Our Families, Our Communities, Our Histories: Preserving Local Histories with Care, 2016-2026
Part of the Making History, Making Change Lecture Series organized by Smithsonian Affiliations
Thursday, May 14, 2025, 5:30 PM

Join Dr. Doretha Williams, Head of the Robert F. Smith Fund at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, for Our Families, Our Communities, Our Histories: Preserving Local Histories with Care, 2016–2026 in the Lawrence J. Yerdon Visitors Center. Drawing on a decade of nationally recognized work through the Robert F. Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History, Dr. Williams will explore how community curation, digital stewardship, and family history initiatives extend the Smithsonian’s reach beyond museum walls to preserve Black family and community histories, build equitable partnerships, and strengthen connections with communities across the country. Members $10; Nonmembers $15.

The Making History, Making Change Lecture Series is organized by Smithsonian Affiliations as part of the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250. It is supported in part by the Dreier Family, Johanna and Ken Kim Family, Vaishali Shah Chadha and Family, and Michael Vu & Meridel Bulle-Vu.