Smithsonian 

Diversity and Inclusion 

Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Overview 4

Executive Summary 5

Secretary 13

Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 13

Under Secretary for Finance & Administration/Chief Financial Officer 22

Accessibility Program 22

Office of the Chief Information Officer 27

Office of Contracting & Personal Property Management 28

Office of Finance & Accounting 28

Office of Human Resources 28

Office of Investments 32

Smithsonian Enterprises 33

Smithsonian Facilities 34

Smithsonian Exhibits 36

Under Secretary for Museums & Research/Provost 37

Archives of American Art 37

Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage 40

Cultural Heritage Preservation Office 42

Freer - Sackler Galleries of Art 43

Museum Conservation Institute 64

National Air and Space Museum 65

National Collections Program 70

National Museum of African Art 70

National Museum of American History 78

National Museum of Natural History 95

National Portrait Gallery 109

National Postal Museum 110

National Zoological Park 111

Office of Fellowships & Internships 117

Smithsonian American Art Museum 127

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 2
Under Secretary for Museums & Research/Provost (cont.)

Scientific Diving Program 137

Smithsonian Institution Archives 137

Smithsonian Institution Libraries 139

Smithsonian Latino Center 143

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute 159

Assistant Secretary for Advancement 159

Assistant Secretary for Communication & External Affairs 161

Office of Visitor Services 161

Assistant Secretary for Education & Access 162

Smithsonian Affiliations 162

Smithsonian Center for Learning & Digital Access 163

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibitions 163

Smithsonian Science Education Center 169

The Smithsonian Associates 171

Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 3
As diversity and inclusion are integral to all aspects of the Smithsonian Institution's operations and key components of the Smithsonian 

Strategic Plan, OEEMA developed and published the Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report (DIIR) in an effort to capture and report on the 

multiplicity of diversity and inclusion related activities around the Institution. The data for this report is drawn from a SharePoint website 

that allows units to submit any and all efforts they feel meet the criteria of a diversity and inclusion initiative. To help units identify what can 

be included in this report, units were told to consider the following examples to assist them in telling their stories through the information 

submitted on this SharePoint site:

• Programs

• Activities

• Recruitment and Outreach Efforts

This report contains over 600 entries from 38 Smithsonian units. While the Executive Summary is only 12 pages, the entire report consists of 

over 170 pages of tables and text. For quick access to your unit’s information, please reference the table of contents.

The Report demonstrates the Smithsonian’s ongoing commitment to reflect the nation’s pluralism in its workforce, programming and

business relationships.

OVERVIEW

Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 4
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ALL SMITHSONIAN

Over 600 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 38 Smithsonian units. All historically underrepresented groups were represented in the diversity and inclusion initiatives, with African

Americans and Hispanics having the highest percentage (19%) of initiatives aimed at underrepresented groups. The aim of these diversity and inclusion initiatives was to increase the Smithsonian

brand in these communities resulting in greater representation of these groups in the Smithsonian’s workforce, supplier base and public programming. The percentage of diversity initiatives aimed

at historically underrepresented groups greatly exceeded these groups representation in the Civilian Labor Force. This report also includes residents of under-resourced communities, and while this

group and others have no recognized percentage of reference, these communities are an important focus in the Smithsonian’s efforts to increase and diffuse knowledge across the United States

and around the world.

Secretary ASA ASCEA ASEA Provost USFA/CFO

# of Initiatives 35 9 1 65 450 60

# Units 1 1 1 6 20 9

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Initiatives by Direct Report

19%

15%

19% 12%

11%

10%

9% 5%

Number and Percent by Race and Ethnicity

African Americans (388)

Asian Americans (316)

Hispanics (377)

Individuals w/Disabilities (248)

Native Americans (227)

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (198)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communities* (180)

Other ** (95)

*Communities with limited and/or under-funded access to educational resources and technology.

**Includes: Women, Women in Aerospace, Palestinians, Non-English speaking individuals, Millennials, LGBTQ+, Korean museum 

professionals, Historically Underrepresented groups, Haitian community, Graduate students, Post-docs, Early-career professionals, 

Muslim communities, Americans of Middle Eastern descent, Quechua, Iranians, Latino(s), Non-Americans, Russian, German, Italian, 

Afghani, Middle-Eastern, Youth and teen, Women and girls, Seniors, Non-local audiences, Turkish, Indian, Greek, Persian, Families, 

Discharged Military Veterans and Adult Scholars

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 5
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ALL SMITHSONIAN (CONT.)

While all three diversity and inclusion initiative categories were represented, program diversity had the highest percentage of initiatives (75%). Additionally out of the over 600 initiatives, 136 were

STEM initiatives.

***While only 4% of the initiatives reported fell in the supplier diversity category, the Smithsonian

achieved 5 of 6 established supplier diversity goals.

75%

4%

21%

Initiatives by Category

Program Diversity (520)

Supplier Diversity*** (29)

Workforce Diversity (142)

Secretary ASA ASCEA ASEA Provost USFA/CFO

# of Initiatives 35 9 1 65 432 60

# of STEM 12 0 0 12 86 16

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

STEM Initiatives 

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 6
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

Over 30 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by OEEMA. All historically underrepresented groups were represented in the diversity and inclusion initiatives at a rate that either met or

exceeded their percentage in the Civilian Labor Force. Hispanics and Asian Americans were the underrepresented groups that had the highest percentage (17%) of initiatives aimed at increasing

their participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion categories were represented.

15%

17%

17% 15%

14%

14%

5%

3%

Number and Percent by Race and Ethnicity

African Americans (25)

Asian Americans (29)

Hispanics (29)

Individuals w/Disabilities (26)

Native Americans (24)

Native Hawaiians/Pacific

Islanders (24)

Residents of UnderResourced Communities* (9)

Other ** (5)

*Communities with limited and/or under-funded access to educational

resources and technology.

**Includes: LGBTQ+ Community and Women

34%

30%

36%

Initiatives by Category

Program Diversity (18)

Supplier Diversity (16)

Workforce Diversity (19)

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 7
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNDER SECRETARY FOR FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Over 50 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 9 USFA units (AP, OCIO, OCON, OFA, OHR, OI, SE, SF, and SIE). All historically underrepresented groups were represented in the diversity

and inclusion initiatives at a rate that either met or exceeded their percentage in the Civilian Labor Force. Individuals with Disabilities were the underrepresented group that had the highest

percentage (24%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion categories were represented, with workforce diversity the largest (51%).

16%

13%

14%

24%

11%

10%

5%

7%

Number and Percent by Race and Ethnicity

African Americans (26)

Asian Americans (21)

Hispanics (22)

Individuals w/Disabilities (40)

Native Americans (18)

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

(17)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communities* (8)

Other ** (12)

* Communities with limited and/or under-funded access to educational resources and

technology.

** Includes: Graduate students, Post-docs, Early-career professionals, Millennials, Women,

Blind

45%

4%

51%

Initiatives by Category

Program Diversity (36)

Supplier Diversity*** (3)

Workforce Diversity (41)

***While only 4% of USFA’s initiatives reported were in the supplier

diversity category, the USFA achieved 5 of 6 established supplier diversity

goals.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

AP OCIO OCO

N

OFA OHR OI SE SF SIE

# of Initiatives 18 5 1 3 13 6 3 10 1

Initiatives By Unit

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 8
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNDER SECRETARY FOR MUSEUMS & RESEARCH/PROVOST

Over 430 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 20 Provost units (AAA, CFCH, Cultural Heritage Program-CHO, FSG, MCI, NASM, NCP, NMAfA, NMAH, NMNH, NPG, NPM, NZP, OFI,

SAAM, Smithsonian Diving Program-SDP, SIA, SIL, SLC, and STRI).

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

AAA CFCH CHO FSG MCI NASM NCP NMAfA NMAH

# of Initiatives 18 5 3 81 2 17 1 43 38

Initiatives by Unit

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

NMNH NPG NPM NZP OFI SAAM SI Div SIA SIL SLC STRI

# of Initiatives 55 6 4 18 35 52 2 6 21 41 2

Initiatives by Unit (cont.)

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 9
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

UNDER SECRETARY FOR MUSEUMS & RESEARCH/PROVOST (CONT.)

All historically underrepresented groups were represented in the diversity and inclusion initiatives at a rate that either met or exceeded their percentage in the Civilian Labor Force. Hispanics were

the underrepresented group that had the highest percentage (20%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion categories were

represented, with program diversity being the largest (83%).

***While only 1% of Provost initiatives reported were for supplier diversity, it is noteworthy that for all contracts awarded

by Provost units 42% of contracts were with small businesses, 9% of contracts were with non-8(a) Small Disadvantaged

Businesses, and 17% of contracts were with women owned small businesses.

19%

16%

20%

11%

11%

9%

9% 5%

Number and Percent by Race and Ethnicity

African Americans (278)

Asian Americans (240)

Hispanics (297)

Individuals w/Disabilities (169)

Native Americans (165)

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

(139)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communities* (134)

Other ** (67)

* Communities with limited and/or under-funded access to educational resources and technology.

** Includes: LGBTQ+, Afghan, Adult scholarly, Families, Women, youth, Turkish, Indian, Greek, Persian, Women and Girls, Teen

audiences, Americans of Middle Eastern descent, Middle Eastern, Latino(s), Iranian, Quechua, Hispanic girls, Haitian community, 

Korean museum professionals, Historically underrepresented groups, Native Alaskan, Non-English speaking individuals, 

Palestinians, Women in Aerospace, and Discharged Military Veterans

83%

1% 16%

Initiatives by Category

Program Diversity (416)

Supplier Diversity (5)

Workforce Diversity (79)

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 10
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ADVANCEMENT

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Advancement submitted 9 initiatives. All historically underrepresented groups were represented in the diversity and inclusion initiatives at a rate that either 

met or exceeded their percentage in the Civilian Labor Force. African Americans were the underrepresented group that had the highest percentage (21%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their 

participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion categories were represented, with program diversity the largest (60%). 

21%

16%

5% 18%

16%

11%

8% 5%

Number and Percent by Race and Ethnicity

African Americans (8)

Asian Americans (6)

Hispanics (7)

Individuals w/Disabilities (2)

Native Americans (6)

Native Hawaiians/Pacific

Islanders (4)

Residents of UnderResourced Communities* (3)

Other ** (2)

60%

10%

30%

Initiatives by Category

Program Diversity (6)

Supplier Diversity (1)

Workforce Diversity (3)

* Communities with limited and/or under-funded access to educational resources and technology.

** Women

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 11
Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report

Fiscal Year 2016

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION & ACCESS

Over 60 diversity and inclusion initiatives were submitted by 6 ASEA units (ASEA, SA, SCLDA, SITES, SSEC and TSA). All historically underrepresented groups were represented in the diversity and

inclusion initiatives at a rate that either met or exceeded their percentage in the Civilian Labor Force. African Americans had the highest percentages (32%) of initiatives aimed at increasing their

participation at the Smithsonian. All three diversity and inclusion categories were represented, with program diversity the largest (95%).

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS & EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

The Office of Visitor Services submitted one diversity and inclusion initiative that targeted underrepresented groups with a focus towards the African American, Asian American and Hispanic

communities.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

ASEA SA SCLDA SITES SSEC TSA

# of Initiatives 1 3 1 21 6 33

Initiatives By Unit

32%

12%

13% 6%

8%

8%

16%

5%

Number and Percent by Race and Ethnicity

African Americans (49)

Asian Americans (18)

Hispanics (20)

Individuals w/Disabilities (10)

Native Americans (13)

Native Hawaiians/Pacific

Islanders (12)

Residents of Under-Resourced

Communities* (25)

Other ** (8)

84%

5%

11%

Initiatives by Category

Program Diversity (62)

Supplier Diversity (4)

Workforce Diversity (8)

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 12
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA

Supplier Diversity 

Goal 

Accomplishments

During FY 2016 the Smithsonian Institution exceeded 5 of 6 

Supplier Diversity Goals; specifically: small business (40.1%, 

goal is 23.1%), small disadvantaged (15.6%, goal is 5.0%), 8(a) 

small disadvantaged (3.3%, goal is 3.0%), women-owned 

(15.0%, goal is 5.0%), and HUB-Zoned (4.2%, goal is 3.0%). 

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Supplier Diversity Goals No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Hispanic 

Association of 

Colleges and 

Universities 

Conference (HACU)

Participated, along with staff from OFI, SLC, NMAH and OHR; 

in 2015 Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities 

Conference in Miami, FL. Connected with hundreds of 

students and facilitated a workshop that provided career 

direction and networking advice to 75 Latino students. 

Participation resulted in a pan-institutional effort in providing 

career and academic appointment information to 

underrepresented groups and sharing the message that the 

Smithsonian is dedicated to equal opportunity, diversity and 

inclusion.

October 2015 Completed Hispanics

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Society for 

Advancement of 

Chicanos/Hispanics 

and Native 

Americans in 

Science Conference

SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the 

success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American 

scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain 

advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in 

science. The conference was highly interactive, with more 

than 1,000 participants made up of students, exhibitors 

(academic and professional) and science practitioners.

OEEMA and OHR met with and provided outreach materials 

to representatives from Hispanic Serving Institutions, Tribal 

Colleges and Universities and other academic institutions that 

hold large populations of underrepresented groups.

September 2015 Completed Hispanics

Native Americans

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 13 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA

CAREERS & the 

disABLED Career 

Expo

Participated, along with staff from AP, OHR and OFI, in the 

CAREERS & the disABLED Career Expo. This pan-institutional 

outreach effort reached over 100 individuals with a disability. 

The Institution shared information regarding Schedule A 

hiring and Reasonable Accommodation practices. This 

resulted in numerous individuals with disabilities learning the 

Smithsonian is a place where they too can succeed and find 

careers or academic appointments.

November 2015 Completed

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Member of 

Academic 

Appointment 

Diversity and 

Publicity Taskforce 

(AADAPT)

As a member of AADAPT, OEEMA is dedicated to increasing 

diversity in all forms including but not limited to gender, 

race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, age, ability, and sexual 

orientation in Smithsonian Institution’s internships and 

fellowships. AADAPT’s pan-institutional team meets monthly. 

Members regularly participate in outreach events such as 

affinity-group conferences and internship/career fairs in 

Washington, DC and around the country to promote 

SI academic programs to diverse audiences.

FY 2016 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Counseling

Career Fairs

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA Latino Working 

Committee

OEEMA meets with LWC quarterly to support their internal 

and external initiatives.

October 2015 - 

September 

2016

In-progress Hispanics

African Americans Affinity Group No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA APAHC Meetings

OEEMA colloborates with APAHC (Asian Pacific American 

Heritage Committee) during meetings to offer guidnace and 

participate in programs and initiatives spearheaded by the 

group.

FY 2016 In-progress Asian Americans Affinity Group No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 14 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA

NSF - Committee 

on Equal 

Opportunities in 

Science and 

Engineering

OEEMA represented the Smithsonian at NSF's Committee on 

Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering (CEOSE) and 

presents information regarding SI’s STEM related educational 

programs and initiatives to the committee. PArticipation is 

met with high praise and the Institution was commended by 

NSF for its efforts to further STEM education to 

underrepresented groups. 

October 2015 - 

September 

2016

In-progress

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Please choose all that apply: Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA Project SEARCH 

Training

OEEMA provided POWH training to in-coming Project 

SEACRH participants. March 2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Career Counseling Yes Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

U.S. Women's 

Chamber of 

Commerce - 

National Small 

Business Federal 

Contracting Summit

OEEMA participated in the U.S. Women's Chamber of 

Commerce National Small Business Federal Contracting 

Summit. This outreach event provided the Smithsonian the 

opportunity participate in one-on-one matchmaking sessions 

with the women-owned business community. All firms were 

encouraged to register in the Smithsonian's Small Business 

Database.

03/16/2016 - 

03/17/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Women as Veteran 

Entrepreneurs 

Annual Seminar 

(WAVE)

OEEMA participated in the Women as Veteran Entrepreneurs 

Annual Seminar (WAVE). This outreach event provided the 

opportunity to give advice and assistance to the womenowned, veteran-owned small business community. All firms 

were encouraged to register with the Smithsonian Small 

Business database.

03/17/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 15 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA

American 

University Outreach 

and Diversity 

Career Fair

OEEMA attended the 2016 American University Outreach and 

Diversity Career Fair. The event drew over 1,000 prospective 

interns, fellows and employees. AU students and alumni lined 

up to ask questions regarding job and academic appointment 

opportunities at the Institution.

03/23/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling

Career Fairs

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Capital Area Gay & 

Lesbian Chamber of 

Commerce Career/

Networking Fair

Provided outreach materials regarding SI careers and 

academic appointments. 03/30/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

LGBTQ+ Community

Career Fairs Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Government 

Procurement 

Conference

Assisted with the planning and participated in the annual 

Government Procurement Conference. This outreach 

opportunity provided the Smithsonian to participate in oneon-one matching opportunity with the small business 

community, including local businesses. All firms were 

encouraged to register with the Smithsonian's Small Business 

Database.

04/06/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA UDC Career Fair

In colloboration with OFI and NZP, OEEMA participated in the 

UDC Spring Career Fair. SI reps met with potential interns, 

fellows and employees who were excited to hear about the 

diverse opportunities avaliable at the Smithsonian. 

04/06/2016 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Career Fairs

Career Counseling Yes Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 16 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA

Capital Region 

Minority Supplier 

Development 

Council Super 

Matchmakers 

Conference

OEEMA participated in the Capital Region Minority Supplier 

Development Council Super Matchmakers Conference. This 

outreach opportunity provided the Smithsonian to participate 

in one-on-one matchmaking sessions with the local small 

business community. All firms were encouraged to register in 

the Smithsonian's Small Business Database. 

04/24/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Association of 

Asian American 

Studies Conference 

Attended and particpated in AAAS Conference. Met with 

professors and students regading fellowship opportunities at 

the Institution and attended sessions focusing on diversity 

within the Asian community, cultural appropriation and their 

struggle for inclusion.

04/24/2016 - 

04/30/2016 Completed Asian AmericansNative Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Small Business 

Administration's 

National Small 

Business Week

OEEMA participated in the Small Business Administration's 

National Small Business Week. This outreach event provided 

the Smithsonian the opportunity to conduct one-on-one 

matchmaking sessions with the small business community. All 

firms were encouraged to register in the Smithsonian's Small 

Business Database. 

05/01/2016 - 

05/07/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA SI GLOBE

OEEMA participates in SI GLOBE related activities dedicated 

to provideing outreach to the LGBTQ+ community inside and 

outside the Smithsonian.

October 2015 - 

September 

2016

In-progress

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

LGBTQ+ Community

Affinity Group Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 17 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA

CelebrAsian 

Procurement 

Opporutnity 

Conference

Particpated in the U.S. Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce's 

CelebrAsian Procurement Opporutnity Conference. This 

outreach event was an opportunity to provide advice and 

assistance to the Asian American business community on how 

to do business with the Smithsonian. Firms interested in 

working the Smithsonian were added to the Smithsonian's 

Small Business Database. 

06/01/2016 - 

06/03/2016 Completed Asian Americans Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Eleanor Holmes 

Norton Access to 

Capital Small 

Business Fair

Participated in the Eleanor Holmes Norton Access to Capital 

Small Business Fair. This outreach event was an opportunity 

to provide advice and assistance to the local small business 

community. Firms interested in doing business with the 

Smithsonian were added to the Smithsonian's Small Business 

Database.

06/07/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

DC Chamber of 

Commerce Small 

Business Expo

Participated in the DC Chamber of Commerce Small Business 

Expo. This outreach event was an opportunity to provide 

advice and assistance to the local small business community. 

Firms interested in doing business with the Smithsonian were 

added to the Smithsonian's Small Business Database.

06/08/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA America's Small 

Business Summit

Participated in America's Small Business Summit. This 

outreach event was an opportunity to provide advice and 

assistance to the small business community. Firms interested 

in doing business with the Smithsonian were added to the 

Smithsonian's Small Business Database.

06/13/2016 - 

06/15/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 18 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA

National 

Association of 

Minority 

Contractors Annual 

Conference

OEEMA participated at the National Association of Minority 

Contractor's Annual Conference. This outreach event was an 

opportunity to provide advice and assistance to minority0wned firms interested in doing business with the 

Smithsonian. These firms were registered into the 

Smithsonian's Small Business Database. 

06/15/2016 - 

06/18/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Women's Business 

Enterprise National 

Council Conference 

OEEMA participated at the Women's Business Enterprise 

National Council Conference. This outreach event was an 

opportunity to provide advice and assistance to womenowned small business community. Firms interested in doing 

business with the Smithsonian were registered into the Small 

Business Database. 

06/21/2016 - 

06/23/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Women

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

ProBiz 

Procurement 

Opportunity

OEEMA participated at ProBiz Procurement Opporutnity 

Conference. This outreach event was an opportunity to 

provide advice and assistance to the local small business 

community. Firms interested in doing business with the 

Smithsonian were registered into the Small Business Database. 

07/20/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA Elite SDVOSB 

National Conference

OEEMA participated at the Elite Service-Disabled VeteranOwned Small Business (SDVOSB) Conference. This outreach 

event was an opporutnity to provide advice and assistance to 

the SDVOSB community. Firms interested in doing business 

with the Smithsonian were regsitered in the Small Business 

Database.

