Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, is being recognized for his dedication to presenting an honest and comprehensive account of American history. Bunch has reportedly resisted efforts by the Trump administration to influence the portrayal of US history to align with its political aims. Throughout his tenure, he has emphasized the role of the Smithsonian as a unifying institution in the country.

Bunch’s most notable achievement is his leadership as the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Under his guidance, the museum has offered an unfiltered exploration of America’s complexities, highlighting both its achievements and struggles. The museum aims not only to recount the African American experience but to encapsulate the broader American narrative.

Former President Barack Obama, during the museum’s dedication, remarked that the institution demonstrates how protest and patriotism are intertwined and shape one another. This ethos reflects Bunch’s vision for the Smithsonian.

Julian Kenneth Braxton of Boston, who has visited the museum multiple times and led educational delegations there, expressed gratitude for Bunch’s stewardship, crediting him with helping to ensure the museum’s role as a space for truthful historical reflection.