Purpose: Outreach to inform potential collectors and institutions about the availability of a life-size Paul Robeson painting that he sat for.
ABOUT PAUL ROBESON
Context for Outreach:
Paul Robeson (1898-1976) was one of the most significant African American cultural figures of the 20th century:
- Acclaimed actor and singer
- Civil rights activist
- Scholar and athlete
- Starred in "Othello," "Show Boat," "The Emperor Jones"
- Internationally renowned bass-baritone
- Advocate for workers' rights and racial justice
- Persecuted during McCarthy era for political views
- Cultural icon whose legacy spans performance, activism, and scholarship
A life-size painting that Robeson sat for represents:
- Rare historical artifact
- Direct connection to civil rights history
- Significant cultural and artistic value
- Important piece of American and African American heritage
OUTREACH STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS
Primary Approach: Contact NMAAHC first with formal acquisition proposal
Documentation Needed:
- Provenance of painting
- Authentication documents
- Photographs
- Historical significance documentation
- Condition reports
Secondary Approach: If institutional placement not possible, approach major collectors with emphasis on:
- Historical significance
- Cultural importance
- Investment value
- Preservation commitment
Presentation Materials:
- Professional photography of painting
- Documented history/provenance
- Information about when/where Robeson sat for it
- Conservation assessment
- Appraisal if available
Contact List Compiled: January 21, 2026 Purpose: Identify potential homes for Paul Robeson life-size painting
CONTACT INFORMATION TABLE
| Name/Entity | Type | Primary Contact | Phone | Email/Website | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Griffin | Billionaire Art Collector | Citadel LLC<br>830 Brickell Plaza<br>Miami, FL 33131 | +1 (305) 929-6851 | Via Citadel corporate | Founder/CEO Citadel<br>Net Worth: $51.2B<br>Major art collector with Paul Cézanne works<br>Donated to Art Institute Chicago, Whitney Museum, MoMA<br>Strong prospect |
| Stephen "Steph" Curry | NBA Player/Philanthropist | c/o Golden State Warriors<br>1 Warriors Way<br>San Francisco, CA 94158 | (510) 986-**** | Via Warriors organization<br>www.warriors.com | Warriors point guard<br>Active philanthropist<br>Contact via team management |
| LeBron James | NBA Player/Philanthropist | c/o Klutch Sports Group<br>United Talent Agency (UTA) | Via agent | Contact via Klutch Sports<br>Agent: Rich Paul | Los Angeles Lakers<br>Major art collector<br>Active in African American causes |
| Anthony Edwards | NBA Player | c/o Minnesota Timberwolves<br>Target Center<br>Minneapolis, MN | Via team | @theanthonyedwards_ (Instagram) | Timberwolves guard<br>Rising star<br>Contact via team management |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | NBA Player | c/o New York Knicks<br>Madison Square Garden<br>New York, NY | Via team | @karltowns (Instagram) | Knicks center (traded from Minnesota 2024)<br>Active philanthropist |
| Warren Buffett | Investor/Philanthropist | Berkshire Hathaway<br>3555 Farnam St<br>Omaha, NE 68131 | (402) 346-1400 | Via Berkshire Hathaway | CEO Berkshire Hathaway<br>Major philanthropist<br>Net worth: $148B+ |
| Bill Gates | Tech Founder/Philanthropist | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation<br>P.O. Box 23350<br>Seattle, WA 98102 | Via foundation | www.gatesfoundation.org | Co-founder Microsoft<br>Art collector<br>Major philanthropist |
| Melinda French Gates | Philanthropist | Pivotal Ventures | Via organization | www.pivotalventures.org | Philanthropist<br>Advocate for equality |
| Denzel Washington | Actor/Director/Philanthropist | Via talent agency | Via agent | Contact via booking agent<br>Multiple agencies available | Academy Award winner<br>Active philanthropist<br>Strong community ties |
| Will Smith | Actor/Producer | Via talent agency | Via agent | Contact via booking agent | Academy Award winner<br>Producer<br>Cultural influencer |
| National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) | Smithsonian Museum | 1400 Constitution Ave NW<br>Washington, DC 20560 | (844) 750-3012 | [email protected] | EXCELLENT INSTITUTIONAL FIT<br>Only national museum dedicated to African American history<br>Director: Lonnie G. Bunch III<br>40,000+ artifacts<br>Actively collects significant pieces |
| Smithsonian Institution | Museum System | 1000 Jefferson Drive SW<br>Washington, DC 20560 | (202) 633-1000 | [email protected] | Oversees NMAAHC and 20 other museums<br>Contact for institutional acquisitions |
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS TO RESEARCH
Note: The following names from your original list require clarification or additional research:
- Alaine Kores - Need additional context
- Ed Horsley - Need additional context
- Bob Collins - Need additional context (common name)
- Cecile Weaver - Need additional context
- Edie - Need full name
- Broad - Likely refers to Eli Broad (deceased 2021) or The Broad Museum in LA
- Jane Olsen - Need additional context (common name)
- Neil Kassman - Need additional context
- Ronni Hayman - Need additional context
- David - Need full name and context
TOP PROSPECTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Tier 1: Institutional Home (HIGHEST PRIORITY)
National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Perfect mission alignment
- Dedicated to preserving African American cultural heritage
- Paul Robeson was major civil rights figure, actor, singer
- Museum actively collects significant artifacts
- Federal institution ensures permanent preservation
- ACTION: Contact via [email protected] with formal proposal
Tier 2: Major Art Collectors
Ken Griffin
- Proven track record collecting significant art (Cézanne, Jasper Johns, etc.)
- Major donor to art institutions
- Resources to properly preserve and display
- ACTION: Contact via Citadel corporate office
Tier 3: Celebrity Collectors/Philanthropists
- LeBron James - Major art collector with interest in African American history
- Denzel Washington - Strong cultural ties, philanthropic work
- Stephen Curry - Active philanthropist with resources
Tier 4: Other Major Philanthropists
- Warren Buffett
- Bill & Melinda Gates
- Will Smith