08/24/2016 - 

08/26/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 19 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA

Congressional Black 

Caucus Annual 

Legislative 

Conference

Staff from OEEMA, NMAAHC, NMAH, NMAI, and AAA 

participated in the Congressional Black Caucus Annual 

Legislative Conference. This outreach event was and 

opporutnity to provide advice and assistance to the African 

American business community. Firms interested in doing 

business with the Smithsonian were registered in the Small 

Business Database. 

09/14/2016 - 

08/18/2016 Completed African Americans Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Secretary OEEMA EEO Training 

During FY 2016 OEEMA provided both in-person and online 

refresher training to employees and affiliated persons (interns, 

fellows and volunteers). This resulted in the Institution 

achieving its goal of 80% compliance for supervisors and nonsupervisory employees. Final FY 16 numbers were: EEO for 

Supervisors: 87% and Non-supervisors (POWH): 83%.

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Training No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA Pride Month 

Speaker Series

OEEMA attended round NMAH sponsored discussion with 

Bishop V. Gene Robinson. Robinson discussed the importance 

of inclusion for LGBTQ community members and the overall 

respect a culture must provide their citizens regardless of 

perceived differences. 

06/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

LGBTQ

Information session No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

Attended 

Committee on 

Equal Opportunity 

in Science and 

Engineering 

(CEOSE) Meeting 

OEEMA presented SI broadening participation initiatives 

related to STEM education to NSF's CEOSE committee. 

Presentation was met with high praise and the Chair of CEOSE 

provided a thank you correspondence to the Secretary, 

thanking the Institution for its commitment to STEM 

education. 

06/08/2016 - 

06/09/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Committee Meeting Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 20 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

Secretary OEEMA CAPAL's Annual 

AAPI Career Fair

Participated in CAPAL's annual Asian American Pacific 

Islander Career fair with OFI. Provided information to 

potential employees and academic appointees about 

opportunities at the Institution. 

07/2016 Completed Asian Americans

Career Counseling

Career Fairs

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

No Workforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA BELT Training OEEMA conducted Basic Entry Level Training (BELT) on 

POWH to new OPS officers. 07/01/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Career Counseling

Training No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

2016 Federal 

Dispute Resolution 

Conference (FDR)

Conference provided sessions and best practices on resolving 

workplace disputes and avoiding situations that lead to 

complaints – ultimately reducing costly litigation for your 

agency. Workshops also attended regarding conscious and 

unconscious bias, bullying and overall civility in the workplace. 

08/01/2016 - 

08/04/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations Yes Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

Secretary OEEMA

National 

Association of 

Women Business 

Owners Conference

OEEMA participated at the National Association of Women 

Business Owners Conference. This outreach event was an 

opporunity to provide advice and assistance to the womenowned small business community. Firms interested in doing 

business with the Smithsonian were registered in the Small 

Business Database.

09/18/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Women

Procurement/Business Fairs No Supplier Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 21 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO

AP Project SEARCH 

(interns and hires)

Project SEARCH is a 10-month internship program for young 

adults with cognitive disabilities, which is sponsored by the 

Accessibility Program. Interns in 3 10-week internships during 

their tenure to increase their job readiness skills. In addition, 

interns gain experience in other job development areas, such 

as resume writing, interviewing and professional workplace 

behavior. Each year the Smithsonian hosts 10-12 interns. To 

date, SI has hired 21 interns with a 90% retention rate, further 

diversifying SI's workforce. 

08/2013 - 

Present In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Internship Program No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO

AP Access to 

Opportunities

ATO is an internship program for college students with 

disabilities. Typically, there are 5-8 ATO interns each year. 

Funded by the HSC Foundation, interns are placed in various 

units throughout SI that relate to their field of study and/or 

career path. Ashley Grady, Program Specialist, recruits 

students, selects candidates from applicant pool, secures 

internship placements, and evaluates results from intern and 

mentor feedback.

Ongoing In-progress Individuals with Disabilities

Career Counseling

Community Outreach and 

Programs

No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO

AP Morning at the 

Museum

MATM is an ongoing initiative in which individuals with cognitive 

disabilities or sensory processing disorders and their families are 

invited to visit an SI museum one hour before it opens to the 

public. Families are given "pre-visit" materials to help them 

prepare (e.g., social stories, visual schedules, sensory tips, etc.) 

and are allowed to participate in theme-related activities that are 

developed for different learning types. MATM was developed by 

staff in the Accessibility Program and currently hosts monthly 

events at different SI museums (e.g., NASM, NPG, NPM, NMAH, 

etc.). In addition, Ashley Grady and Beth Ziebarth chair a 

Community Advisory Committee that meets monthly and 

develops programming for diverse audiences. 

Ongoing

One event each 

month

In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Community Outreach and 

Programs

No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 22 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO AP AADAPT, Committee Member

As a member of AADAPT, AP is dedicated to increasing 

diversity in all forms including but not limited to gender, 

race/ethnicity, socio-economic status, age, ability, and sexual 

orientation in Smithsonian Institution’s internships and 

fellowships. AADAPT’s pan-institutional team meets monthly. 

Members regularly participate in outreach events such as 

affinity-group conferences and internship/career fairs in 

Washington, DC and around the country to promote SI 

academic programs to diverse audiences.

Ongoing In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Pan-Institutional Outreach No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO AP

Greater 

Washington 

Internship 

Coaliltion, 

Committee Member

As a member of the GWIC, the Accessibility Program is 

dedicated to increasing the number of internship and 

educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities at SI 

and in the community. The GWIC meets quarterly. Members 

regularly participate in outreach events such as affinity-group 

conferences and internship/career fairs in Washington, DC to 

promote SI academic programs to diverse audiences.

Ongoing In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Community Outreach and 

Programs No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO AP

Stories of Inclusion: 

Inclusive Practices 

at Cultural 

Institutions 

(Webinar Series)

AP Staff presented and moderated webinars in collaboration with 

AAM for three-part series about inclusion in cultural organizations. In 

addition, the AP arranged to host viewings of the webinar in 

collaboration with NASM and NMAfA. In this three-part webcast 

series, advocates and experts explore issues of accessibility and 

inclusion from the perspective of visitors, staff and facility or program 

users in museums, libraries, archives and other cultural institutions. 

Presenters and special guests in each webcast highlight case studies 

and examples of inclusive practice, addressing and responding to the 

first-hand stories of visitors with disabilities. 

10/07/2015

10/14/2015

10/28/2015

Completed Individuals with Disabilities Outreach No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 23 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO AP

Best Practices in 

Developing 

Programs to Bridge 

the Gap Between 

Museums and 

Individuals with 

Cognitive, 

Intellectual, and 

Sensory Processing 

Disabilities

Ashley Grady, Program Specialist, AP chaired a session at the 

Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums' Annual Meeting. 

Panelists and audience members discussed ways to diversify 

programs and provide inclusive learning opportunities for all. 

10/22/2015 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USFA/

CFO AP

National Disability 

Employment 

Awareness 

Reception

Accessibility Program hosted a panel and reception to 

celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month 

in the Castle Commons. Beth Ziebarth, Director acted as a 

keynote speaker. Panelists from other local organizations 

spoke about inclusive hiring practices. 

10/29/2015 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USFA/

CFO AP Accessibility Training

Accessibility Program staff members provided training to new 

volunteers at NASM, including access services, making 

programs accessible, and inclusive customer service for all 

visitors.

Ongoing

11/07/2015

03/01/2016

05/21/2016

07/30/2016

In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Volunteer and Docent Training No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 24 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO AP

disABLED Career 

Expo

Participated in this career fair with representatives from 

OEEMA, OFI, and OHR. The disABLED Career Expo provides 

prospective employees and interns the opportunity to speak 

with representatives from businesses and organizations that 

are interested in diversifying their workforce. Multiple inquiries 

and follow-ups occurred, and one individual applied and was 

accepted into the Access to Opportunities internship program. 

11/13/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Fairs No Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO

AP

Safety and 

Accessibility at the 

Smithsonian

Docent training with speakers by Beth Ziebarth, Director of 

Accessibility and Ashley Terrell-Rea, Project SEARCH Program 

Specialist.

11/18/2015 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Docent training No Program Diversity

USFA/

CFO

AP

Demo Accessibility 

Tour of WAM 

Permanent 

Collection

Docents visited the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore to 

participate in a touch tour demo for low vision and vision 

impaired visitors.

01/06/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Docent training No Program Diversity

USFA/

CFO

AP

White House Visitor 

Center Accessibility 

Training

Co-hosted by the Accessibility Program and NMNH, SI staff 

from multiple units and museums (e.g., educators, exhibition 

design, etc.) participated in a day-long in-service training at 

the White House Visitors Center (WHVC). The WHVC recently 

underwent a renovation to increase accessibility in all areas 

(e.g., physical structure, content, exhibition design, etc.). SI 

staff learned about universal design techniques/strategies in 

the hopes of implements similar tools at SI facilities. 

01/14/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Staff Training No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 25 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO

AP Visitor Access 

Services Provided visitor access services. FY 2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Training and Services no Program Diversity Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO AP Accessibility Training

 Ashley Grady provided training to new officers as a part of 

the BELT training series, including access services, making 

programs accessible, and inclusive customer service for all 

visitors.

Ongoing

02/05/2016

07/12/2016

10/04/2016

In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Staff Training No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO

AP

Mitsubishi Electric 

America 

Foundation 

Networking Event

Staff of the Accessibility Program represented SI at the MEAF 

25th Anniversary reception and networking event, which 

celebrated inclusion and diversity in the workplace for people 

with disabilities. As a result, staff members were able to 

connect with community partners and organizations and 

collaborate on future programs. 

02/25/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Community Outreach and 

Programs

No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO AP

Making Public 

History Accessible: 

Exploring Best 

Practices for 

Disability Access 

Working Group

Ashley Grady served on a working group for the National 

Council on Public History's Annual Conference. The Working 

Group members presented case studies related to creating 

accessible spaces and programs. Participants created action 

items for their respective sites to increase awareness and 

promote universal access.

03/17/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USFA/

CFO AP Accessibility Training

Beth Ziebarth and Ashley Grady provided an all-day training 

to docents at NMAAHC, including access services, making 

programs accessible, verbal description, sighted guide, using 

assistive listening equipment, tactile experiences, and 

inclusive customer service for all visitors.

08/13/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Docent training No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 26 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO OCIO Project Search

OCIO participated in this one-year transition program 

designed for young adults with intellectual and developmental 

disabilities who are in their last year of high school or recent 

graduates. The program targets individuals whose main goal 

is employment, and who will benefit from full time career 

exploration in a business setting

08/2015 - 

06/2016 Completed African AmericansIndividuals with Disabilities Internship Yes Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OCIO Internships OCIO has hosted 11 interns of varied ethnicities and backgrounds FY 2016 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Internship Yes Program Diversity

USFA/

CFO OCIO Website Accessibility

In July 2016 OCIO issued a technical note (TN-950-TN06), 

which established the Smithsonian website accessibility 

targets and procedures to make all Smithsonian web 

resources accessible to people with disabilities in addition to 

the broader population. This new procedure proactively 

manages accessibility by scheduling regard website 

accessibility scans to assist site owners in remediation and SI 

with governance.

07/2016 In-progress

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Website Yes Program Diversity

USFA/

CFO OCIO Schedule A recruitment Hired two individuals with disabilities FY 2016 on-going Individuals with Disabilities Recruitment yes workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OCIO Bridges to Independence (b2i)

Part of the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless, b2i 

works to empower high-achieving high school youth, ages 14-16, 

who are either homeless or in transitional housing, through a yearlong leadership enrichment program. A significant population of 

the students are foreign-born, often refugees, from various 

countries in North Africa, the middle East, and Central America. 

They tend to be bi-lingual or multi-lingual, and as noted earlier 

high-achieving students in their respective schools. OCIO hosted 

a group of b2i students for a day long introduction into 

Information Technology.

08/2016 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Counseling Yes Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 27 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO

OCON & 

PPM

OCon&PPM Annual 

Share Fairs and 

Blanket Purchase 

Agreement (BPA) 

Fairs

Annual Share Fair extends opportunities for SI employees to 

visit with OCon&PPM function area representatives about 

existing procurement policy, new initiatives, and priorities for 

utilizing SD/SDB. The annual BPA Fair assists with 

encouraging SI employees to meet/network with BPA 

contractors, some of whom are SD/SDB.

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Outreach No Supplier Diversity

USFA/

CFO OFA Galludet Briefing on IRM; potential internship program Ongoing In-progress Individuals with DisabilitiesBlind Internship Yes Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OFA Museum Day Live!

had staff from all of our teams represented at the career fair 

for girls conducted as part of the Museum Live event this past 

spring.

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

outreach Yes Program Diversity 

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OFA Project SEARCH Participated in Project SEARCH FY 2016 on-going Individuals with Disabilities internship yes workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR

OMB/OPM Task 

Force on Increasing 

Diversity in the 

STEM workforce by 

Reducing the 

Impact of Bias

Increasing Diversity in the STEM workforce by Reducing the 

Impact of Bias FY2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

OMB/OPM Task Force Yes Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 28 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO OHR

6th Annual Student 

Conference on 

Conservation 

Science 

The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation and its partners 

invite graduate students, post-docs, and early-career 

professionals to take part in the annual Student Conference on 

Conservation Science – New York. As a part of the only 

international series of conservation conferences featuring 

students, SCCS-NY provides opportunities for emerging 

scientists to professionally network, gain experience, and 

present and get feedback on their work. Interactions with 

peers as well as leaders in science, policy and management will 

encourage collaborations, inspire further research, and create 

lasting professional connections.

10/08/2015 Completed Graduate Students, Post-docs, and 

Early-career Professionals

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Career Counseling

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR

29th Annual 

Conference of 

Hispanic 

Association of 

Colleges & 

Universities 

HACU’s College and Career Fair brings together college-bound 

students, their families and current college students with 

postsecondary education institutions. The fair is also the ideal 

opportunity for students from colleges and universities 

nationwide to meet directly with employers to discuss careers, 

part-time jobs, internships, and/or volunteer opportunities.

10/09/2015 - 

10/13/2015 Completed Hispanics

Career Counseling

Career Fairs

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR Villanova Career Fair

Throughout the year, career fairs and recruiting events are 

planned to connect organizations with opportunities to 

students and alumni seeking full-time jobs and internships. 

10/26/2015 Completed Millennials Career Counseling

Career Fairs No Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR

SACNAS National 

Conference - 

Advancing 

Chicanos/ Hispanics 

& Native Americans 

in Science

SACNAS is organized by Society for Advancement of 

Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science 

(SACNAS). For over 40 years SACNAS has been the leading 

multicultural and multidisciplinary STEM diversity 

organization in the country.

10/29/2015 - 

10/30/2015 Completed HispanicsNative Americans

Career Counseling

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 29 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO OHR

30th Annual 

Conference of 

Hispanic 

Association of 

Colleges & 

Universities 

HACU’s College and Career Fair brings together college-bound 

students, their families and current college students with 

postsecondary education institutions. The fair is also the ideal 

opportunity for students from colleges and universities 

nationwide to meet directly with employers to discuss careers, 

part-time jobs, internships, and/or volunteer opportunities.

10/08/2016 - 

10/10/2016 Completed Hispanics

Career Fairs

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Career Counseling

No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR

Smithsonian 

Affiliations - 

Conference 

Resource and 

Exhibitor Fair 

Smithsonian collaborates with other museums and those with 

similar missions in broadening our diversity and inclusion 

portfolio and sharing knowledge.

10/18/2016 Planned Millennials Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR

7th Annual Student 

Conference on 

Conservation 

Science

The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation and its partners 

invite graduate students, post-docs, and early-career 

professionals to take part in the annual Student Conference on 

Conservation Science – New York. As a part of the only 

international series of conservation conferences featuring 

students, SCCS-NY provides opportunities for emerging 

scientists to professionally network, gain experience, and 

present and get feedback on their work. Interactions with 

peers as well as leaders in science, policy and management will 

encourage collaborations, inspire further research, and create 

lasting professional connections.

10/20/2016 - 

10/22/2016 Planned Graduate Students, Post-docs, and Early-career Professionals

Career Counseling

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 30 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO OHR

Millennials 

Outreach Event - 

Millennials in the 

Workplace 

Dialogue Series: 

Diversity in the 

Workplace Moving 

Beyond Stereotypes

This is a 3-part series that is geared towards millennials from 

diverse backgrounds to help them learn more about how to 

enter the workforce.

10/25/2016 Planned Millennials Career Counseling No Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR

Historically Black 

Colleges and 

University (HBCU) – 

Career 

Development Fair 

The HBCU Career Development Marketplace is a national 

conference designed in 2004 to inform and educate top 

undergraduate students of Historically Black Colleges and 

Universities (HBCU) about how to achieve success in corporate 

America. During this national conference, students attend a 

series of workshops on leadership, what to expect after 

graduating and on how to effectively begin a career. The 

students speak face-to-face with experienced HBCU alumni 

from many different professions and gain access to 

representatives from corporations, organizations and 

government agencies seeking to hire talented students. The 

event continues to grow and it ultimately benefits talented 

graduating students. 

11/09/2016 - 

11/011/2016 Planned African Americans Career CounselingCareer Fairs No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR

Careers & the 

Disabled 

Magazine's Career 

Expo for People 

with Disabilities 

CAREERS & the disABLED Magazine's Career Expo For People 

With Disabilities brings industry and government together 

with people with disabilities who are entry level and 

professionals in all career disciplines.

11/18/2016 Planned Individuals with Disabilities Career Fairs

Career Counseling No Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 31 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO OHR Villanova, Spring Career Fair

Throughout the year, career fairs and recruiting events are 

planned to connect organizations with opportunities to 

students and alumni seeking full-time jobs and internships.

02/07/2017 - 

02/08/2017 Planned Millennials Career CounselingCareer Fairs No Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OHR NAACP Diversity Career Fair 

At Professional Diversity Network, we know that career 

advancement directly relates to the professional network that 

you cultivate. Join us for a unique, complimentary event 

designed to give diverse professionals a chance to network, 

socialize and increase your career success. Engage with 

corporate leaders and make quality connections that will help 

you build a solid network of professionals who value diversity.

07/25/2017 Planned African Americans Career Counseling

Career Fairs No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OI Recruiting

Office of Investments (OI) has always been committed to 

supporting women and minorities. our searches are broad 

enough to include a diverse pool of candidates. 

FY 2016 Completed African Americans

Asian Americans Recruiting No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OI Internship program

Similar with the hiring process, our search for the summer 

interns is broad enough to ensure we have a diverse pool of 

candidates. Specifically, of the four interns brought onboard 

during the 2016 summer internship program two were Asian 

American.

FY 2016 Completed Asian Americans Internship Program No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO OI EEO Training This training course offered by Smithsonian is included in all OI employees’ performance plan. Annually In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Training No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 32 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO OI Supplier

OI has contracted with 3 consultants for advisory services 

related to different asset classes. One of the consulting 

companies is owned by an African American. Since 2008, OI 

has had an excellent relationship with this company being one 

of their first clients and have seen the company grow over the 

years.

As of 10/11/2016 In-progress African Americans Consulting No Supplier Diversity

USFA/

CFO OI Suppliers

OI considers diversity among the suppliers it contracts for 

different services. In July 2016, OI contracted woman-owned 

small business as a strategic consultant for a one day 

workshop with OI team “Communication and Collaboration to 

Increase Team’s Performance."

July 2016 Completed Women Workshop No Supplier Diversity

USFA/

CFO OI NMAACH/volunteer

NMAACH/volunteer - our staff takes pride in the mission and 

outreach of our newest museum and two individuals from our 

staff volunteered during the busy days of the museum 

opening.

Oct 2016 Completed African Americans

Asian Americans Volunteer No Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO SE

Quarterly Staff 

Meetings and 

monthly coffee 

meetings

Chris Liedel, President of SE holds quarterly meetings for all 

SE staff to attend to provide business updates and new 

initiatives SE plans to support the mission of SI. Chris Liedel 

also holds monthly morning coffee meetings for small groups 

of employees to discuss any issues or concerns and to assure 

meeting the majority of new employees. 

FY 2016 on-going

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Staff Outreach no workforce diversity

USFA/

CFO SE Staff Recognition

SE recognizes employee service starting at 5 years and Chris 

Liedel awards both a letter of congratulations, award 

certificate and service pin.

FY 2016 on-going

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Staff Outreach no workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 33 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO SE Diversity Recruiting

 SE provides job announcements and collborates with 

organizations such as theNational Association of Black 

Journalists , National Association of Hispanic Journalists and 

Asian American Journalists Association for diversity 

recruitment

FY 2016 on-going

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

recruitment no workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO SF Community of Gardens Expand and educate about gardens FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

public programs yes Program Diversity

USFA/

CFO SF Hiring OPS filled Unarmed Security Officer Position FY 2016 Completed African Americans Recruitment No workforce diversity

USFA/

CFO SF

Compensated Work 

Therapy Program 

(CWT)

OPS provides CWT FY 2016 on-going

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Programming Outreach no workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO SF Project SEARCH OPS hired former Project SEARCH Intern FY 2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities African Americnans hiring no workforce diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 34 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO SF Internships Paid internships through: OBATS,OPS,OPDC,OSHEM FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

INternships no workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO SF

Fire Protection 

Career Fair 

Outreach

OSHEM Fire Protection Career Fair Outreach FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career fair no workforce diversity

USFA/

CFO SF Gardens to Garbage Educate a dievrse groups about gardening FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

public programming Yes program diversity

USFA/

CFO SF Garden Fest Garden Fest – educate a diverse group abouthorticulture science FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

public programs yes program diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 35 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USFA/

CFO SF Training

 FY16 Q4 also included a plethora of training for Smithsonian 

Facilities employees. A new diversity dialogue course, 

focusing on communication skills and cultural differences, was 

provided to OFMR employees. These courses helped to 

reinforce positive communication avenues with peers, 

managers, and subordinates. A concerted effort was made in 

collaboration with OEEMA to provide Equal Opportunity 

training to SF employees. In September 2016, SF hosted 3 

EEO 300 courses, which reached 67 employees. SF and 

OEEMA will continue with SF-targeted training in the future.

