On Wednesday the Coalition to Build the National Museum of the American People announced that Rev. Al Sharpton and Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, have signed on to support the proposed museum to be built in Washington, D.C.

A renowned civil rights leader, Rev. Sharpton is a fierce believer in the philosophies of nonviolent and direct-action protest. Sharpton is the founder of the National Action Network and host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation. Additionally, Sharpton ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 2004.

Founded in 1910, the National Urban League is a leading civil rights organization that has historically fought for racial, social, and economic justice. It has 90 affiliates serving 300 communities in 37 states and Washington, D.C. The current president of the organization, Marc Morial, served as mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana, from 1994 to 2002.

“The Coalition for the National Museum of the American People is honored to be endorsed by Rev. Sharpton’s National Action Network and the National Urban League led by Marc Morial. I’m excited to say that we are closer than ever to making this museum a reality. Support from civil rights leaders is key in ensuring that this museum shares the experiences of all Americans,” said Coalition Director Sam Eskenazi. 

Last month the PW Perspective participated in a panel hosted by the Coalition to Build the National Museum of the American People and American University’s School of Communication titled “The Making of the American People: How Immigration Impacted the American Landscape.” It was a discussion based on the history and contributions of immigrants throughout the formation of the nation.

During the panel, Eskenazi shared his vision for the museum and how it will tell the story of all American people. According to Eskenazi, the museum would tell the story of the American people in four distinct chapters, spanning from the first settlers in the region to modern day. The proposed museum would strive to be one of the most powerful story-telling museums in the world.

PW Perspective is proud to support efforts to build the National Museum of the American People. Support from Rev. Sharpton and the National Urban League only serve to further illustrate the importance of the proposed museum. American history is full of stories, and our national culture has been shaped by people from every part of the world. 

For more information on the National Museum of the American People, visit their website.