The African American Museum, Dallas will host the Smithsonian Institution’s stunning traveling exhibition, Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. from June 26-Sept. 12, 2021. The exhibition presents the narrative of a nation through the profiles of significant African American men who are icons in the country’s historical and cultural landscape. Created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), Men of Change is made possible through the support of Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford.
Admission to the Museum and Men of Change is free. The Museum is located at 3536 Grand Ave. in Dallas’ historic Fair Park.
Men of Change highlights revolutionary men – including Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, W.E.B. Du Bois and Kendrick Lamar – whose journeys have altered the history and culture of the country through politics, sports, science, entertainment, business and religion. Each biography is paired with original artwork by a noted artist that accentuates the subjects’ individual legacies. The exhibition weaves a collective tapestry of what it is to be an African American man, past and present, and the legacy that only strengthens across generations.
Participating artists include Nina Chanel Abney, Derrick Adams, Robert Pruitt, Tariku Shiferaw and Devan Shimoyama.
“The African American Museum, Dallas is very proud to bring Men of Change to the people of North Texas and showcase the momentous stories of extraordinary African American men who have changed our world for the better,” said Dr. Harry Robinson, Jr., president and CEO of the African. American Museum, Dallas. “This is an inspiring lesson in American history that must be shared.”
A diverse group of artists, advisors, academics, curators and museum professionals determined the men chosen as Men of Change. From Carter G. Woodson to Ryan Coogler, these men have changed entire fields, fought for justice, revolutionized art, and touched millions of lives directly and indirectly.
“We hope that by experiencing Men of Change visitors will see a lesson for us all, regardless of gender, race or nationality,” said Myriam Springuel, director of SITES and Smithsonian Affiliations. “In these men we see an absolute ideal and a well of inspiration that encourages us to become our best selves.”
These men serve as metaphors, representing the many more men and the broader community that shaped them into important change agents. Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. also incorporates the names and language of others – men and women – that signify the power of the African American journey in the American story.
The Men of Change exhibition is sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund, which continues its commitment to supporting the stories of America’s diverse culture and building on other past exhibitions with SITES that include Freedom’s Sisters, American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music and Our Journeys, Our Stories: Portraits of Latino Achievement.
The local guest curator for the Smithsonian’s Men of Change exhibition is Phillip E. Collins.
“Ford and the Smithsonian have a shared commitment to honoring people and achievements that reflect America’s diverse culture,” said Mary Culler, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Ford Fund is proud to bring Men of Change to Dallas to help showcase the legacies of African American men who have changed the world for the better.”
Local sponsors of Men of Change are Bank of America and the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture. Media partners are WFAA, Majic 94.5, 97.9 The Beat, Texas Metro News, Garland Journal and I Messenger. DART is the transportation sponsor.
“As longstanding partners of the Smithsonian, including the Our Shared Future initiative, our support of the Men of Change exhibition and the African America Museum demonstrates Bank of America’s ongoing commitment to create dialogue that will bring about healing and unity as we work together to advance racial equality and economic opportunity. This exhibit showcases African American men who were true change makers throughout American history,” said Emily Ledet, Senior Vice President, Market Executive - Healthcare Education Not-for-Profit, Bank of America.
SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 65 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. For more information, including exhibition descriptions and tour schedules, visit sites.si.edu.
As the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, Ford Fund’s mission is to strengthen communities and help make people’s lives better. Working with dealers and nonprofit partners in 63 countries, Ford Fund provides access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their full potential. Since 1949, Ford Fund has invested more than $2.1 billion in programs that support education, promote safe driving, enrich community life and encourage employee volunteering. For more information, visit fordfund.org.
ADMISSION, GROUPS, HOURS AND MORE
Admission to the Museum and all exhibitions, including Men of Change, is free.
For details on group and school field-trip tickets, please go to aamdallas.org or call 214-565-9026.
The African American Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The museum is closed Mondays and Sundays.
For more information, go to aamdallas.org or call 214-565-9026.
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About the African American Museum, Dallas. The African America Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College. The Museum has operated independently since 1979. For more than 40 years, the African American Museum has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, the African American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African-American experience. The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas. The Museum has a small, but rich collection of African art, African-American fine art and one of the largest African American folk-art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.