The house that Anthony and Bogalech Akeberegn Elmore built is fitting for a five-time World Kickboxing Champion and a native Ethiopian who turned their home in Orange Mound into an African museum for tours and dinners.

    On Friday (July 10), from 4 – 7 p.m., the Elmores will host a dinner reception for special guests, and celebrate Saturday with traditional African food, a fashion show and African music.

    The home is replete with African artifacts and a house full of exquisite furnishings. It is open to the public for tours, educational and cultural events and Anthony Elmore’s life’s work and mission to bridge the gap between Africans and African-Americans.

    Dubbed The Safari House Museum, each room in the home is furnished from top to bottom with works created by craftsmen from Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Mali, Cameron, and other African countries.
Safari is an acronym Elmore created meaning “Styled African Furnishings Application Renaissance Initiative.” “We have the largest African furnishings in the country and maybe the world,” said Elmore, owner of Elmore Carpets and African Imports at 3045 Southern Ave. at Semmes.

    Congressman Bobby Rush of Illinois has an interest in the home and museum, the former kick-boxer and businessman said. “He is coming to Memphis to look at the house.”

    Elmore’s interest in Africa and its cultural also have led him to the business of garment designs. Since the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, will be accompanying the President to Accura, Ghana, Elmore thought it would be fitting to outfit her in African garb.

    “I commissioned an artist to do a rendering of the first lady in African clothing,” said Elmore. “He designed several outfits and placed them on the First Lady in a rendering.”

    The First Lady can be seen in African garb on Elmore’s Web site at www.elmoreafricanimports.com

    The Safari House Museum and home is located at 1035 Semmes in the Orange Mound community. For more information, contact Anthony Elmore at 901- 452-4330.