The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) recently launched “At the Vanguard: Making and Saving History at HBCUs,” a new traveling exhibition spotlighting collections from the museums and archives of five historically Black universities.
“At the Vanguard” features historical materials collected by scholars at Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University in Mississippi, Texas Southern University, and Tuskegee University in Alabama. These materials include early scientific journals featuring HBCU researchers, archival photos regarding student activism and campus life, artwork created by prominent Black artists, early additions of publications from Black authors and poets, and other records documenting African American history.
“This exhibition honors the legacy of HBCUs as cultural and educational powerhouses,” said Shanita Brackett, acting director for NMAAHC. “Through these collections from our partners institutions, we see the breadth of Black intellectual excellence, activism, and artistic achievement, reinforcing the vital role HBCUs play in shaping American history.”
The exhibition will travel to at least five locations across the country through 2029.
