About

An Initiative for Social Change

Our Shared Future: Reckoning with Our Racial Past explores the history and legacy of race and racism in the United States and beyond. With this initiative, we seek to spark positive social change and build a more equitable future by bringing people together to talk, share, and learn from each other.

The illustration appears in black on a white background. The sketch consists of suggestions for how a person can become involved in social justice done in different types of hand-lettering surrounded by illustrations.
child embracing mother as they smile
Exploring the history and legacy of race and racism while building pathways towards a more equitable shared future.
A diverse group of people arm-in-arm forming a circle
An equitable future is one where people of all races can not only live but live well. 
Black woman in front of a red brick wall.
Thank you to our generous and committed partners.
A person holds a pair of scissors above the quilting interactive in the exhibition To Live and Breathe
Convening partners to collaboratively develop programs that support a measurable shift towards equity.

A Welcome Message from Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

Speaker: Lonnie G. Bunch, III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

Date: August 21, 2021

Length: 1 minute 17 seconds

 

Visual:

Our Shared Future Reckoning With Our Racial Past, Smithsonian

 

Lonnie Bunch:

I'm Lonnie Bunch, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

 

Visual:

Lonnie G. Bunch, III. Smithsonian Secretary

 

Lonnie Bunch:

Welcome to the digital hub of "Our Shared Future: Reckoning With Our Racial Past." For 175 years the Smithsonian has collected, shared, and contextualized history, the history of people, places, social movements, and modern advancements. Although many of the stories we find here are uncomfortable, and even difficult, they provide necessary context for the discussions needed to learn, grow, and make our communities better. History can help us navigate that shared journey, but only if we apply its lessons and collectively work towards a more just society. We invite you to explore this digital space that examines the unvarnished history of race and the ways the racial divide continues to shape the American experience. I hope the lived experiences, engaging events, and educational resources on this site will inspire you to join the conversation. With your help, we can achieve a more inclusive, equitable, and brighter shared future.

 

Visual:

Our Shared Future Reckoning With Our Racial Past, Smithsonian

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We're Grateful to Our Donors

A shared future involves a shared commitment to community. We’re honored to have Bank of America’s support as a Founding Partner.

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A pair of Nike ZOOM + MAX Equality basketball shoes game-worn by LeBron James. The shoes are made from synthetic fabric upper and other manmade materials. The left shoe is all white, and the right is entirely black.
LeBron James "Equality" basketball shoes game-worn by LeBron James, 2017. National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of LeBron James
Equality is all about understanding our rights, understanding what we stand for, and how powerful we are as men, as women, black or white, or Hispanic.