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Training and Services no Program Diversity 

Workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO SF Recruitment Diversity

Smithsonian Gardens posts vacancies in various publications 

that target underrepresented groups to expand our 

recruitment pool.

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Recuirment no workforce Diversity

USFA/

CFO SIE Future Kings Tour

Smithsonian Exhibits (SIE) toured a group of young boys from the 

Future Kings Program. The Future Kings Program is a not-forprofit, 501 (c)(3) organization whose goal is to leverage the work 

history of engaged adults in order to create a pathway to success 

for boys from underserved communities. The Smithsonian 

Exhibits 3D Studio make everything from skulls to fake 

mountains. They toured the group through their operation 

displaying the art of producing replicas, dioramas, mannequins, 

touchable 3D maps, object mounts and brackets, and 

demonstrated how to digitally capture shape and sizes of an 

object and produce an exact copy using the 3D printers and CNC 

router or CNC milling machines. Our model makers and artists 

have an incredible range of skill sets, as well as some of the 

newest technology available.

03/2016 Completed Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities Virtual Programming Yes Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 36 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

AAA 2015 Archives Fair: 

Hidden Connections

Barbara Aikens, Head of Collections Processing, and Rihoko 

Ueno, Processing Archivist, participated in a panel entitled 

“Archives Related to WWII Japanese American Confinement 

Sites” as part of the 2015 Archives Fair DC organized by the 

Caucus of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference, the 

National Archives Assembly, and the Smithsonian Institution 

Archives and Special Collections Council. There were about 

fifty people in attendance.

10/30/2015 Completed Asian Americans Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA

College Art 

Association Annual 

Conference 2016 in 

Washington, DC

Josh Franco, Latino Collections Specialist, presented “Latina/o 

Presence in the Archives of American Art” at the College Art 

Associations Annual Conference 2016 in Washington, DC. 

Approximately forty people attended.

02/03/2016 Completed Hispanics

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA

College Art 

Association Annual 

Conference 2016 in 

Washington, DC

Mary Savig, Curator of Manuscripts, co-chaired a panel, “‘The 

Black Craftsman Situation’: A Critical Conversation about Race 

and Craft” at the College Art Associations Annual Conference 

2016 in Washington, DC. Approximately fifty people attended.

02/06/2016 Completed African Americans

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA

 Early and Midcareer artists at 

Guadalupe Cultural 

Arts Center

 Josh Franco participated in a roundtable for early and midcareer artists at Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, San Antonio, 

Texas. Fifteen people attended.

02/15/2016 Completed Hispanics Round table (Discussion) No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost AAA

Latinx Presence at 

the Archives of 

American Art

Josh Franco presented, “Latinx Presence at the Archives of 

American Art” in the art history department at Southwestern 

University, Georgetown, Texas. Seventeen people attended. 

02/23/2016 Completed Hispanics Presentation No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 37 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

AAA Museum Day Live!

AAA joined hundreds of cultural institutions across the country 

to participate in Museum Day Live! Museum Day Live! took 

place during Women’s History Month to encourage all people, 

and particularly women and girls of color, to discover the arts 

and sciences as they visited the nation’s museums, libraries, 

national parks, aquariums and zoological parks. AAA’s 

program, Archives Careers 101, invited participants to take 

part in a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about archives and a 

special Q&A with staff members focused on how they became 

interested in working with archives, their educational 

backgrounds, and career paths.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Career Fairs

Career Counseling No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost AAA

2016 Latino Art 

Now! Conference

Josh Franco participated in the panel “Living Archives: 

Recovering the Sources for Latino American Art” at Latino Art 

Now! Re-Imaging Global Intersections Conference at InterUniversity Program for Latino Research at University of IllinoisChicago. Approximately fifty people attended. 04/09/2016 Completed Hispanics Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA Dead Lands

Josh Franco, participated in “Dead Lands: Josh Franco in 

Conversation with Rotem Rozental” at ICI Curatorial Hub in 

New York. Approximately ten people attended. 

04/28/2016 Completed Hispanics Discussion No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA

FY 2016 Asian 

Pacific American 

Initiatives Pool 

(APAIP) Award

FY16 APAIP award for Processing of Three Japanese American 

Artists' Papers (Miné Okubo, Kamekichi Tokita, Bob 

Stocksdale/Kay Sekimachi), making available to the public the 

documentation of their lives, work, and experience, including 

their time in Japanese American Confinement Camps. 

06/2016 - 

06/2017 In-progress Asian Americans Expanding Collections/Broadening Access No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 38 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

AAA

Horowitz-Fraad 

Minority Internship 

Program

The internship focused on supporting digital operations 

activities. The emphasis aligned with the intern’s academic 

goal of receiving an MLS at Catholic University and included 

collections and item cataloging, support for AAA's collection 

digitization workflows; AAA's new Drupal website relating to 

access to collections; and increasing AAA's participation in the 

SI Transcription Center.

06/06/2016 - 

08/20-2016 Completed Hispanics Internship No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA

Archives of 

American Art 

Journal

Received funding support from NMAAHC and the Provost's 

Office for the Fall 2016 special issue of Archives of American 

Art Journal on new scholarship in African American Art.

07/2016 Completed African Americans Broadening Access No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA Latino Pool Award

Received additional funding to support contracted Latino 

Collections Specialist. The activities of the Collector provide 

unique primary sources for generations of scholars, students, 

art enthusiasts, and Smithsonian research staff to deepen 

their understanding of Latino art and culture. 

07/2016 - 

08/2016 In-progress Hispanics Expanding Collections/ Broadening Access No

Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Supplier Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA Latino Museum 

Studies Program

Through a collaboration with the SLC Josh Franco gave a tour 

of AAA to the Latino Museum Studies Program Fellows. 15 

participants.

07/07/2016 Completed Hispanics Tour No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA

Latinx Presence in 

the Archives of 

American Art

Josh Franco gave a presentation, “Latinx Presence in the 

Archives of American Art” to Joan Mitchell Foundation grant 

recipients. Artists of Latinx descent (including the Caribbean) 

were invited. There were 11 participants.

07/14/2016 Completed Hispanics Presentation No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 39 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

AAA

Paul Ramirez Jonas 

Art 

Josh Franco hosted a gallery talk with artist Paul Ramirez 

Jonas at the Fleischman Gallery for approximately 22 

attendees. 

07/15/2016 Completed Hispanics Gallery Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA

Expanding the 

Legacy: New 

Collections on 

African American 

Art

AAA exhibition in the DWRC's Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery 

in celebration of the opening of NMAAHC.

09/23/2016 - 

03/21/2017 In-progress African Americans Exhibitions No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost AAA

2016 Congressional 

Black Caucus 

Foundation's 

Annual Legislative 

Weekend

AAA SDP Liaison represented the Smithsonian Institution at 

the 2016 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual 

Legislative Weekend. Approximately 150 conference 

attendees visited the Smithsonian’s exhibit booth No. 324 and 

received information regarding programs and exhibitions 

across the Smithsonian, in addition to insights on doing 

business with the Smithsonian. Included distributing 

information on SI newest museum, the National Museum of 

African American History and Culture. 

09/15/2016 Completed African Americans Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Supplier Diversity

USMR/

Provost

AAA

Perspectives on 

African American 

Art and Artists 

Today 

Perspectives on African American Art and Artists Today was 

an Archives of American Art donor relations program hosted 

by an Archives trustee at DC Moore Gallery in New York. 

Moderator Franklin Sirmans, director of the Perez Art Museum 

Miami, led artists Whitfield Lovell and Leslie Hewitt in a 

thought-provoking discussion attended by more than 60 

people. Archives Trustees worked with volunteers to build the 

diverse invitation list.

09/14/2016 Completed African Americans Donor Relations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost CFCH Recruitment Recruited new Latino digital curator FY 2016 Completed Hispanics Recruitment No Workforce Divversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 40 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

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SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

CFCH Cultural Research Curatorial research funds on cultural diversity and heritage FY 2016 Completed

 African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities 

Research visit from indigenous 

community

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost CFCH Mentoring Paid mentorship program for young women of color FY 2016 Completed

 African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities 

Mentoring No Program Diversity 

Workforce DIversity

USMR/

Provost

CFCH Smithsonian 

Folkways albums 

New Smithsonian Folkways albums related to diverse 

audiences FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Cultural Recovery No program diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 41 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

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Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost CFCH Folklife Festival

Smithsonian Folklife Festival program on Basque and BasqueAmerican culture, (diverse) Sounds of California, and “On the 

Move” (immigration)

June-July 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Outreach No Program Diversity 

USMR/

Provost

Cultural 

Heritage 

Preservatio

n Office

Haiti Cultural 

Recovery Project Haiti Cultural Recovery Project FY 2016 Planned Hatian Community Cultural Recovery No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

Cultural 

Heritage 

Preservatio

n Office

First Aid to Cultural 

Heritage Course

First Aid to Cultural Heritage Course- included participants 

from 17 different countries FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Outreach No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

Cultural 

Heritage 

Preservatio

n Office

United to Save 

World Cultures International Symposium and Web Outreach FY 2016 Planned

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

outrecah no Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 42 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost FSG Chinese Object Study Workshops

Each year, we work with two different museums in US that 

hold Chinese art collection (including Freer|Sackler itself) to 

offer two week-long workshops that provide graduate 

students in Chinese art history an immersive experience in the 

study of objects. Each workshop involves the participation of a 

hosting museum and relevant staff, faculty members from two 

different universities and about ten graduate students from 

North America and Europe. 

2013-current In-progress Asian Americans Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Volunteer 

Recruitment

Worked with Office of Visitor Services to recruit two new 

classes of volunteers to serve our Information Desks.

09/30/2015 - 

10/01/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Volunteer Recruitment No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Staff Recruitment Used various diversity web resources to recruit new employee 

to serve K-12 audiences.

09/30/2015 - 

10/01/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Diversity Recruitment

Career Fairs No Workforce Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 43 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

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Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost FSG

Diversity 

Programming for 

Docents

We offered several trainings for docents on issues related to 

diversity, inclusion, working with individuals with disabilities, 

and sensitivity training, among other topics.

09/30/2015 - 

10/01/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Training No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Volunteer 

Recruitment

Recruited volunteers at the front desk and a pilot ambassador 

program to have a diverse workforce.

10/01/2015 - 

03/31/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Volunteer Program No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Seijun Suzuki 

Retrospective

We present a touring retrospective of Suzuki’s films. This 

series is co-organized with the Japan Foundation and 

presented in conjunction with the Sackler exhibition Sōtatsu: 

Making Waves

10/09/2015 - 

12/20/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film Festival No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 44 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

FSG A Changing Craft: 

Japanese Metalwork

 In this presentation, Osumi Yukie, a distinguished metalware 

artist and the Freer|Sackler’s first artist-in-residence in 

Japanese metalware design, talks about the focus of her own 

work as well as the changes affecting her craft.

10/18/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Presentation No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Scholars Day: 

Indian Painting

Scholars Day, held on Friday, October 2, 2015, brought 

together a group of 22 leading scholars and collectors of 

Indian painting at the Sackler Storage to look closely at works 

from the Freer and Sackler’s South Asian art collection. 

Throughout the day, 4 sessions were led by facilitators who 

introduced each session, focusing on the movement of ideas, 

ideals, and imagery across geographic, cultural or disciplinary 

boundaries, followed by discussions.

10/02/2015 Completed Asian Americans Scholars Day No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG

After-Hours Event: 

Preview of Sōtatsu: 

Making Waves

We provided curator-led tours, games, hands-on art activities 

for visitors, enable them enjoy the early look at the special 

exhibition Sōtatsu: Making Waves. 

10/23/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

After-Hours Event No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 45 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Open Studio : 

Making Waves in 

Japanese Art

This open studio is for the opening weekend of i Sōtatsu: 

Making Waves!. We provided a family-friendly tour and a 

hands-on experience enable visitors to create their own 

Sōtatsu-inspired fans. There were also experiment with a 

variety of art materials, solve creative challenges, and 

collaborate with friends and family.

10/24/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Quechua

Open studio No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Colloquium: 

"Sōtatsu in 

Washington: 

Insights, 

Discoveries, and 

Reflections"

In this colloquium, the international scholars who conceived 

and developed the Sōtatsu: Making Waves summarize their 

contributions to the project and share insights garnered from 

this extensive undertaking

10/24/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Colloquium No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG

Family Workshop: 

Sculpting to the 

Beat

This tuneful program for families is designed for ages 6-12 

with adult participation. We provided an educator-led tour, 

and hands-on experience which enable visitors using clay and 

mixed media to create sculptures.

10/28/2015

11/14/2015

11/15/2015

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG

Origin Stories: A 

From on the 

Discovery and 

Interpretation of 

the Birmingham 

Qur’an Panel

The Freer and Sackler co-sponsored with the University of 

Maryland a round table discussion on the "Birmingham" 

Qur'an" reportedly the earliest example of Islam's holy text. 

The panelists included Maria Dakake, Sidney Griffith, Ahmet 

Karamustafa and Behnam Sadeghi. 

10/29/2015 Completed Asian Americans

Muslim Communities

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

No Program Diversity

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FSG

Flower-Bird-WindMoon: Asako 

Tamura, soprano; 

Mariko Furukawa, 

piano

This performance was presented by Asako Tamura and 

Mariko Furukawa, as part of the Meyer Concert Series, with 

support from the Embassy of Japan. The complete program 

includes recital of songs by Japanese composers as well as by 

Mozart, Chausson, Bellini, and Dvořák. 

11/03/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Performance No Program Diversity

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Provost

FSG Film: "Gangs of 

Wasseypur 1"

This Indian film is about an ambitious and extraordinary bloodand bullets- fueled crime saga. 11/05/2015

11/08/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Open Studio: 

Celebrate Diwali

This is a special open studio to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu 

festival of light. Visitors of all ages are invited to discover the 

Sackler’s collection of South Asian and Himalayan art through 

family-friendly tours and hands-on activities. We provided 

lamp pattern Kolam and woodblock Puja prints activities.

11/07/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Hispanics

Open Studio No Program Diversity

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Provost

FSG Fotoweek DC: 

"Frame by Frame"

In conjunction with Fotoweek DC, we present a powerful, 

award-winning documentary about photojournalism in 

Afghanistan. Stay for a post-screening Q&A with associate 

producer and translator Baktash Ahadi.

11/12/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

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Demonstrations 

and Conversations: 

Sōtatsu and the 

Social Life of Tea

Experience a Japanese tea presentation and learn about the 

culture that surrounded tea during the Keichō era. Members of 

the Omotesenke school demonstrate how bowls and other 

utensils are used for serving tea. Then, F|S curators James Ulak 

and Louise Cort reveal how the tea presentation relates to 

Tawaraya Sōtatsu’s time and to modern practices.

11/08/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Demonstrations and 

Conversations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG

Making Musical 

Waves: The Legacy 

of Yatsuhashi 

Kengyo

Four leading artists from Japan perform music by the 

revolutionary seventeenth-century composer Yatsuhashi 

Kengyo and his followers. 

11/14/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Performance No Program Diversity

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Provost

FSG

The Collector’s 

Path: Shirley 

Johnson

Shirley Z. Johnson is a scholarly collector and a longtime 

friend of the museum. In this talk, she explores the genesis of 

her collecting; contrasts her approach to collecting in each 

medium; and considers her research, archives, and 

conservation, and the various roles of collectors. This talk is 

related about the exhibition Art of the Gift: Recent 

Acquisitions and Wind and Waves.

11/15/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Talk No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 48 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost FSG Tour: Freer in Focus

Celebrate the Freer before it closes for renovation. Each of 

these short tours (15–30 minutes), held from November 17 to 

January 3, explores a different artwork in the Freer’s collection. 

Join a docent to discover the stories and cultures represented 

in these works through close looking and conversation.

11/17/2015 - 

01/03/2016 Please choose one:

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Tour No Program Diversity

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Provost FSG

Curating Japan in 

the Olympic Era 

1964/2020

The Freer and Sackler co-sponsored a forum with the 

CULCON Arts Dialogue on the rise in the popularity of 

Japanese art and architecture since the Games of the XVII 

Olympiad in 1964 in Tokyo to the upcoming 2020 Olympics in 

Japan.

11/20/2015 Completed Asian Americans Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Sōtatsu's Times: 

Perspectives on the 

Culture and Politics 

of Kyoto 

Symposium

In this symposium in conjunction with the Sotatsu: Making 

Waves exhibition, scholars from several disciplines discussed 

the social history, literature, religion, art, and patronage that 

shaped Sōtatsu’s work and life. Speakers included Mary 

Elizabeth Berry on Kyoto’s social history, Joshua S. Mostow on 

the Tales of Ise, Morgan Pitelka on Kyoto culture in the early 

seventeenth century, Tomoko Sakomura on Sōtatsu’s many 

inspirations, and Jacqueline I. Stone on religion in Kyoto 

during the artist’s time. 

12/05/2015 Completed Asian Americans Symposium No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 49 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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FSG Spread the word

The Freer Gallery will close for renovation on January 4, 2016, 

so we can better present our art and serve our visitors. In this 

event, we provided ceramics talk, Kimono show, symposium 

about the culture and politics of Kyoto, Book Signing activity, 

and also hands-on experience workshop in ImaginAsia 

classroom.

12/05/2015 - 

12/06/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Open studio No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Art and Me: Playful Fish Prints

We provided an educator-led tour of the exhibition Sōtatsu: 

Making Waves, and then guide the children use authentic 

materials to make their own fish print. This program is 

designed for children ages 3-5 with adult participation. 

12/12/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

The Collector’s 

Path: Benjamin 

Zucker

Benjamin Zucker is a leading gem connoisseur and collector 

from a long history of jewelers. In this talk, he shares tales of 

his worldwide travels to acquire precious stones. Hear about 

the Taj Mahal emerald on which his novel Green is based and 

the fourth-century Roman diamond that inspired the book 

Elihu Yale: Merchant, Collector, and Patron, written by Zucker 

with Dianna Scarisbrick.

12/13/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Iranian Film Festival We present 11 Iranian films in the Silver Theater to show the 

culture and art of Iran. And finally we have 3114 attendance.

01/02/2016 - 

02/28/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Iranians

Film Festival No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 50 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost FSG Say Goodbye to the Freer!

See treasures in the Freer before the gallery closes for 

renovation. We provided special tour and open studio for this 

events.

01/02/2016

01/03/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Open studio No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Adult Workshop: 

Japanese 

Papermaking

Explore the intricacies of Japanese papermaking through this 

hands-on workshop for adults, led by Saaraliisa Ylitalo of 

Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. Learn 

what makes Japanese paper unique and how it was decorated 

during Sōtatsu’s time. Try beating kozo (mulberry) fibers, and 

experiment with making paper from mulberry and abaca pulp 

to take home. 

01/10/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Open Studio: Playing with Words

Discover Xu Bing’s Monkeys Grasp for the Moon during an artfilled afternoon. Examine the artwork on a family-friendly tour 

(held at 12 and 2 pm) and experiment with art materials, solve 

creative challenges, and collaborate with friends and family. 

01/16/2016 - 

01/17/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Open Studio No Program Diversity

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Provost

FSG

Bits and Pieces: 

Tawaraya Sōtatsu 

and the Genius of 

Fragmentation

In the galleries of Sōtatsu: Making Waves, James Ulak, senior 

curator of Japanese art, discusses Sōtatsu’s concept of positive 

breakdown as a unique and renewing force in Japanese art 

from the early 1600s through the early twentieth century.

01/29/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Talk No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 51 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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FSG

Making Musical 

Waves: The Legacy 

of Yatsuhashi 

Kengyo

Hear how the blind composer and performer Yatsuhashi 

Kengyo revolutionized Japanese music in the 1600s by 

bringing the instruments and styles of the imperial court, 

including the koto, to a wider audience. 

01/30/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Performance No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Conversation: Early Images of Egypt

This event is related to the exhibition Perspectives: Lara 

Baladi. F|S archivist David Hoggeshares contextual evidence of 

how strong those perspectives were and establishes a strong 

contrast between historical images of Egypt and the 

contemporary Egypt explored in Lara Baladi’s work.

01/31/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Teen Workshops: 

Digital Design 

Unleashed

Freer|Sackler and the Hirshhorn’s ARTLAB+ for an exploratory 

3D digital design workshop. Inspired by a life-size sculpture of 

the Cosmic Buddha, uncover how digital technologies can 

bring new insights to an ancient object. Then, walk over to 

ARTLAB+. It help teenagers learn how to digitally design threedimensional objects. For ages 13–19. 

02/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Korean Cultural 

Foundation Global 

Museum Fellow

Freer|Sackler hosted a young Korean scholar as a fellow as 

part of our Global Museum Internship program supported by 

the Korean Cultural Foundation from February 2016 to May 

2016.

