666 Grand River. The tickets are good through the January 2024

“"This collaboration with The Henry Ford aligns with the City's mission to ensure that Detroiters have access to all opportunities to experience arts and culture, wherever they are," said ACE Director Rochelle Riley.  "Because of Nelson Mandela's unique connection to Detroit and his visit here in 1990, this exhibit will give Detroiters a tangible re-connection to the extraordinary life of a global icon."
 

For more information about the conversation, visit: https://www.thehenryford.org/current-events/calendar/nelson-mandela-leadership-lessons-for-today 

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