Oracle’s multiyear commitment to the National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American Heritage and Culture stands as the United States’ most extensive cultural institution, presenting the impact of the African American story on national and global history. The museum is home to significant artifacts, such as original copies of Frederick Douglass’ abolitionist newspaper The North Star, NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s championship uniform, Godfather of Soul James Brown’s Hammond B-3 organ, and personal artifacts from the household of Harriet Tubman.

As a member of the museum’s Milestone Donor group offering contributions of $1 million and up, Oracle will make a five-year commitment to supporting the public institution’s mission of preserving African American history and culture.

As a newly appointed Corporate Leadership Council member to the museum, Oracle has made the donation to further the museum’s mission of sharing how the African American experience helped to shape the nation.

“Oracle is pleased to support the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture to reinforce our commitment to diversity and inclusion,” says Traci Wade, vice president, global head of diversity and inclusion. “Our partnership and investment with NMAAHC as a Corporate Leadership Council member further embeds our commitment to support diversity and inclusive initiatives that are important to our employees and customers.”

The museum was established by an Act of Congress in 2003 and opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19th museum of the Smithsonian Institution. It is the only national museum dedicated solely to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.

“This museum will tell the American story through the lens of African American history and culture,” says Lonnie G. Bunch III, founding director of the National Museum of African American Heritage and Culture. “This is America’s story and this museum is for all Americans.”

As of now, the museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become members. Current exhibitions include “Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience,” which explores the Black Lives Matter movement and how art demonstrates Black resilience, and “A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond,” which illustrates the impact of African Americans on life in the US from the death of Martin Luther King Jr. to the second election of President Barack Obama.

Dig deeper

• Tech equity: How Oracle works with HBCUs to diversity the technology industry
• Honoring Juneteenth’s history as it officially becomes a federal holiday.

Photo credit: Eric Long and Alan Karchmer | Courtesy of the National Museum of African American Heritage and Culture