02/2016 - 

05/2016 Completed Korean museum professionals Museum Research Fellowship No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Project Search Internship

Placement of an intern with developmental disabilities to build 

skills to ready him for the workforce.

02/01/2016 - 

03/31/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Internship No Workforce Diversity

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Provost FSG Lunar New Year Celebration

 Our second annual Lunar New Year celebration features free 

attractions for all ages, including:

• Dance performances by Madison Chinese Dance Academy

• Ribbon-dancing tutorials

• Calligraphy

• Mask making and coloring

• Lunar New Year resolutions

• Family-friendly tours of Monkeys Grasp for the Moon

• Photo booth fun

02/06/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Turkish, Indian, Greek, Persian 

Open Studio No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Open Studio: Love 

in Every Language

Enjoy a digital slideshow of images of love in Asian art, create 

Valentine’s Day cards using woodblock prints that say “love” in 

more than a dozen Asian languages, and fold heart-shaped 

origami. All ages welcome with adult companions.

02/13/2016 - 

02/14/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Middle Eastern

Open Studio No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Conversation: 

Digital 

Technologies and 

Archaeology in the 

Modern Middle East

Emily Hammer, director of the Center for Ancient Middle 

Eastern Landscapes at the Oriental Institute of the University 

of Chicago, examines the methods Ernst Herzfeld used during 

his Pasargadae expeditions and other Iranian explorations 

between the 1910s and 1930s. She compares them to those of 

today’s archaeologists, who are equipped with satellite images 

showing ancient road and irrigation networks, geophysical 

maps of unexcavated city walls, precise three-dimensional 

models of ancient palaces, and models of how humans might 

have traveled through ancient streets and landscapes.

02/13/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Talk No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 53 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Conversation: 

Social Uses of 

Photographs in 

Revolutionary Egypt

Lucie Ryzova of the University of Birmingham examines the 

varied social uses of photographs of young martyrs in 

revolutionary Cairo. These photographs are used as mourning 

sanctuaries in the homes of the deceased and carried around 

in public spaces as political demonstrations. The faces of 

martyrs are remediated through stenciling and as graffiti on 

city walls.

02/20/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Nowruz: A Persian 

New Year 

Celebration

With free attractions for all ages, this year's festival is held in 

the Sackler and adjacent Ripley Center as the Freer undergoes 

renovation. Activities included: Haft sin table display; 

storytelling by Xanthe Gresham; book signing by Najmieh 

Batmanglij; calligraphy; hands-on art activities; photo booth; 

food trucks; and featured exhibitions Turquoise Mountain: 

Artists Transforming Afghanistan and The Heart of an Empire: 

Herzfeld’s Discovery of Pasargadae

03/05/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Open Studio No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Demonstrations: 

Artisans at Work

The Turquoise Mountain artisans who are visiting from 

Afghanistan demonstrate the materials and techniques of 

their crafts in the exhibition.

03/06/2016

03/10/2016

03/12/2016

0313/2016

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Demonstration No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Museum Day Live

This is a family-friendly activities which enable them to 

discover the special exhibition Perspectives: Lara Baladi with 

an activity guide, sketch kits, and a collage art-making 

activity. Also an artisan visiting from Afghanistan will share 

personal and national stories of transformation.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Afghan

Open Studio No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 54 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost FSG Family Workshop: Afghan Fighter Kites

We provided hands-on experience for children ages 6-12 to 

create their own Afghan kite.

03/19/2016 - 

03/20/2016

09/17/2016 - 

09/18/2016

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG In Conversation: 

Ahmed Mater

This event is related to the exhibition Symbolic Cities, artist 

Ahmed Mater with curator Carol Huh and a special guest, talk 

about how his unique perspective as a doctor and artist based 

in Saudi Arabia influences his photography, videos, and 

installations.

03/20/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conversation No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Environmental Film 

Festival

We provided two films, one is documentary, and one is science 

fiction. Both of them talk about the today's environment 

problems.

03/20/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG

Tikotin: A Life 

Devoted to 

Japanese Art

This is a documentary talk about the German-Jewish 

Collector. And We teamed up with the Washington Jewish 

Film Festival to co-present this acclaimed documentary about 

the founder of the Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art in Haifa, 

Israel.

03/29/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG The Art of Afghan Music

This is an event for visitors to enjoy classical Afghan music and 

learn about its history form the leading exponent of eighteenstringed rubāb (lute), Afghanistan’s national instrument. 

04/01/2016

04/02/2016

04/03/2016

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Afghani

Open Studio No Program Diversity

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FSG Indian Cinema 

Pioneer

We provided two films to talk about the Indian Cinema. This is 

an event about the documentary and preceded by a 

introduction and book signing by Suranjan Ganguly.

04/08/2016

04/13/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Family Workshop: 

Paper Trails

This is an activities for children ages 6-12 and adults to use 

traditional Japanese papers and bookmaking tools and 

techniques to create their own artist's book. 

04/10/2016

04/16/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Iranian

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Turkish Film Week

We provided two Turkish film in this week. This screening is 

held at Landmark E Street Cinema. It will be preceded by a 

free public reception at 6 pm

04/11/2016 - 

04/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Demonstrations: Artisans at Work

The Turquoise Mountain artisans who are visiting from 

Afghanistan will demonstrate the materials and techniques of 

their crafts in the exhibition.

04/14/2016

04/16/2016 - 

04/17/2016

04/21/2016

04/23/2016 - 

04/24/2016

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Demonstration No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 56 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost FSG Cherry Blossom Anime

We provided three Japanese anime films at the Smithsonian 

American Art Museum. They are "Miss Hokusai", From Up on 

Poppy Hill" and "A Letter to Momo".

04/16/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Conversation: 

Immortals and 

Fishermen: Poetry, 

Painting, 

Calligraphy in the 

Wu School

Jonathan Chaves, professor of Chinese at George Washington 

University, presents and discusses paintings, calligraphies, and 

poems by such Wu masters as Shen Zhou, Tang Yin, and Zhu 

Yunming. 

04/17/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conversation No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Osman Hamdi Bey: 

Hero or Villain? 

Lecture

Distinguished scholar of Ottoman History, Edhem Eldem gave 

a public talk on Osman Hamdi Bey, the Ottoman 

archaeologist, painter and director of the Imperial Museum. In 

this talk, Eldem evaluated and put in perspective Osman 

Hamdi Bey’s contributions to the Ottoman archaeology and 

museology, which has been overshadowed by the attention 

his paintings recently received in the art markets. 

05/06/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Korea Day: A Family Festival

Celebrate Korea Day with free cultural activities for the entire 

family! Activities include:

• Hands-on art activities

• Musical performance

• Taekwondo demonstrations

• Storybook readings by DC Public Library staff

• Trunk shows: painter Minsun Oh and jewelry maker Chon 

Hae Jung

• Book signing: Temple Foods by Jung Lee 

• Food trucks

05/07/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Latino

Open Studio No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 57 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost FSG

Painting with 

Music: Bell Yung, 

qin

We provided performance of one of the world's leading 

authorities on the ancient seven-stringed zither called qin. 

Audience could learn about music from China's Ming dynasty. 

05/13/2016

05/14/2016

05/15/2016

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Performance No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG The Bard in Bollywood

We provided two films from Bollywood, and this screening is 

held at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center.

05/15/2016

05/21/2016 Please choose one:

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Korean Film Festival

We provided a series of films to show the Korean culture, art 

and social problems. This screening is held at the AFI Silver 

Theatre and Cultural Center. 

05/19/2016 - 

06/25/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Open Studio: 

Symbolism in 

Stories

This event is related to special exhibition Symbolic Cities: The 

Work of Ahmed Mater. We provided hands-on experiment 

with art materials, challenges, and collaborate with family.

05/28/2016 - 

05/29/2016 Completed African AmericansAsian Americans Open Studio No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 58 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost FSG

Provenance! From 

WWII-era to 

Antiquities, Global 

to Local, and 

Philosophical to 

Practical

As part of the American Alliance of Museums Annual 

Conference program, in this" Onsite Insights" session, 

provenance research experts shared their expertise with 

colleagues from a diverse group of museums on issues such as 

due-diligence; developing a plan that aligns with their 

museums’ goals and priorities; and offered insights on how to 

share this information with the public. 

05/29/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

A Thousand 

Splendid Garments: 

Reception and Talk 

with Filmmaker Lee 

Won-suk

We cooperated with Korean Cultural Center, Embassy of the 

Republic of Korea. There was a display of Korean costumes, 

including reproductions of Joseon dynasty jeogori by designer 

Kim Hye-soon.

06/03/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Reception and Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Open Studio: 

Welcome to Murad 

Khani

In this family-friendly activities, we provided a tour of the 

special exhibition Turquoise Mountain and some creative 

hands-on activities in the ImaginAsia classroom.

06/11/2016 - 

06/12/2016

06/25/2016 - 

06/26/2016 

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Open Studio No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Wu School and the Three Perfections

In the galleries of Painting with Words: Gentleman Artists of 

the Ming Dynasty, Stephen Allee, associate curator for 

Chinese painting and calligraphy, discusses the connections 

among these complementary art forms.

06/14/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Talk No Program Diversity

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FSG

Summer Open 

House: Painting 

with Words

We provided an evening event for the exhibition Painting with 

Words, which include brush painting, calligraphy, music, and 

poetry reading activities for visitors.

06/16/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Open House No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Artist Talk: 

Foundland 

Collective

This is a talk from the artists Lauren Alexander and Ghalia 

Elsrakbi who created Foundland, and received the prestigious 

Smithsonian Artists Research Fellowship.

06/25/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Conversation: 

Symbolic Cities

Curator Carol Huh discusses the work of renowned Jeddahbased artist Ahmed Mater. In particular, Huh examines his use 

of photography and video to convey an unparalleled view of 

the transformations taking place in today’s Saudi Arabia.

06/26/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conversation No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Youth 

Performance: 

Music, Mixing, and 

Madness

This is a show presented by the Teen Council, and we provided 

music, food, and many team games. 07/07/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Performance No Program Diversity

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Provost FSG Chinamania AfterHours Preview

This is a special after-hours celebration of the opening of 

Chinamania. 07/08/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

After-Hours Event No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Lecture: A Theory of Everything

Artist Walter McConnell discusses themes and motivations 

related to his work in Chinamania, including weird 

taxonomies, competing cosmologies, and the compulsion to 

collect.

07/09/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Open Studio: Crazy for Ceramics

This is a family-friendly activities was related to the exhibition 

Chinamania, which enable children to make their own art.

07/16/2016 - 

07/17/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Open Studio No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Performance: The 

Art of Afghan Music

We provided traditional Kabuli songs called ghazals, based on 

romantic Persian poetry and cultivated in the courts of old 

Kabul since the eighteenth century, in our exhibition 

Turquoise Mountain: Artists Transforming Afghanistan.

07/22/2016

07/24/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Performance No Program Diversity

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Provost FSG Teen Takeover: Night of Lights

The Freer|Sackler Teen Council presents a free after-hours 

event exploring the intersections between art and technology. 

Explore the museum as you never have before with a fun 

lineup of activities: Pokémon Go walking tours; performances 

by DJ Trap God and DJ Beauty & the Beatz; curator tour of 

Perspectives: Michael Joo; Google Cardboard DIY and pop-up 

tours; open mic hosted by Busboys and Poets; photo booth 

fun; short films by Kihachirō Kawamoto and Playing the 

News; art making activities; calligraphy demonstrations and 

Attan dance lessons in Turquoise Mountain; and food trucks.

08/04/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Night Event No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Diversity Hired Project Search intern 08/08/2016 - 

08/07/2018 In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Project Search Internship Yes Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG

Summer Open 

House: Arts of 

Afghanistan

In order to celebrating Afghanistan’s Independence Day 

(August 19). We provided a fun-filled afternoon event. Making 

art, tasting Afghan food, hearing from artisans, watching 

musical performances, listening to traditional stories read by 

ARCH International, and exploring the arts of Afghanistan. 

08/13/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Open House No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG Film: "Jia Zhangke

We provided two films of Mainland master Jia Zhangke. The 

films show how China's economic boom and the resulting 

materialism have affected the bonds of family, tradition, and 

love. This screening is held at National Museum of American 

History, Warner Bros. Theater.

08/20/2016 - 

08/21/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Film No Program Diversity

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Provost FSG

High Fashion for 

Muslim Wear: New 

Designs from Java

This event is held at the George Washington University’s 

Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. We provided fashion 

show about Muslim wear and Indonesian designers.

09/10/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Performance No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG

Masters of Tibetan 

Bronzework: Nima 

and Dawa Dakpa

In this talk, filmmaker Dawa Drolma joins her father and 

brother to discuss their work and share insights into sculptures 

from the Himalayan region on view in the Freer|Sackler. A 

reception follows.

09/10/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

FSG Meet the Artist: 

Gauri Gill

In Celebrating the opening of Notes from the Desert: 

Photographs by Gauri Gill during this special afternoon, We 

provided a event that enable visitors meet Gill, a New Delhibased artist, and Carol Huh, associate curator of 

contemporary Asian art. 

09/17/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost FSG

Lecture: Narayan 

Khandekar on 

Rothko’s Colors

In conjunction with the exhibition Red: Ming Dynasty/Mark 

Rothko, Narayan Khandekar, director of the Straus Center for 

Conservation and Technical Studies at Harvard Art Museums, 

shares the center’s work restoring the colors Rothko used in 

his murals.

09/18/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Lecture No Program Diversity

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Category

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Provost

FSG

Strings Meet 

Gamelan: Chamber 

Music from 

Indonesia

This event is held at George Washington University, Betts 

Theatre 09/22/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Performance No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

MCI

The Centre for 

Doctoral Training in 

Science and 

Engineering in Art 

Heritage and 

Archaeology 

(SEAHA) program

over the next 8 years MCI's Centre for Doctoral Training in 

Science and Engineering in Art Heritage and Archaeology will 

train a minimum of 60 doctoral students heritage, science and 

engineering. A unique feature of their training will be the 

tripartite supervision MCI will be developing with students 

benefiting from the support of experts in universities, industry 

and cultural institutions to advance the knowledge and skills 

base of the cultural heritage sector. 

11/22/2014 In-Progress

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Memorandums of 

Understanding Formal

Professional Training 

International Program

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

MCI MCI Fellowships 

and MCI Internships

MCI Fellowships and Internships are announced thru various sources 

that target diverse audiences, such as thru the Conservation 

Distribution List, which reaches over 10,000 people in 92 countries. As 

well as through other distribution lists such as the Museum-L that 

reaches over 4,000 people and gets picked up and redistributed; the 

American Institute of Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) 

reaches over 3500 people in 20 countries. MCI also announces 

through other sources such as the National Organization for the 

Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical 

Engineers, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, 

American Society for Engineering Education; Society of Woman 

Engineers; Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers; Society for 

Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science; and the 

Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects.

10/01/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Professional Training No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 64 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Diversity

Category

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Provost

NASM DC Field Trip 

Outreach (Google) DC Field Trip Outreach (Google) FY 2016

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Student outreach Yes program diversity

USMR/

Provost NASM Holt Scholars

science teachers and their students investigated astronomy 

and planetary science through classroom activities, field trips, 

and teacher professional development under the Holt Scholars 

Program. The Holt Scholars Program is made possible through 

the generous support of The Hillside Foundation - Allan and 

Shelley Holt.

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

outreach Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NASM The Explainers Program

NASM's Explainers Program employs high school and college 

students as intermittent employees and is funded with grants 

to support programming throughout the National Mall 

Building and the Udvar-Hazy Center, including the How 

Things Fly gallery, the Haas Public Observatory, Tech Quest, 

Discovery Stations, and interactives. The Explainer Program 

employs a highly diverse staff.

Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Student Work Program Yes Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 65 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Initiative

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Group(s) Engaged

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Category

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Provost NASM

Promoting 

Palestinian STEM 

Education

NASM in collaboration with the US Consulate in Jerusalem, 

and Al Nayzak, a Ramallah-based educational non-profit 

organization, works to promote science, technology, and 

entrepreneurship education in Palestinian communities. 

Through this initiative, NASM curators and educators 

providing students, ages 14-17, from the Palestinian 

Territories, a one-week experience with science, technology, 

engineering, and math (STEM) activities at the Museum and 

the greater Washington DC area. 

Annually, Since 

2013 In-Progress Palestinians STEM Education Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NASM

NASM Visitor 

Services Volunteer 

Program

Visitor Services includes diversity training in the mandatory 

training session to all incoming volunteers. Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Volunteer Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NASM Science in Pre-K

NASM's Science in Pre-K is a program that provides 

professional development for preschool and kindergarten 

teachers and field trips for students in Title I schools in the 

District of Columbia Public Schools and Public Charter 

Schools. This program provides access to low income families 

that do not regularly take advantage of our programs.

2008 - Onward In-Progress

African Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

School Outreach Yes Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 66 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost NASM 6th Grade Astronomy Program

NASM's 6th Grade Astronomy Program prioritizes DC Public 

Schools, which has a student population that is 68% African 

American and 16% Hispanic. During field trip visits to the 

NASM, students explore the intersection of astronomy and 

technology through their own telescopic observations, recent 

data, and historical examples. During teacher professional 

development, teachers gain experience with integrating NGSS 

science and engineering practices (SEPs) into Earth Science 

classroom activities and using Smithsonian/Museum resources 

to teach Earth Science.

October 2014 - 

Onward In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

School Outreach Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NASM

Hispanic Heritage 

Month: Innovators 

in Air and Space

NASM hosted a family day as part of its Northrup Grumman 

Heritage Family Days Series and in partnership 

with the Smithsonian Latino Center. The program focused on 

Hispanic innovators in air and space.

10/03/2015 Completed Hispanics Family Day Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NASM

African American 

Pioneers in Aviation 

and Space

As a part of its Northrop Grumman Heritage Family Day Series,

NASM hosted two family days, which focused on African 

American pioneers in aviation and space, such as the 

Tuskegee Airmen and NASA astronauts Stephanie Wilson at 

the National Mall Building and Jeanette Epps at the UdvarHazy Center.

02/06/2016

02/20/2016 Completed African Americans Family Day Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NASM Women in Aviation and Space

NASM hosted a family day as part of its Northrup Grumman Heritage 

Family Days Series, which focused on the accomplishments of women 

in aviation and space — from the days of early flight to the present. 

NASM worked with local universities and other organizations to 

ensure that there were plenty of career role models for our younger 

visitors. This program featured Astronaut Stephanie Wilson and 

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. This program was part of the 

Museum Day Live! event.

03/12/2016 Completed Women Family Program Yes Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 67 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost

NASM Kites of Asia

NASM hosted a family day as part of its Northrup Grumman 

Heritage Family Days Series, which featured a pan-Asian static 

display of kites and indoor kite flying. In addition to the kites, 

NASM also chose an Asian country or region to highlight 

through music and dance.

03/19/2016 Completed Asian Americans Family Program Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NASM

Explore the 

Universe: Everyone 

Looks Up

Part of the Heritage Family Day series, funded by Northrop 

Grumman, this family day celebrates multi-cultural approach 

to studying astronomy

04/09/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Indians

Educational Programming Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NASM Heritage Family 

Days

2 Women in Aviation and Space; 2 African American; 1 Asian; 

1 Hispanic; 2 multi-cultural FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilties

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Educational Programming yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NASM

Carnegie Academy 

for Science 

Education First 

Light Program

Provided one day support to First Light astronomy program 

mentoring middle school students from D.C. public, charter, 

private and parochial schools. In addition to guided Museum 

tour, participants were engaged in a hands-on science activity 

in planetary science 

05/07/2016 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Educational Programming Yes Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

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NASM NASM Internship 

Program 

NASM intentionally recruits for an increased diversity in its 

internship program which engages students in activities 

supporting all the Museum functions. For some interns, this is 

a STEM experience. In 2016 the program includes 63 interns 

of whom 6 self identify as Asian Americans; 5 as African 

American; 2 as Hispanic, 1 as Hawaiian or other Pacific 

Islander and 4 as a race or ethnicity not listed. The program is 

comprised of 43 Females and 20 Males. None self - identify as 

disabled.

06/2016-

08/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Internships No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NASM

Youth Engagement 

through Science 

(YES!)

(In support of NMNH program) the Center for Earth and 

Planetary studies offers 3 high school students from 

underrepresented groups a 6 week program of career 

immersion and science communication. Participants engage 

in research and career skills activities.

07/2016 - 

08/2016 In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Career Counseling

Internship Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NASM Women in Aviation 

and Space 

NASM hosted a family day at the National mall Building as 

part of its Northrup Grumman Heritage Family Days Series, 

which focused on the accomplishments of women in aviation 

and space—from the days of early flight to the present. NASM 

worked with local organizations to ensure that there were 

plenty of career role models for our younger visitors. This 

program featured Astronauts Mary Cleave and Ann McClain. 

Archives featured prominent women from the collections 

(Ruth Law and Sally Ride) and produced a brochure featuring 

other women's collections. Archives also highlighted a 

women's collection in a blog post.

09/17/2016 Completed Women in Aerospace Family Programming Yes Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 69 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Provost NCP Emergency Management Forum

The meeting is for the Smithsonian Collections Emergency 

Management Forum for approximately 80 SI staff members 

with possible 1-2 guest speakers from outside of the SI. 2-5 

staff members from each museum will be asked to attend this 

forum. Ideally at least 20% of the attendees will be from 

specific diversity groups.

