Support for the Opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Sept. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As a founding funder of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), we at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) are eager for the opening on Sept. 24 and look forward to this weekend's dedication celebration in Washington, D.C. WKKF is committed to the promotion of racial healing toward racial equity. We believe the opportunities and experiences the NMAAHC will offer can stimulate a much-needed dialogue about race, and foster a spirit of transformation across the country.

Ensuring that authentic narratives are a part of the national history and conversation is a critical part of our work. WKKF has been a long-time supporter of the Smithsonian Institution and our involvement with the NMAAHC as a founding funder included a five-year, $3.5 million grant to support the building of the museum with the important stories from communities, in its "Save Our African American Treasures" program. Treasures was launched in Chicago in February 2008 and has travelled to Los Angeles; Charleston and St. Helena Island, SC; Detroit; Mississippi, and Washington, D.C. where rich stories emerged from community members with their treasures, many of which are now part of the museum's exhibits.

At the Kellogg Foundation, all of our work centers on our commitment to the health, happiness and well-being of all children. We believe that the NMAAHC will create opportunities for children to enhance their formal education experience by learning about the African American culture and how it has helped shape America. Children will have the opportunity to attain a greater sense of their own history and culture, cultivate self-pride and confidence, be aware of and concerned about others, and gain an increased appreciation for global diversity.

I, along with our WKKF trustees Celeste Clark, Rod Gillum and Ramón Murguía will be visiting Washington, D.C., to commemorate the opening. It is our hope that everyone – from across the country and around the world – will visit our nation's capital to explore, learn and experience our common humanity together.

Visit the NMAAHC website for more information.

About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation  The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer, Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.

The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti.

SOURCE W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Related Links

http://www.wkkf.org