With more than 9 million artifacts related to U.S. history and culture, the Smithsonian Institution shines a powerful light on American life, past and present, and serves as an important influence on the country’s understanding of its identity. In Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past program, the museum brings more than 170 years of institutional knowledge to bear on one of the nation’s most critical issues: race and equality.

“Racism is a national issue that transcends communities,” says Lonnie G. Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, “One that requires all of society’s stakeholders — public, private and nonprofit — to work together to advance progress on. The Smithsonian’s expertise, scholarship and collections will help our nation to better understand the challenges that arise from racism.”

Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past includes national events as well as smaller local events in communities around the country, drawing on the resources of several Smithsonian partners, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Smithsonian Latino Center, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the National Museum of American History.

Supported by a $25 million commitment from founding partner Bank of America, the program includes online town halls featuring civil rights and social justice leaders discussing a variety of pressing topics, including the critical need for greater economic opportunity in America’s communities of color. “A true sense of urgency has arisen in our communities, and we must not let it quiet down,” says Brian Moynihan, chairman and chief executive officer of Bank of America and museum council member for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). “Our commitment to the Smithsonian will support conversations that can advance economic and social progress. Now is the time. We all must do more.”

While no individual effort can solve the problems of inequality and racism, Bunch believes the Smithsonian program can provide another step forward by helping Americans “confront our difficult history and unite to bring healing and hope for our future.”

The support for the Smithsonian Institution is an example of Bank of America’s commitment to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity in around the country. From nonprofit and entrepreneur funding, to expanding home ownership, professional skills training and healthcare access, Bank of America continues to partner with innovative leaders to help implement solutions to society’s biggest challenges.

Updated on 10/14/2022.

Originally published 10/23/2020