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Meeting No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMAfA

Invitational 

Workshop, 

"Diversity and 

Inclusion in the 21st 

Century: 

Reimagining the 

Future of Museums"

NMAfA's Director and Chief Diversity Officer convened an 

invitational workshop for art museum professionals to discuss 

best practices for increasing diversity and inclusion within their 

museums. The invitational workshop, Diversity and Inclusion 

in the 21st Century: Re imagining The Future of Museums, 

took place on September 29-30, 2015 at NMAfA. The 

workshop focused on the importance of increasing diversity in 

museums, including in the composition of their boards, staff, 

exhibitions, educational programs, and visitors. Thought 

leaders gathered from across the private, public, nonprofit, 

and museum sectors to understand the current state of 

diversity and inclusion practices.

Fall 2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

LGBTQ+ Community

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMAfA Storytelling in the 

Pavilion

Everyone can participate in the joy of storytelling. Includes

hands-on objects that our experienced docents explain and 

demonstrate. 

10/03/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Youth

Workshop No Program Diversity

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Provost

NMAfA

Museum Day Live! 

2016: Inspiring 

Women and Girls of 

Color

In partnership with Smithsonian Enterprises, the NMAfA's 

Director and Chief Diversity Officer convened colleagues from 

the Smithsonian Institution, White House Council on Women 

and Girls and a number of inter-agency government entities 

(e.g. National Endowment for the Arts and National 

Endowment for the Humanities) to work collaboratively to 

organize a special edition of Museum Day Live! 2016. This 

effort brought together 528 institutions and provided 

opportunities for women and girls of color to engage with 

museums, libraries, national parks, zoological parks and 

aquariums across the United States.

4/15/2015 - 

3/16/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

LGBTQ+ Community

Youth

Public Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMAfA Book Arts

The students will tour the Africa & Artists Book exhibition and 

the museum educators will conduct a tour of the exhibition as 

well as a discussion around Dihangara Uhanga*.

10/10/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Youth

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMAfA AAM Watch & Talk

The American Alliance of Museums is currently planning a 3-

part webinar series on accessibility, Stories of Inclusion: 

Inclusive Practices at Cultural Institutions.

10/14/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Museum Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMAfA

Presentation of the 

Food of Oman: 

Recipes and Stories 

from the Gateway 

to Arabia 

The Connecting the Gems of the Indian Ocean project will host 

the Washington DC launch of Felicia Campbell’s book on 

culinary history.

10/17/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Public Program No Program Diversity

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NMAfA

 iblack 

Community Tours, 

Talks & Beyond 

In an effort to build on the success of the workshops, 

Community, Tours, Talks and Beyond will continue to provide 

a strategic sustainable platform to both engage with and build 

relationships with communities.

10/17/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMAfA Children's Africana 

Book Awards

This is the fifth year that NMAfA is hosting the CABA event.

Africa Access and the Outreach Council of the African Studies 

Association give annual awards for the best children's and 

young adult books on Africa published in the U.S. 

10/24/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Public Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMAfA Family Book Making Arts

Guests will learn the art of traditional book making techniques 

and create their own book art. The workshop guest facilitators 

will feature local and international book art making artists.

10/25/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Families

Youth

Workshop No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMAfA Director's Meeting 

with Darren Walker

Major meeting in New York with Darren Walker, President of 

the Ford Foundation to discuss mult-year proposal increasing 

diversity and inclusion Smithsonian wide.

11/01/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Fundraising No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMAfA Public Relations

The Chief S.O. Alonge: Photographer to the Royal Court of 

Benin, Nigeria was featured in the Huffington Post Arts & 

Culture section titled “These Vintage Photos Recount Nigeria’s 

History, Dissolving Stereotypes along the Way” and in the 

French publication Jeune Afrique.

11/01/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Non-local Audiences

Press coverage. No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMAfA Ota Benga: The Human Zoo

NMAfA will host the Washington, D.C. premiere of Niyi 

Coker’s critically acclaimed documentary Ota Benga: The 

Human Zoo. The film will be preceded by a docent-led tour. It 

will be followed by a discussion of African and AfricanAmerican masculinities in visual art, literature, and film. 

11/01/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Adult Scholars

Public Program No Program Diversity

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Nigerian Colleagues 

Training: Ford 

Foundation 

Diversity Museum 

Training Fellowship

Four Nigerian colleauges from the National Museum of Benin 

City came to the National Museum of African Art for a three 

week training in various museum partices and departments. 

The Alonge exhibition will travel to the National Museum of 

Benin City later in 2016.

11/2/2015- 

11/20/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Museum Training No Program Diversity

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Provost

NMAfA Adwa- An African 

Victory

Streams of a River film series seeks to engage African 

immigrant, African-American, and all people of African 

descent in meaningful and accessible conversations on notions 

of identity, history, and community - through film screenings 

and dialogue.

11/06/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Films No Program Diversity

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Provost NMAfA Project Create Teen to Teen Workshop

Project Create is a nonprofit in Washington D.C. that offers 

arts opportunities to youth age 5-24 living in transitional, 

foster, group home or long-term affordable housing settings. 

11/07/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Youth

Workshop No Program Diversity

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Provost

NMAfA Bush Mama

Bush Mama is Haile Gerima’s powerfully moving look at the 

realities of inner city poverty and systemic 

disenfranchisement.

11/07/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Film Screening No Program Diversity

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Provost NMAfA Sankofa

The film follows Mona, an African American model on a 

fashion shoot in Ghana who undergoes a journey back in time 

and place to a slave plantation in North America where she 

becomes Shola, a house slave. Though this process, Mona 

recovers her lost slave identity and confronts her ancestral 

experience.

11/11/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Film Screening No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Teza

Set in Ethiopia and Germany, the film chronicles the return of 

an Ethiopian intellectual to his country of birth during the 

repressive Marxist regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam and the 

recognition of his own displacement and powerlessness at the 

dissolution of his people's humanity and social values.

11/14/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Film Screening No Program Diversity

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Provost NMAfA

Connecting the 

Gems of the Indian 

Ocean Fashion 

Program 

Reaching out to fashion and design schools in DC for school 

visits and workshop sessions 11/12/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

DC Schools Workshop No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Books ART 

Fundamental

Book Art FUNdamentals begins with students touring the 

gallery exhibition of the amazing, original, and one-of-a-kind 

art works by African contemporary artists. 

11/13/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Youth

Youth No Program Diversity

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Provost

NMAfA Director's Talk

On Friday, Nov 13, Johnnetta spoke at a day long summit at 

the White House convened by the White House Council on 

Women and Girls and Anna Julia Cooper Center at Wake 

Forest University. The summit focused on advancing equity for 

women and girls of color.

11/13/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Women and Girls

Speech/Lecture No Program Diversity

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Provost

NMAfA

Indian Ocean: 

Fashion Panel in the 

Round

Explore the coasts of the Indian Ocean through fashion! 

Designers, bloggers, and scholars from East Africa and Oman 

discuss traditional, contemporary, and cross-cultural fashions.

11/14/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Public Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMAfA Saturday Stories Kick off your Fall weekend with our once-a-month SATURDAY STORIES at the National Museum of African Art. 11/21/2015 In-progress

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NMAfA Public Relations

BBC Filmed an Interview with NMAfA South African artist and 

NMAfA Fellow Marcus Neustetter. He talked about his work 

on the intersections of art, science, and technology and his 

recent 2015 World Technology Award.

12/01/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Non-local Audiences

Press coverage No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Artist Talk South African artist Bronwyn Lace gave a public artist's talk 

about her work. 12/01/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Artists Talk No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Giving Tuesday

NMAfA's Giving Tuesday appeal was successful and raised 

$8000,00 of the goal of $10,000 to support the Teen 

Ambassadors project for a Gallery Visitor’s App to increase our 

use of technology throughout the museum.

12/01/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Youth and Teen Audiences

Fundraising Yes Program Diversity

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NMAfA Oman Exhibition 

Opening

Opening of the Oman exhibition “Swahili Cases” with an 

opening reception was held on December 3rd. Attendance was 

about 150 people throughout the evening. Ambassador to 

the U.S. from Oman, Her Excellency Hunaina Sultan Ahmed Al 

Mughairy was in attendance as was the former U.S. 

Ambassador to Oman, the Honorable Richard Schmierer. 

Under Secretary and Acting Provost, Richard Kurin and his 

wife Allyn also attended. The exhibition opens to the public 

December 4th. This exhibition is funded from the Gems of the 

Indian Ocean project and is located in the African Mosaic 

gallery.

12/03/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Exhibition No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Artist Talk South African artist and fellow Marcus Neustetter gave a 

public artist talk where he discussed his research and his work. 12/10/2015 Completed

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Asian Americans

Hispanics

Artist Talk No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Go Beyond What 

You See

The Teen Ambassadors for NMAfA will hold a “Go Beyond 

What You See” day of activities on Saturday, December 19. 

There will be gaming stations, art activities, a teen dance 

party, selfie stations and a scavenger hunt through the 

museum. Hours are from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

12/19/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Youth and Teen Audiences

Teen Day/Education Activity Yes Program Diversity

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NMAfA Artist Talk Zambian artist and fellow Milumbe Haimbe gave a public 

artitst talk about her research and her work. 01/29/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Artist Talk No Program Diversity

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NMAfA

Docent Program 

with SI Accessibility 

Program

The docent corps participated in workshops with Smithsonian 

Accessibility Program with special emphasis on tours for 

persons with low visibility. They also are working with the 

Potomac Association of Art Therapy and proposed 

collaboration for working with individuals who have memory 

loss and their care partners in visiting the museum and 

working with art therapy.

02/01/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Seniors

Docent Program No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Market Symphony 

Exhibition Opening

Market Symphony, a sound installation by Nigerian artist 

Emeka Ogboh, which opens 3 February in NMAfA's Point of 

View Gallery

02/03/2016 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Exhibition No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Press Coverage for 

"Market Symphony"

Emeka Ogboh’s “Market Symphony” exhibition opened at 

NMAfA on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. There was coverage 

from several top tier media with interviews taking place at 

NMAfA with CNN International, BBC, NPR and the 

Washington Post.

02/03/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Non-local Audiences

Press coverage Yes Program Diversity

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NMAfA Artist Talk

A public conversation with Emeka Ogboh and curator Karen 

Milbourne where they discussed Emeka's Market Symphony 

sound sculpture, his career, and his other works of art.

02/03/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Conversation/Lecture No Program Diversity

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NMAfA

Teacher 

Development 

workshop

Explore the contemporary world of book art where the book is 

used as a creative medium. 03/05/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Public Program No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Art Workshop

Inspired by the rich diverse textile arts of Africa represented in 

our collections and exhibitions, these Summer workshops 

emphasizes the decorative aspect of design in African Arts 

and provide a FUNctional and practical learning experience in 

support of STEAM programming.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Museum Program No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Teen Poetry 

Workshop

Award-winning Sudanese-American poet Safia Elhillo guides 

teens in a poetry-writing workshop inspired by issues of 

portraiture and identity as seen in the Chief S.O. Alonge 

exhibition.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Youth

Museum Program No Program Diversity

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NMAfA

West African Dance 

with Coyaba Dance 

Ensemble

Interactive West African Dance with Coyaba Dance 

Ensemble. The performance will focus & highlight on 

women's role in dance.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Families

Women

Museum Program No Program Diversity

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NMAfA

Artist Book 

Discussion and 

Book Signing

Join the conversation with Playwright and Poet Ntozake 

Shange and Author Mecca Jamilah Sullivan as these two 

literary groundbreakers discuss race, women, urban life, and 

the power of imagination within African diasporic literatures 

and cultures.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

LGBTQ Community

Public Program No Program Diversity

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Career Fair and 

Leadership 

Roundtable 

Discussions

Members of the NMAfA team, along with other Smithsonian 

colleagues, hosted a career fair and leadership roundtable 

discussions for young women and girls of color, and their 

peers as part of the Museum Day Live! 2016 program.

03/13/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Youth

Public Program No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Family Book 

Making Art

Workshops that celebrate and empower the cultural arts and 

crafts influenced and driven by women in all parts of the 

continent such as the art of beadwork, basket making, 

weaving, henna design as well as textile and ceramic art to 

name a few.

03/2016 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Families

Youth

Workshop No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Stories That Take 

Us Places!

Everyone can participate in the joy of storytelling. Includes

hands-on objects that our experienced docents explain and 

demonstrate. 

03/24/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Families

Youth

Public Program No Program Diversity

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NMAfA Easter Monday at 

the Zoo

A Washington Family Traditon will be held at the National Zoo 

on Easter Monday. The activities will connect the Zoo's 

collection to African Art and cultures.

03/27/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Families

Youth

Public Program No Program Diversity

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NMAH

Effective 

Communication 

Strategies

The NMAH Diversity Advisory Council worked with Chandra 

Heilman (Ombudsman) and Tim Holloman (EAP) to create 

unit-wide training sessions to address ways on how staff at all 

levels can communicate better to one another. The trainings 

were conducted with small groups (25-40 people). We 

discussed better use of inclusive language and cultural 

competencies concerning race, ethnicity, gender, ability, and 

sexuality.

09/2015 - 

02/2016 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Internal Training for NMAH 

staff and SI colleagues that 

work in the museum.

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The Hatfield 

Collection of Folk 

Art from the USMexico Borderlands

This collection of folk art from the US-Mexico Borderlands 

includes material objects significant to research on tourism, 

culture, and identity between the U.S. and Mexico. This offers 

a broad range of material resources for internal and external 

scholars on the cross-cultural and economic exchanges 

between these two countries. Mexican folk art maintains a 

history as "an agent of political and economic diplomacy" with 

roots to politics that are affected by the privatization of the 

country. The acquisition of the Hatfield collection is a valuable 

asset to the mission of the National Museum of American 

History and our goal of providing a complex and diverse 

narrative of American history and culture. The objects within 

this collection offer a powerful narrative of Latino traditions 

and identities as well as Americans living in the borderlands of 

Mexico and the United States. These folk art objects provide a 

story that is vital to American history and tradition. Students 

and interns are engaged in cataloguing and researching this 

new collection.

2015 - 2016 In-progress

Hispanics

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Traveling Exhibitions

Virtual Internships No Program Diversity

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Smithsonian Jazz: 

Smithsonian Jazz 

Masterworks 

Orchestra, Jazz Oral 

History Program, 

and Jazz 

Appreciation Month

Jazz is the musical embodiment of American ideas and ideals. 

At Smithsonian Jazz, we steward the role of jazz in our shared 

past, present, and future. We bring museum’s world-class 

collections, research, and exhibitions to life through our 

concerts and educational programs and we are committed to 

preserving and exploring the role of jazz for future 

generations. In these actions and activities, we strive to 

embody the values of Democracy, Diversity, and Diplomacy 

that are intrinsic in jazz and teach us the ideas and ideals of: 

equality and risk-taking, individuality and collaboration, and 

history and evolution. In this way, through these three pillars, 

we create unique opportunities for our audiences to 

understand the American experience through the 

transformative power of jazz. FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC 

THEMES: 2015 – Jazz: Innovations,2016 – Jazz: Creating 

Community, 2017 – Jazz: Cultural Democracy, 2018 – Jazz: 

Creating Culture, 2019 – Jazz: Breaking Barriers, and 2020 – 

Jazz: America’s Cultural Diplomat

2015 - 2020 In-progress

African Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Memorandums of 

Understanding Formal

Traveling Exhibitions

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NMAH

Escuchame! 

Spanish-language 

Broadcasting in the 

U.S. 1950s-2000s

Project seeks to document the germinal years of Spanishlanguage broadcasting in the United States from the first 

independent stations in Texas and Puerto Rico to the national 

networks created in the 1960s and 1980s. We are collecting 

objects, media, and oral histories with women and men who 

worked at local stations across the U.S. This initiative will 

create a national archive that can be used by curators, 

scholars, and others to tell the story of Spanish-language 

broadcasting in all its complexity.

2016 and 

Beyond In-progress

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Documenting No Program Diversity

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Hispanic 

Advertising, 1960-

2000

Collecting initiative to document the growth of Hispanicowned ad agencies in the U.S. and their work beginning in the 

1960s. Collecting archival materials, marketing studies, 

media, objects and oral histories from about ten agencies that 

span regional and particular national and ethic communities in 

the U.S. At the end of the initiative the NMAH will have the 

nation’s premier collection of Hispanic adverting.

2016 and 

Beyond In-progress Hispanics Documenting No Program Diversity

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Cooking Up History: 

Foods of the Civil 

Rights Movement

Cooking Up History: Foods of the Civil Rights Movement 

showcases a guest chef and a Smithsonian host preparing a 

recipe and talking about the history and traditions behind its 

ingredients, culinary techniques, and enjoyment. To kick off 

our 2016 series of cooking conversations, we asked: What 

were the foods that nourished the Civil Rights Movement? 

Chef Lindsay took us through some of the signature soul food 

creations that fed the organizers of the sit-ins, boycotts, and 

marches of the African-American Civil Rights Movement from 

1958 to 1968. As Chef Lindsay showed us the ways in which 

Southern flavor is developed—often with made-by-hand, slowand-low cooking—we explored the history behind these 

culinary traditions, the importance of these foods to the 

students, churches, and civil rights organizations of the period, 

and the objects in our collection that help to tell this story.

01/15/2016 Completed

African Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

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Interview with 

Univision 

NMAH's Director of Public Affairs, Melinda Machado, 

conducted an interview in Spanish with Univision about the 

role of the First Lady with a tour of the museum’s exhibition. 

http://wventv.develop01.entravision.com/2013/01/20/elvestido-de-michelle-el-secreto-mejor-guardado-de-lainvestidura-de-obama/

01/20/2013 Completed Hispanics Public Relations Yes Program Diversity

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NMAH

Day of 

Remembrance: 

Japanese American 

Incarceration and 

the Art of Identity 

with Roger 

Shimomura

The Day of Remembrance commemorates the day that 

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 

authorizing the incarceration of Japanese Americans during 

World War II. Roger Shimomura spent his formative years in 

an incarceration camp in Idaho with his grandmother. His 

grandmother recorded her experiences in her diaries, which 

are the basis for many of his paintings.

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Objects on view and interactive activities 

presented by the museum's Youth Civic Engagement Program 

teens in 1 Center.

6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Program begins with Welcome Remarks by 

museum Associate Director David Allison and an artifact 

donation ceremony. Short preview of film clip about artist 

Roger Shimomura and conversation between the artist and 

film producer David Ono and curator Jennifer Jones, with 

audience Q&A. Program concludes with a poetry performance 

about Japanese American incarceration by spoken word poet 

Regie Cabico. 

Attendance: 200

02/19/2016 Completed Asian Americans Public Program No Program Diversity

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Latinos and 

Baseball: In the 

Barrios and the Big 

Leagues

Latinos and Baseball: In the Barrios and the Big Leagues is a multiyear community collecting initiative at the National Museum of 

American History in collaboration with the Smithsonian Latino 

Center, focusing on the historic role baseball has played as a social 

and cultural force within Latino communities across the nation. 

Baseball has been and continues to be an important means for 

celebrating national and ethnic identities, building communities, 

and negotiating race and class relations in our increasingly 

globalized world. This project builds on a growing body of original 

research, oral histories, and collections by and with our partners 

to document the impact Latina/o communities have had on 

American history and culture through the lens of baseball. Tracing 

histories of people, places, and objects that reflect the complex 

interplay of racial identities and sports across the nation allows us 

to tell diverse and unexpected stories within our communities. 

This project enriches local and national collections, includes plans 

for future exhibitions, and supports public programs and 

community engagement across the nation. In this first year, we 

laid the groundwork necessary to launch a National Museum of 

American History community collection initiative. Our project 

launched in October 2015 with a panel of scholars and set of 

workshops at the National Museum of American History. We are 

currently building collections toward a traveling exhibition that 

will be in development by 2020. Our first community collecting 

event was hosted in San Bernardino, California on February 19-20 

of 2016 and was a huge success! We have 3-4 more community 

events over 2016 and again in 2017 to build interest, expand the 

archive, and ultimately bring collections to the national stage. 

02/19/2016 - 

02/20/2016; 

07/17/2016; 

08/12/2016 - 

08/13/2016; 

09/15/2016

In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Virtual Internships

Virtual Programming

Traveling Exhibitions

Memorandums of 

Understanding Informal

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The Little Rock 

Nine Display and 

Donation 

More than 20 objects tied to the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 

Arkansas during the Civil Rights Movement will be added to the Smithsonian's 

National Museum of American History. The memorabilia, which includes a yearbook, 

photographs, a graduation dress, a personal letter from President Dwight D. 

Eisenhower and a notice of suspension was donated by Minnijean Brown Trickey. 

"These objects tell a rich and significant American education and civil rights story," 

Margaret Salazar-Porzio, a curator in the museum's home and community life division 

said in a statement released today. "Minnijean's donation provides texture to the 

experience of integration and segregation in the American South." Trickey was a 

member of the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine African American students who 

desegregated the Little Rock, Arkansas high school in 1957, three years after the U.S. 

