What does it mean to be free? A new exhibition at the African American Museum Dallas invites visitors to explore that question through the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, the South African leader whose lifelong fight against apartheid helped reshape a nation. “Mandela: The Official Exhibi tion” takes visitors on a journey through Mandela’s experiences, highlighting his commitment to peaceful protest and his pursuit of freedom and equality. The exhibition uses photographs, artifacts and interactive elements to immerse visitors in Mandela’s story and the challenges he faced throughout his life. “Mandela would question a lot of things,” said Lakeem Wilson, Associate Curator at the African American Museum Dallas. Museum leaders say the exhibit also draws connections between apartheid in South Africa and racial segregation in the United States. “The Afrikaners used the playbook of Jim Crow and slavery to institute the institution of apartheid,” said President and CEO of the museum, Lisa Brown Ross. Visitors are encouraged to engage directly with some artifacts as a way to better understand the weight of Mandela’s struggle, including the 27 years he spent in prison. Ross said one of the most remarkable aspects of Mandela’s legacy is how he emerged from prison focused on reconciliation rather than revenge. “And that he emerged from that experience and not hating but rather using hope for reconciliation, that’s amazing to me,” said Ross. The exhibition also highlights Mandela’s efforts to unite South Africans through sports. “He actually used soccer as a means to reconcile South Africa,” said Ross. As visitors arrive in North Texas for the FIFA World Cup, museum leaders hope Mandela’s story inspires them with lessons of courage, hope and unity. “I want people to leave with hope, courage,” said Ross. The African American Museum has expanded its hours for the Mandela exhibition. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free. The exhibition runs through Nov. 1. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication. ...read more read less