Guru Experience Co., the app specialist for the cultural sector, is teaming up with History Colorado to produce a digital Black Heritage Trail. The two organisations have designed a new mobile app that engages the public on the wider history of Colorado, US.
Dexter Nelson II is the associate curator of black history and cultural heritage at History Colorado. He explains: “We are creating the app because too often, the contributions made by African Americans have been discredited, whitewashed, or completely ignored altogether.
“This is an opportunity to teach people new things and to combat the all-to-common white supremacist narrative history often falls victim to.
“There is a need to promote, preserve, and explore the impact African Americans have had in the West. People need to know that there were Black cowboys, pioneers, and entrepreneurs that helped shape our country.”
Wide influence
The app comprises verbal histories and documentation from the collection of History Colorado, alongside other media related to exploring the Black experience in the area.
Content within the application is separated into four regions that explore a collection of topics from All-Black homesteading communities and pioneers in industries, politics, and pop culture. The app offers a comprehensive virtual experience in addition to directing users to physical locations related to content.
Nelson II says: “Working with Guru Experience Co. has been wonderful. They are available when I need them and they are great about clearly communicating expectations and what’s needed to make the project successful. Their team is very professional, organised and dedicated; with Guru, I don’t stress about the project because I know it is in good hands.”
Empathy and understanding
The new app forms one part of History Colorado’s wider mission to engage audiences with Black history and heritage through a range of programs and events.
“History Colorado is on a mission to make sure all voices are included in how we, as a society, view history. This holistic approach makes our history stronger, more accurate, and creates more empathy and understanding for each other,” adds Nelson II.
The new app will launch on Juneteenth 2022, 19 June, available for download for both iOS and Android devices. Once installed, it can be used onsite, throughout Colorado, or at home.
Earlier this year, Guru Experience Co. announced that it has expanded its platform offering with the addition of digital ticketing and a new membership portal.