New Smithsonian Museum Celebrates African-American History and Culture

Kaiser Permanente invites employees to celebrate the grand opening — along with President Barack Obama — later this month.

It is a place where African-American history and culture come to life: tales of the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927, and Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggin, an African-American autistic flute prodigy. Where visitors can learn more about extraordinary Olympic track-and-field athlete Carl Lewis, and view actual certificates of freedom for slaves, handwritten and stained over the centuries.

Kaiser Permanente is proud to support the new Smithsonian museum: The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). As a founding donor and grand-opening sponsor, Kaiser Permanente will help celebrate the museum’s unveiling on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on September 24, 2016, and you can too!

“We are honored to support this important museum, which will help millions of people around the world learn more about the influence of African-American history and culture on American life,” said Chairman and CEO Bernard J. Tyson. “Our contributions honor diversity and inclusion, which are core to our mission, critical to fostering positive conversations on race – and important to connecting us together more deeply as people.”

The first of its kind, this national museum is testament to the African-American perspective throughout U.S. history. In its 12 exhibitions of history, culture, and community, all visitors are invited to learn about the African-American experience and how it helped shape our nation.

KP is also the title sponsor of the museum’s Sweet Home Café, which will showcase the rich culture and history of the African-American people with traditionally authentic offerings that support Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to healthy living. Chef Carla Hall, co-host of television’s “The Chew,” serves as culinary ambassador for the café, which will offer regional specialties from the “Agricultural South” to the “Creole Coast.”

More than 70 years ago, Kaiser Permanente’s founders Henry J. Kaiser and Sidney Garfield recognized African-American employees for their invaluable contributions to the workplace, which set the foundation for our commitment to diversity and inclusion. We are proud to help preserve African-American history and culture. You can learn more about our history of diversity and inclusion on the History of Total Health blog.

Be a Part of the Festivities

We invite employees and communities to share pride and support of the museum and to join in the celebration of this historic event. There are several ways to celebrate, no matter your location. The dedication ceremony will take place on September 24 and will be led by President Barack Obama. You can watch the event via live stream at 10 a.m. Eastern time and celebrate the event through watch parties with colleagues and friends. The ceremony will be available on the museum’s website: nmaahc.si.edu.

Capture your watch party in a photograph and send it to us to be included in an insideKP National article. Include your name, facility, and a short description, and send them to the HR Communications Mailbox at HR-Communications@kp.org. Please identify any Kaiser Permanente employees in the photos.