The internal announcement, which has not previously been made public, came nearly two weeks before President Trump issued an executive order promising a wide-ranging overhaul of the Smithsonian.

The idea for a national museum of African American history and culture had been around for 100 years. When the project for the National Museum of African American of History and Culture (NMAAHC) finally came together, founding director Lonnie G. Bunch III had a specific vision for it.

Poet Kevin Young, director since 2021 of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, has been placed on leave.