National Museum of African American History and Culture Celebrates Fifth Anniversary

In September, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will celebrate five years as the nation’s largest cultural destination dedicated to exploring the African American story and its impact on history. After operating virtually for 10 years, the museum opened on the National Mall Sept. 24, 2016.

The museum will honor its fifth anniversary, themed “Living History,” with a season of new offerings, including the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap CD and book and an art exhibition exploring the Black Lives Matter movement, violence against African Americans and how art depicts Black resilience. Also this fall, the museum will open an exhibition exploring the Reconstruction era; a virtual museum initiative, called Searchable Museum; and offer online and in-person programming to engage people around the world in African American history and culture.

“I am honored and proud of the work the museum has accomplished over the past five years to share African American history and culture with the world,” said Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. “Our anniversary theme, ‘Living History,’ aptly captures the current moment and our mission—and inspires many of our efforts this year. Connecting the past to the present and the future is a hallmark of our work.”

During its first five years, the museum has welcomed more than 7.5 million visitors in person and more than 15.4 million visitors to its website. Its social channels have had more than 604 million impressions and gained more than 630,000 followers.

The museum opened with 12 permanent exhibitions and has hosted an additional 17 temporary exhibitions on topics ranging from African Americans in World War I to how The Oprah Winfrey Show helped shape American culture. It has hosted more than 250 public programs and is actively collecting items to document the history of the contemporary social justice movement.

“This is a very good time to thank the thousands of people, from presidents and patrons to visitors and volunteers, who have made our museum strong,” Young said. “By passionately pursuing our mission, we honor the community whose strength and perseverance gave birth to the world’s largest institution dedicated to preserving and exploring African American history and culture.”

Upcoming Highlights    

• August 20: The Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap was released. This first-of-its-kind collection chronicles hip-hop’s growth and impact from parks in the Bronx to worldwide influence. Included in the anthology are 129 tracks spread across nine CDs, along with a 300-page coffee table book featuring 11 essays from prominent music scholars, authors and journalists covering topics such as entrepreneurship, graffiti, women in hip-hop and more, as well as extensive notes on each track.
• September 10: The “Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.” exhibition will open in the museum’s “Visual Art and the American Experience” space. The updated exhibition space will explore the Black Lives Matter movement, violence against African Americans and how art depicts Black resistance, resilience and protest. As part of this update, the museum will display the newly acquired portrait of Breonna Taylor painted by renowned artist Amy Sherald. 
• September 24: “Make Good the Promises: Reconstruction and Its Legacies” is a 4,300-square-foot exhibition exploring the Reconstruction era through an African American lens. It will feature 175 objects, 200 photographs, 15 audio, video and interactive programs, and a companion book. The exhibition will explore the deep divisions and clashing visions about how to rebuild the nation after slavery. It will connect that era to today’s efforts to make good on the promises of the Constitution.

Black College Football Hall of Fame Announces Establishment of the HBCU Legacy Bowl

The Black College Football Hall of Fame today announced the establishment of the HBCU Legacy Bowl. The HBCU Legacy Bowl is a postseason all-star game that will showcase the best NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will take place on the Saturday after Super Bowl LVI (February 2022) at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University, and broadcast live on NFL Network.

“The HBCU Legacy Bowl means opportunity and exposure for HBCU players and coaches,” said Co-Founder and Inductee Doug Williams. “We’re excited to have this in New Orleans, especially during Black History Month.”

More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure for HBCU football players and coaches. Approximately 100 of the top HBCU players will be invited to participate.

“HBCUs are a bridge to equality,” said Co-Founder and Inductee James “Shack” Harris. “We thank the NFL for their support and in sharing our commitment to lifting up others.”

HBCU Legacy Bowl founding partners include the National Football League, Pro Football Hall of Fame and Tulane University.

To learn more, visit www.HBCULegacyBowl.com and follow us

Barack Obama statement on deadly terrorist attack in Kabul

Former President, Barack Obama released the following statement via Twitter on the deadly terrorist attack in Kabul that killed thirteen U.S. military personel:

Like so many of you, Michelle and I were heartbroken to hear about the terrorist attack outside the Kabul airport that killed and wounded so many U.S. service members, as well as Afghan men, women, and children.

As president, nothing was more painful than grieving with the loved ones of Americans who gave their lives serving our country. As President Biden said, these service members are heroes who have been engaged in a dangerous, selfless mission to save the lives of others.

Our hearts go out to the families who lost a loved one, and to everyone continuing the mission in Kabul. We’re also thinking of the families of the Afghans who died, many of whom stood by America and were willing to risk everything for a chance at a better life.

May God bless the memory of those we lost, and protect those who remain in harm’s way.

Lt. Michael Byrd , the officer who shot Ashli Babbitt during Capitol riot breaks silence

In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Lt. Michael Byrd said he opened fire only as a “last resort” after the rioters failed to comply with his commands.

Senator Brian Benjamin will be New York's next lieutenant governor

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has chosen Brian A. Benjamin, a New York City-based state senator, as her lieutenant governor, two sources familiar with the decision tell CBS News.

A formal announcement is expected on Thursday, said the sources, both of whom were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

During her two-week transition, Hochul said she would appoint someone from the nation's largest city to be her lieutenant to provide geographic balance. Benjamin is African American, providing racial balance to the team as well.

Benjamin, 44, chairs the New York Senate's revenue and budget committee and is an assistant majority leader in the upper chamber. He represents parts of Harlem and the Upper East and West Sides of the city.

Benjamin first took office in 2017, following the departure of Sen. Bill Perkins, who left his seat after being elected to the New York City Council. Benjamin won easily in the special election — he was the lone Democrat in an almost entirely Democratic district.

He then won a full term in 2018 without facing a primary opponent.