Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

James Earl Jones came into this world on a mission all his own, the actor who forged his way through considerable obstacles to create a formidable presence on stage and screen and on the nation’s cultural landscape. Through his decades-long career, the nation watched and grew to admire him in daytime TV drama, feature films and Broadway theater. His work earned him some of the industry’s highest honors; among them were two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. The life of James Earl Jones is filled with exceptional stories, told in ways that are uniquely his—extraordinary, life enriching, unforgettable. Read more about his life and legacy: https://s.si.edu/4grXu18. ?? 1. Courtesy of Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images. 2. Actor James Earl Jones is joined by director Lloyd Richards, actress Mary Alice, and playwright August Wilson, 1987. Photograph by Monroe Frederick II. Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 3. James Earl Jones and Mary Alice win the Tony Award for their roles in the play “Fences” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. Photograph by Monroe Frederick II. Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 4. Courtesy of Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images.

“Music has the power to stop time. The songs act like a chemical process that isolates certain feelings; maybe one song helps us illuminate the jubilation and one helps illuminate the sorrow. Music has the power to stop time, but it also keeps time.” - Questlove We've seen and loved the fantastic pictures you've taken in our Musical Crossroads exhibit in our culture galleries. Whether in front of Chuck Berry's Cadillac or George Clinton's Mothership, you look picture-perfect! #ANationsStory #APeoplesJourney ?? 1. Photo: @mclacemaker on Instagram 2. Photo: @kimoes90 on Instagram 3. Photo: @mclacemaker on Instagram 4. Photo: @la_vie_belle7 on Instagram 5. Photo: @youngdoncarlo on Instagram 6. Photo: @ashleynbaylorsoprano on Instagram

"Do not underestimate the power of a people who can put together the powers of ownership with the determination to have their voices and images firmly planted in the fields of the culture they have cultivated." – Benny Andrews Our latest book "Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience." explores how visual art has provided a rich outlet for protest, commentary, escape, and perspective for African Americans. This collection of essays and images is based on our exhibition of the same name, which opened in our Rhimes Family Foundation Visual Arts Gallery in 2021. Grab a copy today to explore works from artists like Barkley L. Hendricks, Deborah Roberts, Amy Sherald, Lava Thomas and more: https://s.si.edu/4e04PD9 ?? 1. Miss Brown to You, 1970. Barkley L. Hendricks (1945–2017) Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the National Endowment for the Arts, ? Barkley L. Hendricks. Courtesy of the Estate of Barkley L. Hendricks and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. 2. 80 days, 2018. From the series Nessun Dorma. Deborah Roberts (b. 1962) Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and National Portrait Gallery, Museum purchase through the American Women’s History Initiative Acquisition Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative and generously supported by American Express, ? Deborah Roberts. 3. Breonna Taylor, 2020. Amy Sherald (b. 1973) Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, purchase made possible by a gift from Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg / The Hearthland Foundation and the Speed Art Museum, Louisville, KY, purchase made possible by a gift from the Ford Foundation, ? Amy Sherald.

#OnThisDay in 2001, the lives of nearly 3,000 individuals were taken when 4 commercial airliners were hijacked and used as terrorist weapons. In the days after the September 11th attack, the destroyed site of the World Trade Center buildings became known as 'Ground Zero.' It remains a painful reminder of that tragic day in American history. ? Elizabeth Burnett’s hard hat is one of 25 Smithsonian objects now available to explore in 3D, revealing stories to help us learn more about the complicated history and legacy of race and racism. Thank you to Verizon for supporting this #RaceAndOurSharedFuture project. ?? Hard hat worn by Elizabeth "Queen Ann" Burnett during cleanup of Ground Zero. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Elizabeth "Queen Ann" Burnett, Operating Engineer.

“We are determined to work and fight until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” - Martin Luther King Jr. #ANationsStory #APeoplesJourney ?? 1. Photo: @chinxup_crownxhigh on Instagram 2. Photo: @honoluakane on Instagram 3. Photo: @smplonnie on Instagram 4. Photo: @celestethebest7 on Instagram 5. Photo: @alexxlj91 on Instagram 6. Photo: @sri_pujitha_superz on Instagram 7. Photo: @polo025 on Instagram

#OnThisDay in 1915, Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in Chicago, Illinois. The organization promoted, researched, preserved, interpreted, and disseminated information about Black life, history, and culture. Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) continues to instill pride and dignity in African Americans by charting past and current triumphs and community achievements. Under Woodson’s pioneering leadership, the Association created research and publication platforms for Black scholars including the Journal of Negro History in 1916. 10 years later, in 1926, Woodson initiated the celebration of “Negro History Week,” as an Association outreach program for Black people of all ages. It coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, and in 1976, expanded to include the entire month of February as #BlackHistoryMonth. #APeoplesJourney ?? Courtesy of Hulton Archive/Getty Images.

This month our Robert F. Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History is in St. Louis for our 2024 Community Curation Program! During the month of September, we’ll be working with great community partners including the Griot Museum of Black History, Cardinal Ritter College Prep High school, and the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site. From Sept. 5 through Sept. 29, our team will focus on digitizing materials for the community and local organizations while also introducing signature programs such as A Seat at the Table and Historically Speaking, along with events designed for the local communities of St. Louis and East St. Louis. Learn more and register here: https://s.si.edu/4c6Gee9 #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory ?? 1. Photo of CK Ming working on film in the digitization truck. Photo by Robert Stewart/NMAAHC. 2. Photo of Digitization Truck. Photo by Leah L. Jones/NMAAHC.

Interested in becoming a volunteer with us? We are currently recruiting Visitor Information Volunteers. Visit the museum any time between 11:00am and 1:00pm to chat with existing volunteers and staff, ask questions, and learn more about this volunteer role. Learn more: https://s.si.edu/3XisOqg

?? This month, embrace the arrival of autumn and join us for Meditation Mondays, where we explore mindfulness and reflect on the journey of Black Americans toward liberation. Plus, don't miss our virtual art workshop on designing your own trinket dish. And are you interested in volunteering at the museum? Discover more about our volunteer opportunities and our September events: https://s.si.edu/47wlfB7 #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

To every individual, every family, each group small or large, each community who has made the trip to our museum to learn, engage, question, challenge, celebrate and absorb – we see you, and we thank you. Your voices and collaboration as visitors and stewards of our history are what makes our museum the powerful space that it is for millions of guests from every corner of the world. We owe an immense amount of gratitude to you, not only for visiting, but for sharing your unique experiences and stories. #ANationsStory #APeoplesJourney ?? 1. Photo: @thokozilelewanika on Instagram 2. Photo: @venuskm478 on Instagram 3. Photo: @aliciaortizumba on Instagram 4. Photo: @terren_johnson on Instagram 5. Photo: @iamxilomen on Instagram 6. Photo: @sherrideann_ on Instagram 7. Photo: @wander_open_roads on Instagram 8. Photo: @marcvcapra on Instagram 9. Photo: @lovelync on Instagram