Each year as families beam with pride at seeing a son, daughter or another relative graduate from college, that achievement is nearly always the result of a family’s commitment to higher education.  And when these institutions are among the more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), that pride is magnified by the history of how our forefathers overcame what once seemed to be insurmountable challenges. ... read more »

During the intimate video-taped interview inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the two visionaries also tackled topics that ranged from the Transatlantic Slave Trade, their shared North Carolina families’ histories, the writing legacy of author James Baldwin, and the contemporary vitality of the Black Press of America. ... read more »

The Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents announced today it elected Lonnie G. Bunch III, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, ... read more »

“Had there been no May 17, 1954 (the day the Supreme Court ruled in Brown V. Board of Education), I’m not sure there would have been a Little Rock. I’m not sure there would have been a Martin Luther King Jr., or Rosa Parks, had it not been for May 17, 1954. It created an environment for us to push, for us to pull,” Lewis said. ... read more »

One of the most recognizable openings in television history blares on a video screen: ``I'm Oprah Winfrey, and welcome to The Oprah Winfrey Show!'' The crowd goes wild. At the center of it all, a dancing young Oprah. ... read more »

The discussion was moderated by Dwandalyn Reece, curator of music and performing arts (NMAAHC) and Timothy Anne Burnside, curatorial museum specialist (NMAAHC). ... read more »

Nooses on the National Mall Stoke Memories of “America’s Dark History” ... read more »

The United States has never come to grips with racism nor has it officially acknowledged its history of economic inequality rooted in racism ... read more »

Getting in to the Smithsonian's new National Museum of African American History and Culture requires a timed entry pass, and now more of them are about to be distributed to the public. ... read more »

It reminds us that slavery ended barely more than 150 years ago, the span of two long lives ... read more »

President Barack Obama speaks during the grand opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C. ... read more »

It is important that the National Museum of African American History and Culture tells the unvarnished truth of America's history ... read more »

"It is the purpose of the National Memorial Association; to erect a beautiful building suitable to depict the [N]egro's contribution to America in the military service, in art, literature, invention, science, industry, ect.-fitting tribute to the Negro's contributions and achievements, and which would serve as an educational center giving inspiration and pride to the present and future generations that they may be inspired to follow the examples of those who have aided in the advancement of the race and Nation.." - National Memorial Association, 1915 ... read more »