Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture Journey through the lens of the African American experience. Smithsonian Terms of Use: https://www.si.edu/termsofuse

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06/19/2026

Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," was instrumental in the movement to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday in 2021. Born in Marshall, Texas, in 1926, Opal Lee was a lifelong educator in Fort Worth, Texas, dedicating her career to shaping young minds and serving her community. A traumatic 1939 Juneteenth experience—when her family's home was burned—helped inspire her lifelong commitment to justice and advocacy.

At age 89, Opal Lee made a symbolic walk from Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., building on the annual 2.5-mile walks she began years earlier to advocate for federal recognition of . The legacy created by her resilience echoes throughout the nation, reminding us all that one person's unwavering commitment to justice can change the course of history.

Learn more about Opal Lee, who celebrates her 100th birthday later this year: https://s.si.edu/3Qv2sSj

📸 Courtesy of Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.
🎤 Interview of Opal Lee by Kelly E. Navies, Museum Specialist, Oral History Initiative.

06/19/2026

in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to read Order No. 3, which affirmed the end of slavery in the states of the former Confederacy. This momentous occasion became known as , a combination of "June" and "19th." Though President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1st, 1863, freed all enslaved people in the Confederacy, its announcement and enforcement relied upon the presence of Union troops, including members of the United States Colored Troops. While some were aware of the implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation, it was not enforced until the Union Army arrived in Galveston on June 19th, 1865. Today, annual Juneteenth celebrations include family reunions, religious sermons, barbecues and much more.

Learn more: https://s.si.edu/40a7yVG

📸 1. Emancipation Day Celebration, June 19, 1900. Courtesy of Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. 2. Emancipation Day, Richmond, Va, ca. 1905. Courtesy of Library of Congress, Detroit Publishing Co., Copyright Claimant, and Publisher Detroit Publishing Co., 2016804723. 3. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Douglas Keister.

06/17/2026

Join us this Summer Solstice weekend for “At the Vanguard—A ‘90s College Reunion,” a two-night celebration inspired by the music, style, creativity, and cultural legacy of 1990s Black college life and our exhibition, "At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs."

Inspired by the energy of iconic films like “House Party” and “School Daze,” the weekend brings together DJs, dancing, fashion, nostalgia, and community for an immersive experience celebrating the spirit and influence of HBCU culture.

Come dressed in your favorite ‘90s-inspired look—or come as you are and enjoy the celebration. Whether it’s colorful windbreakers, bamboo earrings, varsity jackets, denim sets, gold chains, and Afrocentric prints, or simply your everyday style, everyone’s invited to be part of the vibe.

Friday & Saturday | 6–11 p.m.

Friday
• DJ Tye spinning throughout the evening

Saturday
• Special live performances featuring EU with Sugar Bear
• Music from DJ Jefe and DJ Heat throughout the evening

Free to attend. No passes required. Registration encouraged: https://s.si.edu/43Hp70Y

06/12/2026

: Today, we are opening two companion exhibitions, “Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design” and “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction” in The Rhimes Family Foundation Visual Arts Gallery. Together, the exhibitions explore how African Americans have influenced the field of abstraction across painting, sculpture, printmaking, furniture, textiles, and lighting. “Reset” presents design objects—chairs, rugs and lighting—that use abstraction to transform everyday space into sites of reflection and renewal.

Learn more: https://s.si.edu/493Q0iF

📸 Nyala Chair by Jomo Tariku, 2020. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Design © Jomo Tariku. ECHOIC I by Little Wing Lee, 2023. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Little Wing Lee. Green Patterned Stool by Mark Grattan, 2021. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Mark Grattan. Negress Chaise by Simone Brewster, 2010. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Simone Brewster. Typochair [Chair, Chair] by Folayemi Wilson, 2004. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Folayemi Wilson. Stargazer by Ini Archibong, 2022. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Ini Archibong.

06/12/2026

: Today, we are opening two companion exhibitions, “Revelation: A Journey into Abstraction” and “Reset: Abstraction Embodied in Design” in The Rhimes Family Foundation Visual Arts Gallery. Together, the exhibitions explore how African Americans have influenced the field of abstraction across painting, sculpture, printmaking, furniture, textiles, and lighting. “Revelation” explores the profound range and depth of abstract art created by African American artists from the mid‑20th century to the present.

Learn more: https://s.si.edu/4edzJuF

📸 Advancing Impulses by Mildred Thompson, 1997. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Estate of Mildred Thompson. Recarte by Mavis Pusey, ca. 1968. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Conservation funded by a grant from the Bank of America Art Conservation Project, © Estate of Mavis Pusey. Janice by Alvin D. Loving Jr., 1970. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Alvin D. Loving, Jr. Estate. The Big Egg by Ed Clark, 1968. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Conservation funded by a grant from the Bank of America Art Conservation Project, © Ed Clark. Black Vessel for the Traces of Our Young Lords and Their Spirits – Vessel #5 by Theaster Gates, 2022. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, © Theaster Gates. Suddenly It's Spring by Alma Thomas, 1970. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Joan Willis Holton, © Charles Thomas Lewis.