Supreme Court ruled segregated schools were unconstitutional in the Brown v. Board 

of Education case.When the African American students arrived at Central High School 

on the first day of school in 1957, they were met by the Arkansas National Guard, who 

on Governor Orval Faubus' orders, prevented them from entering. Eisenhower 

intervened, and the students entered the school Sept. 25, three weeks after the start of 

the school year. Trickey, who was was 15 years old at the time of the desegregation, 

has donated a letter to the museum from President Eisenhower to her parents 

thanking them for her integration. Her other donations included a 1958 suspension 

notice from Little Rock Central High School that Trickey received, her 2012 Soul of 

Humanity Award bestowed by the Little Rock Central High School National Historic 

Site, the school's 50-year commemoration program, a copy of Life magazine, and a 

1958 photo, among other things. "We are delighted to have this collection," Debbie 

Schaefer-Jacobs, an education Curator at the museum, told NBCBLK. "We are looking 

to diversify the collections as much as possible. It's a very critical story for American 

history and American education." Trickey was expelled in 1958 a few months after 

starting at the school for what is known as "retaliating against her daily torment." To 

thwart desegregation, Little Rock closed its four public high schools from 1958 to 1959 

and it was a lost year for most students. Trickey moved on to complete her secondary 

education at the progressive New York school in Manhattan in 1959. The white dress 

she designed and wore to graduation, along with the accompanying New Lincoln 

School commencement program, were also donated. A selection of these objects will 

go on view February 8 through May 8 in the museum's "American Stories" exhibition. 

They will join other Little Rock Nine objects in the museum's education collections, 

including two report cards and a certificate from Terrance Roberts, who was another of 

the nine students.

02/08/2016 - 

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Morning at the 

Museum – 

Spark!Lab

Early morning access to museum exhibits and programs for 

families and children with disabilities. Spark!Lab, a hands on 

interactive space for kids and families to explore and engage 

with the invention process, participated in March 2016. 

03/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Public Programs No Program Diversity

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NMAH

American History 

(After Hours): 

Cooking Korean in 

America

From the Korean Taco to Kimchi Burgers, Korean food is making itself 

known on American menus. Join us on March 10 and explore the 

(delicious) history of Korean cooking in the US and its impact on 

American cuisine. The evening will start out with a cooking 

demonstration and continue with a panel discussion and interactive 

reception featuring: Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard, authors of 

Koreatown: A Cook Book; Maria Godoy, senior editor at NPR and host 

of The Salt; live cooking demonstrations and storytelling with Danielle 

Chang, founder of LuckyRice and author of the cook book, Lucky Rice; 

delicious Korean-American-inspired food; Koreatown: A Cook Book 

and Lucky Rice book signings; and themed drinks and snacks.

03/10/2016 Completed Asian Americans

Part of a larger program series 

aimed at attracting new and 

younger audiences to the 

museum. 

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NMAH Museum Day – 

Spark!Lab

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, the National Museum of American 

History in partnership with the White House Council on Women and 

Girls presented a day-long festival celebrating women of color. 

Museum visitors engaged in conversations on important issues such 

as the influence and agency of women in hip hop; enjoyed cooking 

demonstrations that focused on African American traditions; created 

poems, stamps, and letters inspired by important historical women; 

learned and tried new dance moves; interacted with one another; met 

significant public figures including Secretary of Education Dr. John 

King; interacted with museum staff by participating in tours while 

learning about our collections and the important stories we tell; and 

had some fun and learning throughout the day. History becomes 

Herstory in a festival celebrating the stories of women and girls of 

color. Engage with music DJs and Hip Hop artists in conversation in 

Places of Invention exhibit and dynamic inventor activities in 

Spark!Lab. Attendance: 10,882

03/12/2016 Completed

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Public program

Festival celebrating the 

contributions of women of color 

to the arts and sciences.

Yes Program Diversity

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Cooking Up History: 

African-American 

Culinary Heritage 

and Museum Day 

Live!

Cooking Up History: African American Culinary Heritage and 

Museum Day Live! showcased a guest chef and a Smithsonian 

host preparing a recipe and talking about the history and 

traditions behind its ingredients, culinary techniques, and 

enjoyment. For our March program we asked: How do family 

culinary traditions reflect broader changes in AfricanAmerican history? As part of our museum’s Museum Day Live! 

Programming, we welcomed Alice Randall and her daughter 

Caroline Randall Williams, who in their new book Soul Food 

Love celebrate the soul food traditions passed down over four 

generations of women in their family. As Alice and Caroline 

cooked, they discussed how the ingredients and styles of 

cooking used can teach us about food’s fundamental role in 

history, from slavery to the Harlem Renaissance, from the Civil 

Rights Movement to the present day.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Free daytime programming for 

visitors

No Program Diversity

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NMAH Obituaries on 

Maestro Baker

Published an tribute to Jazz Legend David Baker in 

Smithsonian Magazine. 

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonianinstitution/jazz-legend-david-bakers-soaring-legacy180958584/?no-ist03/28/2016 Completed

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NMAH Word Expeditions

Word Expeditions is a series of free Smithsonian-led family 

workshops, events and educational resources intended to 

increase the vocabulary development and literacy of young 

children within Washington D.C. It has been designed to: 1) 

integrate into existing community-based family education 

offerings; 2) create a continuity of engagement that makes it 

easy for the intended audience—a neighborhood in 

Washington, DC facing challenges including intergenerational 

poverty and lack of high-quality early learning resources—to 

participate, and 3) build familiarity and comfort level with 

community and museum-based offerings so that the target 

audience will continue to utilize the museums as a resource for 

vocabulary-based learning activities beyond the program. 

Smithsonian staff lead literacy-based workshops in DC Ward 7 

and field trips and family days at Smithsonian museums. Word 

Expeditions is an institution-wide initiative including partners 

at the Smithsonian Associates (Discovery Theater), 

Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, National Air and Space 

museum, National museum of Natural History, National 

museum of African American History and Culture, and Friends 

of the National Zoo. : Total children and parents served: 39 

4/2016-6/2016 In-progress African Americans Family Program No Program Diversity

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Cooking Up History: 

The MexicanAmerican Table

Cooking Up History: The Mexican-American Table showcased a 

guest chef and a Smithsonian host preparing a recipe and 

talking about the history and traditions behind its ingredients, 

culinary techniques, and enjoyment. This program welcomed 

Amelia Morán Ceja, the president of Ceja Vineyards from 

Napa, California. Amelia shared with us the signature flavors 

and styles of cooking that she first learned from her 

grandmother in Jalisco, Mexico, including the art of making 

tortillas and salsa from scratch. As we cooked, we learned 

more about Amelia’s experiences as the daughter of vineyard 

workers in Napa, how she adjusted to American life, and how 

she has continued to honor her heritage with her family-run 

winery in the heart of the Carneros wine district.

04/08/2016 Completed

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Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

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visitors

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Wall Street Journal 

article "A Jazz 

Teacher for the 

Ages"

The passing of David Baker, the Director Emeritus of the 

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra was marked with a 

piece in the Wall Street Journal by Curator John Hasse on April 

11, “A Jazz Teacher for the Ages.” The link is at 

http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-jazz-teacher-for-the-ages1460411001 

04/11/2016 Completed

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NMAH Jazz Appreciation 

Month 

Jazz Appreciation Month including a feature on the museum’s 

Archives Center and on Alto Saxophonist Benny Carter can be 

found on Smithsonian.com at: 

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/itsspringtime-jazz-is-in-bloom-180958731/?no-cache

04/12/2016 Completed

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Social media for 

National Youth 

Summit focusing on 

Japanese American 

Incarceration 

during World War II 

On Tuesday, April 19, 2016, from 11:15 a.m. to noon, Twitter and 

Instagram followers of various Smithsonian social media accounts 

were treated to a peek behind-the-scenes at the Japanese 

American incarceration collections at the National Museum of 

American History. The program was organized by Erin Blasco. 

Museum Specialist Noriko Sanefuji and Educators Naomi 

Coquillon and Sage Morgan-Hubbard shared objects from the 

museum's collections as well as the "teaching collections," which 

allow hands-on exploration. The flurry of tweets was designed to 

increase followers' knowledge about Japanese American 

incarceration during World War II and the material culture related 

to this historical event, as well as increase interest in the 

upcoming National Youth Summit taking place on May 17, 2016. 

Smithsonian units that participated included @smithsonian, 

@amhistorymuseum, @explorehistory, @SIAffiliates, 

@SILibraries, @SmithsonianAPA. Many Youth Summit partners 

and Smithsonian Affiliate museums also participated. The 

National Youth Summit took place on May 17, 2016, and included 

additional social media support, including live tweets, blog posts, 

etc. 

04/19/2016 – 

05/17/2016 Completed Asian Americans Youth Summit No Program Diversity

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Newsweek article 

on Women and U.S. 

Currency - Curator 

Ellen Feingold 

interviewed

News media called on Curator Ellen Feingold for expert 

commentary on the re-design of U.S. currency to include 

Harriett Tubman and other women in history. Among articles 

were Coin World, Smithsonian.com and for Newsweek, Ellen’s 

expertise was featured on the homepage and the link to the 

specific story is here: http://www.newsweek.com/historywomen-currency-tubman-anderson-450414. WJLA-Channel 7 

also featured the museum’s new "Women on Money" display 

as part of its coverage on the Treasury’s announcement. Two 

men on April 26. 

04/20/2016 Completed

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Communities

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Smithsonian 

Response to the 

death of Prince

The death of the artist, Prince, also called on curatorial 

expertise. The museum issued a statement quoting Curator 

Eric Jentsch and he participated in a number of interviews 

including with Smithsonian.com. The museum placed Prince’s 

Yellow Cloud guitar on view and additional media covered that 

story including local channels WTTG-Fox 5 and WJLA-7 as well 

as dcist and Washingtonian magazine.

04/21/2016 Completed

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Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Statement Yes Program Diversity

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NMAH

Impromptu Music 

Performances at 

NMAH

Hosted the Sister Cities Girl Choir from Philadelphia, PA. 11:00-

12:30 pm, in Coulter Plaza West 04/23/2016 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Hispanic Girls

Impromptu Music 

Performances at NMAH No Program Diversity

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NMAH Jazz Appreciation 

Month Concerts

The National Museum of American History celebrates the 

musical legacy of jazz master Benny Carter, with his music 

performed by the George Washington University Latin Jazz 

Band.

04/28/2016 Completed Hispanics Public Program No Program Diversity

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National Youth 

Summit on 

Japanese American 

Incarceration

In the last five years, the museum has reached 61,000 youth 

through its National Youth Summit program. These annual 

webcasts provide teens with the opportunity to hear directly 

from history makers, thought leaders, and change agents and 

to participate in live conversations with them and their peers 

online. These sixty-minute webcasts connect historic events 

such as the Freedom Rides, War on Poverty, and Dust Bowl to 

discussions about contemporary issues such as civil rights, 

income inequality, and environmental stewardship. The 2016 

program focused on Japanese American incarceration in 

World War II, and how fear affects national policy. (3900 

students served)

05/2016 Completed Asian Americans Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

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NMAH Cinco de Mayo 

Food Exhibition 

The Daily Beast posted, “Happy Cinco de Mayo: Meet the Man 

who Invented the Margarita Machine” on May 5 about the 

object donated by Dallas restauranteur Mariano Martinez and 

on view in the Food exhibition. 

05/05 2016 Completed Hispanics Publication Yes Program Diversity

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NMAH

Huffington Post 

Article shared an 

op-ed about 

currency and power

Curator Ellen Feingold published an op-ed through 

Smithsonian.com, “How the Redesign of U.S. Money Shows 

the Power of Protest” on May 4. The op-ed was picked up by 

Huffington Post May 5 and published on the front of the 

homepage with a link to the HuffPost Politics page at: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-the-redesign-ofus-money-shows-the-power-ofprotest_us_572a4aabe4b001b9acc40810

05/05/2016 Completed

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Publication Yes Program Diversity

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Cooking Up History: 

The American Story 

of Sushi

Cooking Up History:Sushi showcased a guest chef and a 

Smithsonian host preparing a recipe and talking about the 

history and traditions behind its ingredients, culinary 

techniques, and enjoyment. In May we explored the question: 

How did sushi go from a Japanese delicacy to an American 

favorite? As part of our Asian Pacific American Heritage 

Month celebration, we welcomed Wegmans Chef Kevin Lee, 

who helped us explore the history of sushi in America through 

a hands-on sushi demonstration. We examined the 

significance of the sushi technique and prized 

ingredients—and the long traditions behind preparation the 

right fish, rice, and vegetables for each roll—and considered 

how the story of sushi in America is as much about Asian 

cultural heritage as it is about culinary trends, traditions, and 

adaptations for the American palate.

05/06/2016 Completed Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Free daytime programming for 

visitors No Program Diversity

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NPR of Central 

California mentions 

Bracero exhibition 

on display at Clovis 

Community College

NPR of Central California mentioned the museum’s Bracero 

exhibition at Clovis Community College as part of a story on a 

local artist whose paintings explore her Bracero history. 

http://kvpr.org/post/my-valley-my-story-local-painter-usesart-explore-her-bracero-heritage

05/13/2016 Completed Hispanics Publication Yes Program Diversity

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NMAH

The Nisei 

Congressional Gold 

Medal Online 

Exhibit 

NMAH and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center 

have joined with the National Veterans Network to create The 

Nisei Congressional Gold Medal Online Exhibit centered on the 

outstanding military service of Nisei soldiers during World War 

II. The online exhibition tells the life stories of 12 soldiers and 

launched May 12 at cgm.smithsonianapa.org and 

http://americanhistory.si.edu

05/12/2016 Completed Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders Online Exhibit Yes Program Diversity

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NMAH

Eagle News Online 

publishes article on 

the "Changing 

America" exhibit 

Eagle News Online published an article discussing the opening of 

the “Changing America” exhibit presented by the National 

Museum of American History and the National Museum of African 

American History and Culture in collaboration with the American 

Library Association Public Programs Office. The traveling 

exhibition highlights the events leading up to the Emancipation 

Proclamation of 1863 and the March on Washington in 1963, and 

is set to open on June 4th in the National Abolition Hall of Fame 

and Museum. 

http://www.eaglenewsonline.com/news/2016/05/25/smithsonianexhibit-on-civil-rights-opens-in-peterboro

05/25/2016 Completed African Americans Publication Yes Program Diversity

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Smithsonian's 

Response to the 

death of 

Muhammed Ali

The world champion boxer’s death resulted in a flurry of media 

requests. The museum issued a press release and hosted 

media on Saturday June 4. Additional press came to the 

museum June 6.

06/04/2016 Completed

African Americans

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Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

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Press Release Yes Program Diversity

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NMAH

Media coverage of 

"Legal Eats" with 

Supreme Court 

Justices' Ruth Bader 

Ginsburg and Sonia 

Sotomayor

Major media outlets covered “Legal Eats,” the museums 

program with Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg 

and Sonia Sotomayor. Approximately xx media attended the 

event, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, 

Washington Post, Bloomberg News, CNN, C-Span, BBC, and 

numerous food bloggers.

06/12/2016 Completed

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Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Media Coverage Yes Program Diversity

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“America Now” 

Naturalization 

Ceremony

On Flag Day, June 14, the Museum hosted a Naturalization 

Ceremony in front of the Star-Spangled Banner gallery to 

welcome twenty new citizens from 17 countries, marking how 

America's democracy is strengthened by the diversity and 

community of its citizenry. During the ceremony, Smithsonian 

Secretary Dr. David Skorton presented the James Smithson 

Bicentennial Medal to Jeffrey Bezos, an American who embodies 

values based on the diffusion of knowledge. Additional principals 

in the ceremony included: John Gray, Director, NMAH; Alejandro 

Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; 

León Rodriquez, Director, USCIS; and Sarah Taylor, District 

Director, Washington District Office, USCIS.

06/14/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Latinos

Public Program No Program Diversity

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Go-Go and Hip 

Hop: Community 

Innovations

Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and 

Innovation for an afternoon of music and discussion 

celebrating the history and community origins of go-go and 

hip-hop music. The panel discussion featuring Biz Markie, 

Donnell Floyd, D-Nice, and Charles Stephenson is guaranteed 

to enlighten your understanding of the community and 

cultural roots of these amazing music genres and DC’s premier 

go-go band Team Familiar will have you up on your feet.

06/18/2016 Completed

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Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

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March on 

Washington Film 

Festival events at 

the National 

Museum of 

American History

In July, NMAH partnered with the March on Washington Film 

Festival to produce 3 events: on 7/19, a talk with author Jeanne 

Theoharris on the “Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks”, on 

7/22, a talk on "Honoring the Black-Jewish Civil Rights 

Alliance". On 7/23, the Festival’s closing event, “From Civil 

Rights to Elected Office”, featuring The Honorable Harvey 

Gantt, former Mayor of Charlotte, NC; The Honorable Melvin 

Watt, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and 

former United States Congressman (NC-12th District); The 

Honorable Anthony Foxx, Sec. of Transportation and 2nd 

African American Mayor of Charlotte, NC.

07/22/2016 - 

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Ask a Farmer: 

Latinos in 

Agriculture

Ask a Farmer: Latinos in Agriculture was a panel discussion at 

the National Museum of American History in the ongoing Ask 

a Farmer series. This was presented as part of the museum's 

Hispanic Heritage Month programming. The panel featured 

Latino farmers speaking about their family’s experiences in 

the past and present of American agriculture. Panelists Jesse 

Larios, manager at Foster Feed Yard in Brawley, CA and Rudy 

Arredondo, president of the National Latino Farmers and 

Ranchers Trade Association in Washington, DC, were joined 

by NMAH associate curator Steve Velasquez speaking about 

the Bracero History Archive and Latinos in Napa collecting 

initiatives. The program was video recorded and is available on 

the museum’s YouTube channel and at s.si.edu/AskAFarmer.

Video recording of this program was supported by the U.S. 

Farmers and Ranchers Alliance at a cost of $5,100. 

09/16/2016 Completed Hispanics Public Programs No Program Diversity

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NMAH

Latinidad: Looking 

into Latina 

Women’s American 

Experiences 

Hispanic Heritage 

Month Festival

A festival focused on Afro-Latina young women and their 

expressions of identity in the arts (theater, poetry, music, 

dance, visual arts, cooking), and science, Attendance: 10,525

09/17/2016 Completed African Americans

Hispanics

Public program: Public 

conversation about identity, 

race and ethnicity.

Yes Program Diversity

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NMNH Deep Time Initiative

The permanent exhibition is working on refining accessibility 

and inclusion efforts. The exhibition team/managers have 

been consulting, both internally and externally, to find feasible 

ways of improving our inclusion approach. This will impact our 

millions of visitors within the exhibit experience.

2015-2019 Planned Individuals with Disabilities Exhibition Yes Program Diversity

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NMNH

Natural History 

Research 

Experiences (NHRE)

NHRE is a NSF-sponsored internship program for 

undergraduate students. Participants spend 10 weeks in the 

summer in residence at the NMNH, paired with a scientist 

mentor or mentors to complete an independent research 

project. Consistent with NSF goals on increasing participation 

of groups under-represented in science, the NHRE program 

has emphasized recruitment of students from these groups.

2010 - Present 

(Funded 

through 2020)

Planned

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Internship Program Yes

Program 

Diversity;#Workforc

e Diversity

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NMNH Sign Language 

Trainings

The production staff took ASL level 1 and 2 classes to be able 

to communicate better with a hearing impared productions 

tema emmber, David Hsu. Both classes were given through 

Gallaudet University.

2015-2016 In-Progress Individuals with Disabilities Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

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NMNH Training of Kenyan 

scientists

Mentoring of Kenyan researchers by Dr. A. K. Behrensmeyer 

(Paleobiology, NMNH)

--Provided contacts relating to Ph.D. programs for Frederick Lala 

Odock, my former Master’s student at the University of Nairobi, who 

wants to pursue a higher degree in wildlife conservation and 

management. Fred has an opportunity to apply to a program at the 

University of Minnesota in 2017 as a result of connections made during 

the Amboseli field work.

--Trained Kennedy Sakimber and George Sunte, Maasai from the local 

Amboseli agricultural community, in bone survey methods. Kennedy 

has earned a Masters in Wildlife Conservation from the University of 

Nairobi and is looking for a suitable Ph.D. Program. George is also 

interested in pursuing a college degree. Both benefitted from 

participating in the research team.

--Assisted Rahab Kinyanjui, Ph.D. Candidate in phytolith studies; I 

have helped her prepare a major manuscript describing the phytoliths 

of Olorgesailie, Kenya, which is currently in the final stages of review 

for publication.

Ongoing In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities Mentoring Yes Program Diversity

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NMNH Volunteer Program 

(adults)

The Volunteer program hosts new volunteer orientations 

monthly. 1 hour of these three hour sessions focuses on 

accessibility. In these sessions, volunteers are instructed on 

what the Museum has to provide access to its diverse 

audiences, such as foreign language maps and accessibile 

entrances, what can be done immediately during a visit and 

what needs to be planed in advance, such as sign-language 

interpretation and Hihglights Tactile tours. They new 

volunteers also learn how to do verbal descritption and sighted 

guide, so that they can do these practices regularly while at 

the Museum.

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NMNH Sign Language 

Trainings

The production staff took ASL level 1 and 2 classes to be able 

to communicate better with a hearing impared productions 

tema emmber, David Hsu. Both classes were given through 

Gallaudet University.

