“Race, Community and our Shared Future”

Dear Colleagues,

I am very pleased to announce a new initiative: “Race, Community and Our Shared Future,” which will explore how Americans currently understand, experience and confront race, its impact on communities and how that impact is shaping the nation’s future. The launch of the initiative is made possible through a $25 million commitment from founding partner, Bank of America.

“Race, Community and Our Shared Future” will encompass resources from across the Smithsonian’s museum, education and research complex to examine the historical context of the challenges facing the nation today. The initiative will frame conversations in communities around the country to seek solutions to building a more inclusive, sustainable future. We will launch “Race, Community and Our Shared Future” in a series of virtual Town Hall conversations with global and national leaders in civil rights, social justice and economic mobility to identify ways to create meaningful change.

For nearly 175 years, the Smithsonian has been a place that brings America together in times of joy, celebration, sorrow and sadness—A place where the country reflects and learns about our nation’s past and present. This is a key moment when all Americans need to see racism as a national issue that transcends specific communities. The Smithsonian’s expertise, scholarship and collections will help our nation to better understand the challenges that arise from racism, to confront our difficult history and to unite to bring healing and hope for our future.

Thank you for all that you do for the Smithsonian and all that we will accomplish as we move forward.

Lonnie G. Bunch III
Secretary

For more information about this initiative, see the press release here.

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