After just four years of construction, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture has opened! A weekend-long arts festival accompanies the opening, and thousands of visitors from around the world are crossing its threshold over the next few days.

I became a charter member of the museum earlier this year, and have encouraged two people and an organization to support it financially as well. More than 100,000 people have stepped up to pledge annual gifts, thousands more have given $25 or more, and all of these funds have allowed the museum to finish the building, build exhibits and educational programming, and secure the site’s collection of 37,000 objects.

With your support, we can continue transcending the boundaries of race and culture that divide us and sharing a truthful narrative that stimulates dialogue and foster a spirit of reconciliation and healing.” —Lonnie G. Bunch III, NMAAHC founding director

I can’t wait to visit: our history’s worth celebrating. You can still donate. Please give what you can.

ICYMI

If you missed the dedication ceremony today, you can watch the web-broadcast in full online. The Ustream below isn’t captioned.