2015-2016 In-Progress Individuals with Disabilities Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

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NMNH Q?Crew

A teen volunteer program for students in grades 9-11 from the 

Washington, D.C. metro area. Members of the Teen Volunteer 

Program help museum visitors with interactive activities that 

focus on natural history topics in our new Q?rius learning 

space. Volunteers receive extensive training that introduces 

them to museum scientists, takes them behind-the-scenes, 

and covers topics ranging from museum education to 

scientific content. After completing training, participants work 

towards their 100 hour community service requirement.

December 2013 

- December 

2016

In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

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Community Engagement, 

Career Exposure

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NMNH CHISPA Partnership

Children Investigating Science with Parents and Afterschool 

(CHISPA), is a 4-year project funded by the National Science 

Foundation. Focusing on Latino families, CHISPA aims to 

serve the whole learning ecosystem of a K-5 student, 

providing resources and training for parents to support their 

students' interest and exploration of science, providing 

afterschool activities for students at their local community 

organizations and engaging families in museum activities. 

NMNH is one of 11 national program partners, and is involved 

in training teachers at community organizations and 

convening organizing meetings.

June 2014 - Nov 

2017 In-Progress Hispanics Community Engagement, Programs to Students Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMNH

YES! Youth 

Engagement 

through Science 

2015

A 16-week internship program for 18 high school sophomores, 

juniors and seniors from the Washington, D.C. region. During 

the program, students are trained on science career skills, 

work with scientists in labs, participate in college preparation 

training and create an outreach project for their peers. 

June 2015 - 

November 2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Mentoring/Internship & 

Community Engagement Yes Program Diversity

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Provost

NMNH

Youth 

Ambassadors 

BGCGW Partnership

NMNH Youth Programs teens visited 5 Boys and Girls Clubs in 

Greater Washington. Ninety-eight BGCGW members 

participated in the outreach event with our teens. 

June 2015-

November 2015 Completed African AmericansHispanics

Programs to Students, 

Community Engagement, 

Career Exposure

Yes Program Diversity

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NMNH Kennedy Krieger 

School

Starting in September 2015, 4 students from the Kennedy Krieger 

School have been working with the Branch of Learning Venues and 

Visitor Experience as part of a work-placement program with their 

school. They come every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-

11:30 a.m. Two of the students are responsible for reorganizing the 

library in the volunteer lounge. They have created an access database 

of all of the book titles, inserted library card pockets into each book 

and labeled the shelves by book category. There are over 750 titles in 

our library. These two students have almost completed this large task 

and will move on to organizing the books in Q?rius next. They both

love being ‘librarians’ at the Smithsonian. Another student has a 

placement in the lab in the Insect Zoo. He is responsible for the daily 

care of the tobacco hornworm caterpillars. This includes feeding 

them, cleaning their containers, analyzing each one to see if they are 

ready to pupate and placing the caterpillars about to pupate into soil.

He also searches through the soil for fully formed pupa, which he 

gives to staff to add to our exhibit. If he has additional time, he also 

sorts through the substrate on the Australian Stick insect cage to look 

for eggs. He has overcome many fears to handle these live animals.

Though all 4 students have accomplished great feats this year, one 

has really surpassed the expectations of both his teachers and himself. 

He came to us in the Fall with a passion for dinosaurs. He spent his 

three days per week reading up on dinosaurs and studying in the 

NMNH library. Late last fall, he started rehearsing one of the Last 

American Dinosaur Carts, ‘Hell Creek Microfossils’, with his teachers. 

This winter, he also started working on learning a second cart, ‘It’s a 

Date,’ for that Hall. This Spring, he has finally achieved his goal of 

doing the ‘It’s a Date’ cart in the Hall for the visitors, his performance 

vetted by Volunteer Program Staff. He now goes into the Hall each 

day he is here to do the cart. He believes that he has found his true 

calling and would like to work in the Museum educating visitors about 

dinosaurs and fossils. 

09/2015 - 

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NMNH Q?rius School 

Programs

Q?rius school programs are led by Museum Educators, created 

for Grades 6-12, and designed to keep students on task for 60 

minutes. Using objects, data, scientific equipment, and digital 

media, students complete a series of activities based on 

Smithsonian research. In the process, they investigate core 

ideas in nature and culture related to classroom curriculum. 

They gain critical skills in the practices of science by observing, 

documenting results, and justifying their conclusions with 

evidence. Each class can accommodate up to 35 students, for 

a total of 140 a morning, Monday-Friday.

10/06/2015 - 

06/10/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Individuals with Disabilities

Programs to Students, 

Community Engagement, 

Career Exposure

Yes Program Diversity

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Provost

NMNH

Field Trip Days 

Sponsored by 

Google

The Museum is hosting Field Trip Days Sponsored by Google. 

Selected groups receive free buses, IMAX tickets, lunch 

vouchers for students and a set number of chaperones, 

interactive experiences in Museum exhibits, and school 

programs in Q?rius, The Coralyn W. Whitney Science 

Education Center.

10/20/2015 - 

06/07/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Programs to Students, 

Community Engagement, 

Career Exposure

Yes Program Diversity

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Provost

NMNH

Latino Visitor 

Experience Initiative

The Latino Visitor Experience Initiative program received Federal 

support from the Latino Initiatives Pool to make exhibitions and 

activities at NMNH more accessible to Latino visitors. In January, 

twenty Latino volunteers were recruited for this new initiative. 

They received training on the educational carts within the Sant 

Ocean Hall focusing on content, visitor engagement skills, and 

ways to make the content relevant to our Latino visitors. 

11/01/2015 - 

3/31/2016 In-Progress Hispanics Community and Visitor Engagement No Program Diversity

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NMNH Boys and Girls Club 

Family Day

Held a Family Day event where 210 families from local Boys 

and Girls Club participated in activities lead by NMNH 

scientists and Q?Crew teens. Activities ranged from fossil 

dating, observing mouse brains, a paleo biology puzzle, and an 

oceans IMAX. During the closing remarks, many BGCGW 

members expressed their excitement and gratitude for the 

event. 

11/7/2015 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Programs to Students, 

Community Engagement, 

Career Exposure

Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMNH CHISPA Family Day

Over 70 Latino students and parents helped kick off the 

Second Annual CHISPA Family Day on Saturday, March 12 at 

NMNH. The event featured highly interactive activities and 

interactions designed to introduce Latino children and their 

families to the museum and boost their engagement in the 

STEM disciplines. Bilingual experts from NMNH shared their 

research on topics ranging from bi-valve genomics and 

invertebrates under a microscope to the linguistic diversity of 

Latin America. In Sant Ocean Hall, kids made jewelry out of 

marine debris, participated in a magic show and tried out 

different hands-on activities about the ocean and its 

resources. Q?rius Jr. was transformed into a vibrant 

construction zone, where CHISPA visitors got to explore the 

natural world through engineering challenges.

3/12/2016 Completed Hispanics

Programs to Students, 

Community Engagement, 

Career Exposure H7

Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMNH Museum Day at 

NMNH

Over 1200 people visited Q?rius, where NMNH scientists, 

educators, volunteers and teen program participants held 

special programming in honor of the special Museum Day 

Live. Eight female scientists engaged audiences in hands-on 

activities about ocean creatures, ancient bones, and 

endangered languages. 

3/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Programs to Students, 

Community Engagement, 

Career Exposure

Yes Program Diversity

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NMNH

Smithsonian 

Science How

Live, interactive webcasts with NMNH scientists and online 

classroom resources all aligned with science standards. Target 

audiences are youth from underrepresented populations and 

underserved communities nationwide, grades 4-10. To date, 

26 episodes have been broadcast live and taped versions are 

distributed and re-broadcast through educational cable 

channels, networks, and platforms.

01/01/2014 - 

03/31/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Virtual Programming Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Igiugig Native 

Corporation

NMNH Repatriation Office hosted a visit from the Igiugig 

Native Corporation to discuss repatriation and view collections. 10/20/2015 Planned Native AmericansNative Alaskan Repatriation No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Ketchikan Indian 

Corporation

NMNH Repatriation staff held a repatriation consultation and 

collections visit with members from the Ketchikan Indian 

Corporation (Haida).

10/28/2015 - 

10/29/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

USMR/

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation at 

Tlingit Clan 

Conference

A member of the NMNH Repatriation met with the Hoonah 

Indian Association, the Central Council Tlingit and Haida 

Tribes of Alaska and the Sitka Tribes of Alaska a the Tlingit 

Clan Conference in Juneau, AK

10/30/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Cherokee Nation

NMNH Repatriation Office staff hosted a visit from the 

Cherokee Nation. 11/04/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Cheyenne and 

Arapaho Tribes

NMNH Repatriation Office met with the Cheyenne and 

Arapaho tribes for a collections visit and to discuss 

repatriation.

11/03/2015 - 

11/05/2015

Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Native Village of 

Barrow 

NMNH Repatriation staff met with representatives of the 

Native Village of Barrow to discuss repatriation. 11/06/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Wabanaki 

Intertribal 

Repatriation 

Committee

NMNH Repatriation staff met with the Wabanaki Intertribal 

Repatriation Committee to discuss repatriation and view 

collections.

11/10/2015 - 

11/11/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH Repatriation 

Staff met with the 

Caddo Nation 

NMNH Repatriation staff met with members of the Caddo 

Nation at the Native American Grave Protection and 

Repatriation Act meetings in Oklahoma.

11/18/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

NMNH Repatriation 

Staff met with the 

Osage Nation 

NMNH Repatriation staff met with the Osage Nation at the 

Native American Graves Protections and Repatriation Act 

(NAGPRA) meeting in Oklahoma.

11/19/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

USMR/

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Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Tlingit

NMNH Repatriation staff met with Tlingit, discussed 

repatriation and viewed collections.

11/28/2015 - 

12/04/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Pueblo of San Felipe

NMNH Repatriation staff met with the Pueblo of San Felipe 12/01/2015 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Hoonah Indian 

Association

NMNH Repatriation staff met with the Hoonah Indian 

Associate to discuss repatriation and view collections. 02/05/2016 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Alabama-Coushatta 

Tribes of Texas

NMNH Repatriation staff met with the Alabama-Coushatta 

Tribes of Texas 02/09/2016 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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Provost

NMNH

Recovering Voices 

Mother Tongue 

Film Festival

A Maori film was screened at the Recovering Voices Mother 

Tongue Film Festival with member of Maori communities in 

attendance. Other screenings involved members of the 

Navajo Nation and Kiowa, Choctaw and Heiltsuk/Mohawk 

tribal members

02/16/2016 Completed Native Americans 

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Indigenous language film 

festival No Program Diversity

USMR/

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - Crow 

Nation

NMNH Repatriation staff met with the Crow Nation. 02/25/2016 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

First Nations 

Educational and 

Cultural Center

NMNH Repatriation staff met with First Nations Educational 

and Cultural Center 03/17/2016 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Upper Sioux 

Community

NMNH Repatriation staff met with the Upper Sioux 

Community to discuss repatriation and view collections. 

03/21/2016 - 

03/22/2016 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

USMR/

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NMNH

Recovering Voices - 

Biliir Visit and 

Performance 

Recovering Voices hosted a Biliirr visit and performance by 3 

Australian Aboriginal community members from 

Yuwaalaraay, New South Wales, Australia

03/24/2016 Planned Native Americans 

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Community visit and 

performance No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Native Village of 

Atka

NMNH Repatriation met with the Native Village of Atka to 

discuss repatriation and view collections.

03/28/2016 - 

04/01/2016 Planned Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Pueblo of Iseta

Repatriation Consultation at NMNH and MSC with two 

representatives from the Pueblo of Iseta. 

04/18/2016 - 

04/19/2016 Completed Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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Provost

NMNH YES! 3.0 2016

This program is an intense six-week internship where 1-2 

Interns will work directly with scientists and researchers on 

coral reef barcoding/NGS and ocean acidification. They spent 

their Spring Break and summer working in the lab on 

bioinformatics, science communication, and mentoring the 

YES 1.0 and 2.0 teens. Interns much complete YES! 1.0, and 

Genome to be elligible for this program. 

05/2016 - 

08/2016 Completed African AmericansHispanics

Career Counseling

Mentoring/Internship & 

Community Engagement

Yes Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Hoopa Valley Tribe

Repatriation consultation at NMNH with two representatives 

of the Hoopa Valley Tribes. 
 05/25/2016 Completed Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Indigenous 

Worldviews in 

Informal Science 

Education 

Recovering Voices Indigenous Worldviews in Informal Science 

Education with 35+ Native Hawaiian and Native American 

participants, plus a much larger online audience. 

05/21/2016 - 

06/01/2016 Planned Native Americans Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders Education No Program Diversity

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NMNH YES! Genome 2016

The program is designed to develop skills in genomics through 

lab work, to introduce students to a variety of genomic related 

professions, to help students acquire science communication 

skills and foster an interest for a career in genomics and 

bioinformatics. Students spent 2 weeks preparing a DNA 

library and sequencing the whole genome of a plant once 

domesticated by Native Americans that has gone extinct and 5 

weeks working with a researcher to complete a research 

project in biodiversity genomics. Interns must complete YES! 

1.0 to be elligible for this program.

06/2016 - 

12/2016 In-Progress African AmericansHispanics

DNA lab based instruction and 

research based project with 

mentor

Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMNH YES! 1.0 2016

A internship program for 19 high school sophomores, juniors 

and seniors from the Washington, D.C. region. During the 

program, students get trained on science career skills, work 

with scientists in labs, participate in college preparation 

training and create an outreach project for their peers. 

06/2016 - 

12/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Hispanics

Mentoring/Internship & 

Community Engagement Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Wanapum Band of 

Priest Rapids

Repatriation Consultation with one representative from the 

Wanapum Band of Priest Rapids. 
 06/06/2016 Completed Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Recovering Voices 

Outeach Event for 

Indigenous Youths

Recovering Voices helds an outreach event for indigenous 

youths, the Programa de Liderazgo para Jóvenes Indígenas, 

Universidad de las Americas Puebla, Mexico, with 38 

indigenous youths in attendance.

06/16/2016 Planned Hispanics

Native Americans Outreach event No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMNH

Recording for 

exhibit Objects of 

Wonder of 

Metlakatla Indian 

Community

 Two individuals from the Metlakatla Indian Community 

recorded narrative for NMNH's Objects of Wonder Exhibit. 

07/28/2016 - 

07/29/2016 Completed Native Americans Exhibit No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - Crow 

Tribe

Repatriation Consultation with one representative of the Crow 

Tribe. 07/14/2016 Completed Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

USMR/

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Confederated 

Salish & Kootenai 

Tribes of the 

Flathead 

Reservation, 

Montana 

Repatriation consultation with one representative of the 

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead 

Reservation, Montana.

07/14/2016 Completed Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

USMR/

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Chippewa-Cree 

Indians of the 

Rocky Boy 

Reservation, 

Montana

Repatriation consultation with one representative from the 

Chippewa-Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, 

Montana.

07/18/2016 Completed Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Suquamish Indian 

Tribe

Repatriation consultation with four representatives from the 

Suquamish Indian Tribe. 


08/24/2016 - 

08/25/2016 Completed Native Americans Repatriation No Program Diversity

USMR/

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NMNH Art + Science 

Workshops

Three separate week long workshops that introduce teen 

participants to the intersection of art and science. Teens have 

the opportunity to work with circuts, scensors, and 3-D desing 

to enhance their understanding of the natural world.

09/2016 - 

08/2016 Completed African AmericansHispanics

Programs to Students, 

Community Engagement, 

Career Exposure

Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NMNH

Recovering Voices 

Community 

Research Visit

Recovering Voices hosted a community research visit with 

three members of the Wauja Tribe (Brazil). 09/16/2016 Completed Native Americans Research visit from indigenous community

No Program Diversity

USMR/

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Repatriation 

Consultation - 

Graton Rancheria

Repatriation collections consultation with one representative 

of Graton Rancheria. 


09/19/2016 - 

09/21/2016 Planned Native Americans Repatriation collection consultation No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Recovering Voices 

Community 

Research Visit

Recovering Voices community research visit with 4 members 

of the Zuni Pueblo (New Mexico)

09/19/2016 - 

09/23/2016 Planned Native Americans Community Research No Program Diversity

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NMNH

Repatriation 

Collections 

Consultation - 

Hoonah Weavers, 

Tlingit

Repatriation collection consultation with 7 Hoonah Weavers, 

Tlingit. 

09/26/2016 - 

09/30/2016 Planned Native Americans Collections consultation No Program Diversity

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NPG Exhibition label 

translation Exhibition label translation FY 2016 Completed Non-English speaking individuals Program Outreach no Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NPG Website Translation Website translation into Spanish FY 2016 Completed Hispanics Program Outreach no Program Diversity 

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost NPG Accessibility Coordinator Hiring Accessibility Coordinator FY 2016 Planned Individuals with Disabilities Outreach no Program Diversity Workforce Diversity

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Programming 

designed for 

accessibility 

challenged visitors

Programming designed for accessibility challenged visitors FY 2016 Planned Individuals with Disabilities Outreach no Program Diversity

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NPG Mobile Device Tours Mobile devices audio tour FY 2016 Planned

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Outreach no Program Diversity

USMR/

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NPG

Sign language 

interpretation 

(programs)

Sign language interpretation provided for programming FY 2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Program outreach No Program Diversity

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NPM

African American 

Women In the 

Military (6888 

Central Postal 

Battalion of WACS)

African American Women In the Military (6888 Central Postal 

Battalion of WACS) FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Programs No Program Diversity

USMR/

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National Park 

Service: African 

American History in 

the DMV area

National Park Service: African American History in the DMV 

area FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Program Outreach no Program Diversity

USMR/

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Black Lives in the 

Mail Black Lives in the Mail FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Programming Outreach no Program Diversity

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NPM

Yosemite Through 

the Eyes of a 

Buffalo Soldier, 

1904

NPS Ranger Shelton Johnson: Lecture/Book 

Signing(Yosemite Through the Eyes of a Buffalo Soldier, 1904) FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

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Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Program No Program Diversity

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NZP NZP Diversity 

Committee

The mission of the National Zoo’s Diversity Committee is to 

foster an environment that is inclusive and, at all levels of the 

institution, to promote diversity of race, ethnicity, national 

origin, socioeconomic status, age, sex, gender 

identity/expression, sexual orientation, and other differences 

in culture, background and identity. We will also inspire 

learning and discovery about diverse cultures and nature; 

develop respectful student-centered programs in various 

departments in the zoo; and identify and recruit appropriate 

and diverse student interns to enhance their understanding of, 

and abilities in, conservation biology, zoo management, and 

supporting sciences and disciplines.

2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

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Native Americans

Diversity Committee No Workforce Diversity

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NZP Internships & 

Fellowships

NZP hosted over 200 interns and fellows of multiple ethnicities 

and backgrounds during 2016. 2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

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Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling

Volunteer Opportunities No Program Diversity

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NZP

Volunteer 

Opportunities

In conjunction with Friends of the National Zoo, NZP hosted 

dozens of volunteers of multiple ethnicities and backgrounds 

(including special needs) during 2016.

2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Career Counseling

Volunteer Opportunities No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost NZP

Association of Zoos 

and Aquariums 

Diversity 

Committee

NZP Hospital Manager Tangara Cross is a member of the 

Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Diversity 

Committee and attended the 2016 Annual conference in 

which she collaborated with her colleagues from other 

Institutions on the prioritization on this year’s projects for the 

committee.

2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

NZP Project Search

Animal Keeper Melba Brown participates in Project SEARCH.

She served on the Core Committee in the establishment of 

Project Search at SI. She also served as the point of contact 

for NZP for the 2016 Morning at the Museum program was in 

2016 (she was the Zoo contact and helped with the planning of 

activities for families and logistics with staff and volunteer 

interpreters). Ms. Brown also reported that one of the Project 

Search Alumni is Ted Dalpino. He is now a volunteer at DNR 

and helps to prepare diets for the Ape House. A success story! 

2016 In-Progress Individuals with Disabilities Intern Opportunities No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NZP

Animal Care Bird 

House Outreach 

Efforts

Multiple efforts including 1) hosting two Asian interns, 2) 

hosting one Asian and two Latino YES interns, 3) hosting two 

Latino, one Indian (India), one Asian and two African American 

volunteers, 4) hosting two high functioning autistic special 

needs volunteers, 5) providing Spanish interpretation for a 

Flamingo demonstration, 6) Bird House Animal Keeper Gwen 

Cooper coordinating event for Cooper Lane Elementary 

School that included her hosting 70 mainly Hispanic, Asian and 

African American children at the Zoo for the day (participants 

received tours and talked with keepers and 7) Ric Pinto’s 

participating on NZP’s Diversity Committee.

2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Individuals with Disabilities

Hispanics

Intern/volunteer opportunities 

as well as language translation 

for event.

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NZP

Animal Care 

Primate/Panda 

Outreach Efforts

Efforts include 1) always consulting the OEEMA website to 

advertise for new positions at schools identified through the 

OEEMA diversity page to target groups under-represented at 

SI, 2) Melba Brown’s participation on NZP’s Diversity 

Committee, 3) Melba Brown hosted Morning at the Museum 

at our primate facilities this year, which is an event that 

focuses on people with cognitive disabilities and 4) Melba gave 

a special tour for a volunteer who worked at the Commissary 

and has some cognitive disabilities. 

2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Digital Promotion of Job 

Opportunities

Morning at the Museum Event

No Program Diversity

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Initiative

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Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

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Initiative

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Provost

NZP

Public Affairs & 

Communications 

Outreach Efforts

Efforts include 1) Devin Murphy now serving as chair of NZP’s 

Diversity Committee, 2) hosting two female African American 

interns and 3) recruiting for interns from Howard University.

