On Friday (July 12), African American history museum founder, Sadie Roberts-Joseph, was found dead inside the trunk of a car.
According to a new report from NPR, the 75-year-old’s body was discovered in the trunk of a car about three miles from her home. According to the news outlet, investigators are still determining the cause of death.
In 2001, Roberts-Joseph founded the Odell S. Williams Now & Then African American Museum. The museum features exhibits of African art and tells the stories of minority inventors. There are also displays of historical artifacts dating back from the civil rights era.
In addition to founding the African American history museum, Roberts-Joseph also founded a nonprofit organization, Community Against Drugs and Violence. Roberts-Joseph made it a point to celebrate Juneteenth every year in an effort to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the American South.
After the news hit social media, fans shared heartfelt messages on Twitter. They explained that Roberts-Joseph deserves to be recognized for all of her efforts throughout the years.
“Somebody really murdered Sadie Roberts-Joseph,” one Twitter user wrote. “She was one of the last black oral street historians of Baton Rouge and dedicated her life to telling the story of freedom fighters in my hometown with the most beautiful art. Rest in Power, Miss Sadie. You didn’t deserve this.”
Blair Imani explained on Twitter that she is disheartened over the death of her former mentor. “This morning I woke up to the horrible news that my mentor Sadie Roberts-Joseph was murdered and was found in the trunk of a vehicle on Friday evening,” she wrote. “My heart is broken. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajun – We belong to Allah and to Allah we shall return. Ameen.”
We will provide more updates as the story unfolds.