This month, we celebrate the anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson signing the Civil Rights Act of 1968. Title VIII of the Act is commonly known as the Fair Housing Act.

Like all African American history, this milestone of the Civil Rights Movement is inextricably woven into the fabric of our entire nation – because prior to the passage of the Act it was legal to discriminate in housing based not only on race and color, but also on the basis of religion, national origin and sex.

When we open our doors in fall of 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will provide a home for this kind of shared national history –– presenting the people and events that shaped our country to life through an African American lens.

As we quickly approach the Museum’s opening, your support is vital. I hope you will consider making a special gift of $ 40 or more today.

The Museum will provide the opportunity for visitors from across our nation and around the world to learn about the entire African American experience –– from unspeakable horrors like slavery to soaring triumphs like the passage of the Fair Housing Act.

But first we must raise $250 million from private sources to match the public funds approved by Congress – so that we can complete construction of the Museum building, finish assembling our collection of historical and cultural artifacts, and launch our opening exhibitions and other programming.

Please help put us over the finish line with a special donation today!

Your continued support will help ensure that the Museum fulfill our mission to educate all Americans about our shared heritage … spark constructive conversations on race and foster reconciliation … and advance our understanding of who we are as a nation and how we can build a brighter future together.

Thank you for whatever additional support you can give to help provide the kind of home that our African American history and culture deserve.

All the best,

Lonnie Bunch
Founding Director