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# Smithsonian Regents Name Lonnie Bunch 14th Smithsonian Secretary

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The Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents elected Lonnie G. Bunch III, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, as the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian, effective June 16.

Bunch is the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which opened in September 2016. He oversees the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history.

Bunch’s election is unprecedented for the Smithsonian: He will be the first African American to lead the Smithsonian, and the first historian elected Secretary. In addition, he will be the first museum director to ascend to Secretary in 74 years.  
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            Search Newsdesk          Search      Media Events      Anacostia Community Museum Celebrates Earth Day With Daylong ActivitiesSat., Apr. 20, 2024 10:00 am - 5:00 pmSubscribe
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         Related Content      Lonnie G. Bunch IIISecretary of the Smithsonian InstitutionThe Smithsonian Board of Regents  10.13.2023Media Fact SheetThe Secretaries of the Smithsonian Institution  04.19.2019Media Fact SheetA Brief History of the Smithsonian Institution  04.14.2021Media Fact SheetSecretary-Elect Lonnie Bunch's Remarks at the News Conference Announcing the Smithsonian’s 14th Secretary  05.28.2019Media Fact SheetSearch Committee for the 14th Smithsonian Secretary  05.27.2019Media Fact SheetSmithsonian Regents Name Lonnie Bunch 14th Smithsonian Secretary  05.28.2019News Release      Media      -    Photo: John Gibbons, SmithsonianNMAAHC Groundbreaking: Lonnie Bunch Speech
Lonnie Bunch, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, speaks at the museum's groundbreaking ceremony on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 22, 2012, flanked by Smithsonian Secretary G.
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-    Jaclyn Nash / Smithsonian InstitutionLonnie G. Bunch III (East Door)
Secretary-elect Lonnie G. Bunch stands at the East Door of the Smithsonian Castle, May 28, 2019.
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-    Jaclyn Nash / Smithsonian InsitutionLonnie G. Bunch III (Podium 1)
Smithsonian Secretary-elect Lonnie G. Bunch III, May 28, 2019.
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-    Jaclyn Nash / Smithsonian InstitutionLonnie G. Bunch III (Podium 3)
Smithsonian Secretary-elect Lonnie G. Bunch III, May 28, 2019.
Download(3.03 MB) 
-    Jaclyn Nash / Smithsonian InstitutionLonnie G. Bunch III (Podium 2)
Smithsonian Secretary-elect Lonnie Bunch, May 28, 2019.
Download(2.17 MB) 
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