Americas Greatest Strength Is Its Ability To Forget

Lonnie Bunch

Lonnie Bunch is the founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. In this position, he is working to set the museum's mission, coordinate its fund raising and membership campaigns, develop its collections and establish cultural partnerships. He is currently designing a high-profile program of traveling exhibitions and public events ranging from panel discussions and seminars to oral history and collecting workshops.

Prior to his appointment at the Museum, he served as the president of the Chicago Historical Society. In 2002, he was appointed by President Bush to the Commission for the Preservation of the White House.

He received undergraduate and graduate degrees in African American and American history from The American University in Washington, DC.