Welcoming Your Future: The Power of Visionary Thinking

A few months prior to the National Museum of African American History and Culture's much-anticipated opening in September 2016, Dr. Rex M. Ellis, the museum’s founding associate director for Curatorial Affairs, addressed aspiring servant-leaders preparing to teach at Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools summer programs. The museum embodies a long-cherished aspiration, tracing back over a century to Black Civil War veterans seeking to honor their contributions. Dr. Ellis recounted the elation and perseverance his team experienced as they approached the project's completion. “When we started in 2005, we began with virtually nothing: no building, no collections, and limited finances,” he shared, countering skepticism surrounding the ambitious $540 million project. His enthusiasm resonated with the audience as he presented remarkable artifacts, from Chuck Berry's Cadillac to Harriet Tubman's shawl. “Believe me, if we can build a museum, there’s nothing you can’t achieve.” Since its inception, the museum has inspired over 11 million visitors, emphasizing the importance of unwavering vision and belief in one’s goals. Recently, the museum was identified for a review under the current administration’s mandate to align with a new vision for American history. Will Americans accept any attempts to alter or obscure shared historical narratives, or will they...