WACO, Texas — A mini museum with a big mission is returning to Waco, bringing Black history, culture and community together under one roof.

The Mini Black History Museum is back for its fifth year at the Dewey Community Center, highlighting local leaders, powerful stories and generations of impact. The community center is once again being transformed into a living museum, celebrating Black history through the stories, faces and experiences that helped shape both Waco and the nation.

What began as a small display has grown into a community-wide effort.

“When we originally started this, it was just supposed to be us putting up some pictures for Black History Month,” said Felicia Bible, a museum organizer. “Somebody said, ‘No, you’re doing a museum,’ and once we started, people wanted to donate — family items, memorabilia, stories.”

Those donations now include rare Negro League Baseball memorabilia, local artifacts, photographs, books and rotating display cases that highlight African American leaders from the past and present.

For organizers, the museum is about more than the exhibits themselves.

“It’s something different for people that are coming out — actually enjoying and learning new things that they may not have known about people in the city,” Bible said. “They may have seen these faces, but they hadn’t connected with them.”

This year’s museum carries added significance. The pop-up marks its fifth year in Waco and coincides with the centennial of Black History Month nationwide.

“This does mark the 100th year of celebrating Black History Month in the nation,” said Jimmy Gutierrez, supervisor of the Dewey Community Center. “It’s great to be here in this position, informing the youth and everyone about the importance of Black History Month.”

Bible said the museum’s purpose extends far beyond February.

“Black history is American history, and it goes every day — it’s not just for one month,” she said. “But it’s an honor and a blessing to be able to come together as a community and share it.”

The Mini Black History Museum opens Feb. 12 at the Dewey Community Center. Hours and additional details are available below:

M-Th: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (museum closed 3-6 p.m.)

Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (museum closed after 3 p.m.)

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.