THE DIGITAL REPOSITORY FOR THE BLACK EXPERIENCE
"The Lord is the strength of my life."
Noted filmmaker and museum founder Dan A. Moore, Sr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 20, 1935. After high school, Moore worked in several jobs, but found his true calling in 1967 when he began producing films.
His first film was a documentary entitled On Patrol for God, filmed at a Christian rally he helped to organize. A few years later, Moore went to Liberia on Africa's west coast and made the film Welcome Home, which was sponsored by the Liberian government on the condition that he return and make a second film, which he did. He would return to Africa and travel to several other countries, as well. He later made films featuring Bill Cosby and Gale Sayers, among others. Moore also produced, wrote, and directed The Journey, Sweet Auburn Street of Pride, and A New Time for a New Voice.
During the early 1970s Moore spent time as president of Image 7 Inc. in Atlanta, and Omega Films in Philadelphia. In 1978, Moore founded the African American Panoramic Experience Museum (APEX) in Atlanta, which seeks to educate people about the depth and breadth of the African American experience. His inspiration for the museum came as he attended a banquet honoring Dr. Benjamin Mays, and he dedicated himself to creating a museum that celebrates the unsung heroes of the African American experience. At the time of the interview, he remains there as executive director.