This Summer Solstice weekend, join us for “At the Vanguard—A ‘90s College Reunion,” a two-night celebration inspired by ...
06/11/2026

This Summer Solstice weekend, join us for “At the Vanguard—A ‘90s College Reunion,” a two-night celebration inspired by the music, style, creativity, and cultural legacy of 1990s Black college life and our exhibition, "At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs."

Inspired by the energy of iconic films like “House Party” and “School Daze,” the weekend brings together DJs, dancing, fashion, nostalgia, and community for an immersive experience celebrating the spirit and influence of HBCU culture.

Come dressed in your favorite ‘90s-inspired look—or come as you are and enjoy the celebration. Whether it’s colorful windbreakers, bamboo earrings, varsity jackets, denim sets, gold chains, and Afrocentric prints, or simply your everyday style, everyone’s invited to be part of the vibe.

Free to attend. No passes required.

Today, we remember singer Peabo Bryson. Affectionately known to many as “the Voice of Love,” his smooth, soulful voice a...
06/10/2026

Today, we remember singer Peabo Bryson. Affectionately known to many as “the Voice of Love,” his smooth, soulful voice and captivating performances left a lasting impression on audiences across generations and musical genres.

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1951, Robert Peapo Bryson showed an early talent for singing. At the age of 12, after winning a talent contest, he joined the traveling r***e Al Freeman and the Upsetters. He later toured with Moses Dillard and the Tex-Town Display. These formative experiences helped Bryson’s career blossom, and he became a renowned recording artist.

Bryson’s musical phrasing and lyrical charisma drew comparisons to singers like Luther Vandross and James Ingram. With his debut album, “Peabo” (1976), he established himself as a romantic lyricist and balladeer, crafting songs that resonated with Quiet Storm listeners for decades. He collaborated with artists including Regina Belle (“A Whole New World”) and Celine Dion (“Beauty and the Beast”), creating Disney theme songs that received Grammy recognition, as well as Roberta Flack (“Tonight, I Celebrate My Love”) and Natalie Cole ("We’re the Best of Friends"), with whom he recorded chart-topping duets about love. In addition to his recording career, Bryson also showcased his vocal talents in theater and operatic productions, further demonstrating his versatility as a performer.

📸 Courtesy of Raymond Boyd/Getty Images.

in 1958, groundbreaking musician Prince was born in Minneapolis.Prince’s journey as a professional recording artist be...
06/07/2026

in 1958, groundbreaking musician Prince was born in Minneapolis.

Prince’s journey as a professional recording artist began in his late teens, when his originality and skill attracted the attention of record labels. By the time he released his debut album, For You, in 1978—on his 20th birthday—he had already built a reputation as an artist prepared to make a lasting impact.

Prince also expressed his creativity through his wardrobe. His style evolved throughout his career, from ruffled shirts and lace gloves to bold colors, leather, and high-heeled boots. Among his ensembles is this lavender satin outfit designed by Domenico Serio: a flowy long-sleeved shirt, high-waisted pants, and matching boots with custom zippers.

Prince continually reinvented his sound and image, leaving a body of work that inspires musicians to embrace their individuality and challenge conventions. His legacy is a testament to the transformative power of creativity, continuing to influence how we think about music, style, and self-expression.

See Prince’s lavender satin outfit on view now in our “Musical Crossroads” exhibition.



📸 1. Prince, 1984. Photograph by D. Michael Cheers. Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 2. 3. Lavender satin ensemble and lavender heeled boots worn by Prince. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

06/03/2026

Celebrate in style. ❤️🖤💚

Whether you’re joining us for Juneteenth Community Day or celebrating with family and friends, our Juneteenth Collection offers meaningful ways to honor the holiday and its enduring legacy.

Rooted in the history, resilience, and triumph of Juneteenth, the collection features apparel, gifts, and keepsakes that commemorate freedom, uplift community, and celebrate culture.

Shop the collection today: https://s.si.edu/49Ui2xo

in 1921, one of the deadliest racial massacres in U.S. history began in the thriving Greenwood African American commun...
05/31/2026

in 1921, one of the deadliest racial massacres in U.S. history began in the thriving Greenwood African American community of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dubbed “Black Wall Street,” the community—which contained churches, schools, and community organizations as well as around 200 Black businesses by 1921—was destroyed by a mob.

Our museum's collection holds objects relating to individuals and organizations associated with the Tulsa Race Massacre and its aftermath. Explore: https://s.si.edu/3MV2U5z



📸 1. Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1921. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Cassandra P. Johnson Smith. 2. "Riot pennies" charred during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Owned by George Monroe. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Scott Ellsworth.

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