2016 In-Progress African Americans

Diversity Committee 

participation and internship 

opportunities for diverse 

applicants.

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost NZP

AADAPT 

(Academic 

Appointment 

Diversity and 

Publicity Taskforce)

Tamie DeWitt serves as a member of this group and attends 

meetings and hosted Smithsonian-wide meeting at the Zoo. 

The group is working on plan for diversity inclusion in 

academic appointments for head of OFI to present to 

Secretary.

2016 In-Progress Individuals with Disabilities Outreach to persons with 

disabilities. No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NZP b2i (Bridge to 

Independence)

Tamie DeWitt of NZP’s Public Engagement unit serves as part 

of the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless and 

works to empower high-achieving high school youth who are 

either homeless or in transitional housing - arranged tour 

including staff talks about Zoo careers.

2016 In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities Outreach to community. No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NZP Operation 

Warfighter

Tamie DeWitt of NZP’s Public Engagement Unit works with 

military organizations to get soldiers placements in internships 

at the Zoo after being discharged from active duty.

2016 In-Progress Discharged Military Veterans Internship opportunities for 

discharged military veterans. No Program Diversity

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Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

NZP

Public Engagement 

Department’s 

Outreach Efforts 

(Community 

outreach for 

NMAAHC/Visitor 

Center photo 

exhibition)

Jill Hindenach reached out to and worked with the following 

organizations when putting together NZP’s NMAAHC/Visitor Center 

photo exhibition: the Anacostia Community Museum, the 

Smithsonian National Diversity Committee, the Smithsonian African 

American Association, the Humanities Council of DC, the Greater 

Washington Urban League, the Prince George’s County African 

American Museum and Cultural Center, the University of the District 

of Columbia, Howard University, Bowie State University, the Martin 

Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Mary McCloud Bethune Council 

House, the DC Historic Preservation Office, the Washington Informer, 

the African American Photographers Association in Washington, DC, 

the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County 

libraries, the DC libraries (Anacostia; Dorothy I. Height/Benning; 

Martin Luther King Jr; Mount Pleasant; Shaw; Petworth), the Alliance 

of Concerned Men, the Street Wize Foundation, Hope and a Home, 

the Washingtoniana Collection at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial 

Library, Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, 

Bethlehem Baptist Church, Sisters 4 Sisters, the DC Commission on 

the Art and Humanities, the Anacostia Community Service Center, 

Bread for the City, the Anacostia Arts Center and the DC Department 

of Parks and Recreation.

2016 Completed African Americans New shared photo exhibit with 

NMAAHC. No Program Diversity

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Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

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Provost

NZP

Meet & Greet with 

National Zoo 

Professionals

With the support of National Zoo and SCBI staff, the Friends 

of the National Zoo hosted a career program for middle school 

students curious about working in the field of wildlife 

conservation. “Exploring Careers in Wildlife Conservation: 

Meet and Greet with National Zoo Professionals” was held on 

Saturday, November 21st at the National Zoo’s Small 

Mammal House. The goal for this program is to introduce 

students to the wide variety of careers under the National 

Zoo’s umbrella—from animal care to nutrition, park 

management, research and more—and share with them how 

the work being done at the National Zoo is helping to save 

species from extinction.

11/21/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Career Counseling No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NZP Spring Career Fair

Tamie DeWitt of NZP’s Intern Office represented NZP at the 

University of the District of Columbia’s annual spring career 

fair.

03/26/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Fairs

Career Counseling No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NZP

Easter Monday 

Community Day 

Event

Annual historic community event. Staff from throughout NZP 

and Friends of the National Zoo participated. Contributions 

included program participation and logistical support.

03/28/2016 Completed African Americans Community event. No Program Diversity

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Initiative

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Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

NZP

Take Your Sons and 

Daughters to Work 

Day

NZP hosted “Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work Day” on 

4/28/16. Multiple units participated including Tangara Cross 

from Wildlife Health Science, Laurie Thompson from Giant 

Pandas, Jackson, Lee from Seals/Sea Lions and Aquatic Life 

Support Systems, Craig Saffoe from Lion-Tiger, Alan Peters 

from the Reptile Discovery Center, Meredith Bastian from 

Great Apes, Steve Sarro from Small Mammals, Eric Slovak 

from the Bird House, Erica Bauer from Asia Trail, Bill Clements 

from the Commissary, Tony Barthel from Elephants and 

Cheetahs and Ed Smith from Amazonia.

04/28/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Counseling No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

NZP

Smithsonian 

Conservation 

Biology Institute 

Outreach Efforts

Jesus Maldonado (SCBI/CCG) helped lead the development and 

implementation of the ¡ERES! (Early Research Experiences for 

Students) program that culminated by a two week (July 30, 2016 – 

August 13, 2016) experiential learning program at the SmithsonianMason School of Conservation in Virginia and at SCBI Rock Creek in 

Washington D.C. designed to engage diverse students in experiential 

learning centered on multi-disciplinary conservation strategies, 

biodiversity research, and careers in STEM. The program was 

attended by 20 first-generation and/or low-income students. The 

program featured activities and learning opportunities in areas such as 

field techniques, including visual encounter surveys, cover object 

surveys, and traps. Environmental DNA and noninvasive DNA sample 

collection and processing including DNA data analysis. Tours of labs 

and museums including National Museum of Natural History’s 

mammal collection, SCBI’s Center for Conservation Genomics’ lab, 

and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and professional 

development opportunities including job shadowing of Smithsonian 

scientists. Funding provided by Smithsonian Latino Center, UCSB 

Office of Education Partnerships, and Smithsonian Conservation 

Biology Institute.

07/30/2016 - 

08/13/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

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Range

Initiative

Status

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Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

NZP Fall Career Fair

Dan Weinwurm, Tangara Cross and Tamie DeWitt of NZP’s 

Animal Care and Administration & Operations Department 

represented NZP at the University of the District of Columbia’s 

annual fall career fair.

09/20/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Native Americans

Career Fairs No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Smithsonian Native 

American 

Internship and 

Fellowship Awards

The Smithsonian Native American Internship and Fellowship 

Awards provide a range of programs aimed at offering 

opportunities specifically to would-be interns and fellows from 

Native American communities.

Spring 2016-

Fall 2016 In-Progress Native Americans Internship and Fellowship Program

No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

The Smithsonian 

Minority Internship 

Awards

OFI administers the Smithsonian's Minority Internship 

Program, which provides undergraduate and graduate 

students the opportunity to experience the Smithsonian as a 

universal lens for learning. Under the guidance of Smithsonian 

staff who are experts in their fields, Smithsonian Interns are 

inspired to learn, examine and collaborate in their specific 

academic fields that relate to current research at the 

Smithsonian.

Spring 2016-

Fall 2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Internship Program No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Support for 

Internship Program 

with the Arlington 

Alexandria 

Coalition for the 

Homeless

OFI is currently working on a program that would provide 

Smithsonian internship opportunities to economically 

underserved youth from Arlington and Alexandria.

Spring and 

Summer, 2016 In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Memorandums of 

Understanding Informal No Workforce Diversity

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Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Support for the 

Youth Engagement 

in Science (YES) 

Internship Program

OFI provides administrative and logistical support for the PanSI Youth Engagement in Science (YES) program, which 

provides opportunities to low income DC high school students.

Summer and 

Fall 2016 In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced Communities

Digital Promotion of Academic 

Appointments

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

Ongoing Support 

for Project Search 

at the Smithsonian

OFI continues to provide program support for Project Search, 

a program that brings students with cognitive disabilities to SI 

to do internships.

FY16 In-Progress Individuals with Disabilities Internship Program Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Representation on 

the NSF Hosted 

Federal Interagency 

"Broadening 

Participation" 

Working Group

OFI represents the Smithsonian on the National Science 

Foundation hosted Federal Interagency Broadening 

Participation Interagency Working Group, which is focused on 

expanding STEM opportunities at undergraduate and 

graduate levels.

FY16 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Interagency Working Group No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Chair of 

Smithsonian 

AADAPT

OFI serves as the Chair of the Smithsonian Academic 

Appointment Diversity and Publicity Taskforce (AADAPT), 

which is dedicated to increasing diversity in all forms including 

but not limited to gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic 

status, age, ability, and sexual orientation in Smithsonian 

Institution’s internships and fellowships. AADAPT’s paninstitutional team meets monthly. Members regularly 

participate in outreach events such as affinity-group 

conferences and internship/career fairs in Washington, DC and 

around the country to promote SI academic programs to 

diverse audiences. Team members include representatives 

from OFI, SA, NMAAHC, NZP, NMAH, SLC, NPG, NMAI, OHR, 

OEEMA and AP.

Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

LGBTQ+ Community 

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Standing In-house Group No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Member of the 

Smithsonian 

Chapter of the 

Federal GLOBE 

group

OFI regularly attends meetings of the Smithsonian chapter of 

the Federal GLOBE (Gay Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender). Ongoing In-Progress

African American

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

LGBTQ+ Community

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

In-House Working Group No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Young African 

Leadership 

Initiative (YALI) at 

Smithsonian

This is the third year that the Smithsonian will participate in 

hosting student interns as part of the U.S. Department of 

State's Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI).

TBA In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Memorandums of 

Understanding Informal No Workforce Diversity

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost OFI

Association of 

Tribal Archives, 

Libraries, and 

Museums (ATALM)

OFI will attend the ATALM conference focusing on advancing 

and sustaining indigenous cultures that also encourages 

collaboration between tribal and non-tribal organizations and 

institutions.

10/09/2016 - 

10/15/2016 Planned Native Americans Conferences w/Professional Organizations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

Hispanic 

Association of 

Colleges and 

Universities Annual 

Conference

For the fourth consecutive year, the pan-institutional SI 

Academic Appointment Diversity and Publicity Taskforce 

(AADAPT)’s Outreach Team will participate at the Hispanic 

Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) 30th Annual 

Conference.

10/09/2016 - 

10/10/2016 Planned

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI HACU 29th Annual Conference 

Smithsonian outreach presence at HACU 29th annual 

conference 10/15/2015 Completed Hispanics Conferences w/Professional Organizations No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI Binghamton 

University Smithsonian outreach presence at Binghamton University. 10/28/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

Society for the 

Advancement of 

Chicanos/Hispanics 

and Native 

Americans in 

Science (SACNAS)

OFI supported Smithsonian staff that attended the SACNAS 

conference

10/29/2015 - 

10/31/2015 Completed HispanicsNative Americans

Career Fairs

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost OFI

Historically Black 

Colleges and 

Universities (HBCU) 

Career 

Development 

Marketplace

OFI participated in the second annual Historically Black 

Colleges and Universities Career Development Marketplace 

for students and faculty from HBCUs on the East Coast. This 

event provided opportunity for students to meet with 

representatives from government agencies and private 

corporations through out the Washington, DC area.

11/09/2015 - 

11/11/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Fairs No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

2015 Careers and 

the disABLED 

Career Expo

Smithsonian Academic Appointment Diversity and Publicity 

Taskforce (AADAPT), which includes representatives from SA, 

NZP, NMAAHC, NMAH, SLC, NPG, NMAI, OHR, OEEMA, and 

AP; promoted Smithsonian internships, fellowships and 

employment opportunities at the 2016 Careers and the 

disABLED Career Expo at the Ronald Reagan Building in 

Washington, DC.

11/13/2015 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Career Fairs Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

U.S. Department of 

Education 

Supporting Student 

Success at Minority 

Serving Community 

Colleges National 

Convening 

OFI participated in the Department of Education hosted multiFederal agency conference on minority serving community 

colleges. 11/16/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities No Workforce Diversity

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Minority Serving 

Community 

Colleges

Promote STEM on community colleges serving minorities. 11/16/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Yes Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI Indiana Career Roundtable Participated in discussion with students. 01/07/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Fairs No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

FC-STEM 

subcommittee on 

graduate education 

Promoting STEM at graduate level 01/15/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations Yes Program Diversity

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

OFI

National Science 

Foundation FCSTEM IWG 

Broadening 

Participation session 

OFI staff attended the National Science Foundation hosted 

multi-Federal agency conference about increasing the 

diversity of participants in STEM fields.

02/18/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations Yes Workforce DiversityProgram Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

United South & 

Eastern Tribes 

(USET) 

OFI supported Smithsonian Staff reaching out to Southern 

and Eastern tribes. 02/19/2016 Completed Native Americans

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

Career Counseling

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

Career Fair at 

George Mason 

University

OFI Program Specialist Karen Carter participated in a career 

fair at George Mason University. 03/02/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Fairs No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Visit to American 

University Career 

Center

OFI Program Specialist Karen Carter visited American 

University's Career Center. 03/04/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Counseling No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost OFI

Bowling Green 

State University: SI 

Internship and 

Career 

Opportunities 

Presentation

OFI staff visited Bowling Green State University to help 

provide more information about opportunities with 

internships and careers

03/08/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Counseling

Career Fairs

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

Participation in 

Museum Day for 

Women and Girls of 

Color Planning

OFI joined colleagues from OEEMA and across the Institution 

for the Museum Day Live! Teen Career Fair at the Smithsonian 

Castle. Students from across the region had an opportunity to 

come learn about various opportunities, including fellowships 

and internships, that are available at the Smithsonian.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Museum Day No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

American 

University 

Career/Internship 

Fair

OFI supported Smithsonian Staff at the American University 

Career/Internship Expo. 03/23/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

LBGTQ+ Community

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Fairs No

Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

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Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost OFI

University of 

Houston Students, 

NMAfA

University of Houston Students externship in DC - working on 

projects. 05/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Externship No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI IWG community colleges

Department of Education's interagency working group to 

promote STEM 05/10/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations Yes Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Historically Black 

Colleges and 

Universities (HBCU) 

& Black Greek 

Diversity Career 

Expo

OFI will support Smithsonian Staff in attendance at the HBCU 

& Black Greek Diversity Career Expo.

06/08/2016 - 

06/09/2016 Planned African Americans Career Fairs No

Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

NSF GRIP Agencies 

"Best Practices" 

Meeting

Interagency Group Aimed at Strengthening Higher Ed STEM 

Education, particularly among under represented groups. 06/14/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Other Yes Program Diversity

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SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Signed Partnership 

Agreement with 

Pathways to Careers

Partnership to facilitate the placement of young adults with 

disabilities with Smithsonian internships. 6/24/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Memorandums of Understanding Formal No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

Knowledge 

Exchange on 

Undergraduate 

STEM education

Discussion on how to progress STEM for undergrads. 06/15/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations Yes Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

OFI

Conference on 

Asian Pacific 

American 

Leadership (CAPAL) 

Career Conference

SI Participation at the CAPAL Career Conference. 07/15/2016 Completed Asian Americans Career Fairs No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost OFI

Remarks to 

students at Virginia 

Commonwealth 

University

Remarks to students at VCU, the largest Minority Serving 

Institution of Higher Ed in Virginia 09/10/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Career Counseling Yes Workforce Diversity

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Provost SAAM Romare Bearden Gallery Talk

Public Programs manager Nona Martin discusses the collagss 

of Romare Bearden and how the artist expressed a powerful 

and personal narrative.

03/30/2016 Completed African Americans Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM The Meanings of Afro-Latinidad

E. Carmen Ramos, Curator of Latino Art, presented a 

conference paper, "The Meanings of Afro-Latinidad," at the 

20th Annual Arturo A. Schomburg Symposium: SHIFTING 

IDENTIES: Expressing Afrolatinidad, Taller Puertorriqueno, 

Philadelphia, PA

03/30/2016 Completed African Americans

Hispanics Conference Paper Presentation No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

Love, Lilyan 

backpacks for 

students

Funded by an endowment from a former docent. Provides 

backpacks full of art supplies for underserved students in Title 

1 and FERS programs in DC, MA and VA schools. 

2013-on going In-progress

African Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

School Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Student Bus Grants Buses provided to bring students to the museum for field trips.  Donor Funded. 2014 - Ongoing In-progress

African Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

School Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Fellowship Program

Fellows Program. Achieved 31% diversity rate in this year's 

class of 16 Fellows. Includes 1 African American, 3 Asian 

American and 1 Hispanic.

06/2015 - 

09/2016 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Fellowship Program No Workforce Diversity

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Initiative

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Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

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Initiative

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Category

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Provost

SAAM America InSight Docent led gallery talks designed for visitors who are blind or 

have low vision.

07/2015 - 

Ongoing In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Public Program - Gallery Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

Internships, 

Advanced Level 

Program 

Intern Program. Achieved 13% diversity rate. 15 students 

currently enrolled, including 1 Hispanic and 1 Native American.

09/2015 - 

05/2016 In-progress HispanicsNative Americans Internship Program No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

The Modern Pueblo 

Paintings of Awa 

Tsireh

The paintings of Awa Tsireh, also known by his Spanish name, 

Alfonso Roybal, represent an encounter between the art 

traditions of the native Pueblo peoples in the Southwestern 

United States and the American modernist art style begun in 

New York, which quickly spread across the country.

09/04/2015 - 

01/31/2016 Completed HispanicsNative Americans

Exhibition No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Art Signs Ongoing series of Gallery talks for deaf visitors in American Sign Language (ASL), usually held twice a month.

10/12/2013 - 

Ongoing In-progress Individuals with Disabilities Public Program - Gallery Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

Exhibition catalog 

essay: "Lonnie 

Holley in Memory 

of the Blood"

"Lonnie Holley: In Memory of the Blood," essay by curator 

Leslie Umberger, published in exhibition catalog titled 

Something to Take My Place: The Art of Lonnie Holley, editor 

Mark Sloan. Published by Halsey Institute of Contemporary 

Art, College of Charleston, School of the Arts, Charleston, 

South Carolina. Published on the occasion of the exhibition 

"Something to Take My Place: The Art of Lonnie Holley," 

August 22-October 10, 2015.

10/01/2015 Completed African Americans Publication No Program Diversity

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Initiative

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Type

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Category

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Provost

SAAM Latino Collection

E. Carmen Ramos, Curator of Latino Art, was guest speaker 

for a New York University/Washington DC Graduate Class, 

"Expressive Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Art and 

Museum Display in Washington, D.C., course taught by Prof. 

Wendy Grossman. 

10/08/2015 Completed Hispanics Guest Speaker No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Direct Carving: Gallery Talk Gallery talk led by sculpture curator Karen Lemmey. 10/15/2015 Completed African AmericansNative Americans Exhibition No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

Shifting the 

Mainstream 

Narrative: Five Selftaught Artists Who 

Made a Difference 

Curator Leslie Umberger participated on this panel session 

that included discussions on Sabato Rodia, David Butler, 

Emery Blagdon, James Hampton and Lonnie Holley.

10/16/2015 Completed African Americans Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

Our America: The 

Latino Presence in 

American Art

Exhibition organized by E. Carmen Ramos, curator of Latino 

art. Presents more than ninety works of art across all media 

by significant Latino artists active from the 1950s to today, 

and gives voice to their broader American experience. During 

this reporting period, show was open at Arkansas Arts Center, 

Little Rock, Arkansas, Oct. 16, 2015-Jan. 17, 2016; and opens 

at the Delware Art Museum, March 5, 2016.

10/25/2013 - 

10/15/2017 In-progress Hispanics Traveling Exhibitions

Exhibition, Publication No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Jesus Moroles, an appreciation

Essay by Curator Virginia Mecklenburg, published in American 

Art (Fall 2015). 11/2015 Completed Hispanics Publication No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 129 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Initiative

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Provost SAAM Creating American Stories

Ongoing program of bus funding that allows school visits in 

under-represented areas.

11/1/2015 - 

Ongoing In-progress

African Americans

Hispanics School Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM WONDER

Ongoing exhibition at the Renwick Gallery featuring nine 

contemporary artists - among them Chakaia Booker (African 

American) and Maya Lin (Asian American)

11/13/2015 - 

07/10/2016 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans Exhibition, Publication No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

Our America: The 

Latino Presence in 

American Art

E. Carmen Ramos, Curator of Latino Art, presented lecture in 

conjunction with exhibition "Our America: The Latino 

Presence in American Art," at the Arkansas Art Center, Little 

Rock, Arkansas

11/15/2015 Completed Hispanics Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

Modern Pueblo 

Paintings of Awa 

Tsireh: Gallery Talk

NMAI's David Penney examines how Awa Tsireh combined 

traditional Pueblo motifs and American modernism. 12/09/2015 Completed Native Americans Public Program - Gallery Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Conversation with Chakaia Booker

Discussion with Renwick "Wonder!" African American artist 

Chakaia Booker 12/19/2015 Completed African Americans Public Program - Panel Discussion No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Latino Collection

E. Carmen Ramos, Curator of Latino Art, was guest speaker in 

Prof. Abby McEwen's Latin American Art History graduate 

seminar at the University of Maryland, College Park

12/02/2015 Completed Hispanics Guest Speaker No Program Diversity

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Unit

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Initiative

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Group(s) Engaged

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Category

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Provost SAAM Take 5! Live jazz series concert that included a stone-carving demonstration by African American sculptor John Sonnier. 01/21/2016 Completed African Americans Public Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM Eldredge Prize 

lecture

Dr. Amy Lyford, professor of art history and associate dean of 

arts and humanities at Occidental College in Los Angeles, 

presented a lecture: "Isamu Noguchi, Asian American and 

Artistic Identity in Postwar New York".

01/27/2016 Completed Asian Americans Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

African American 

Art/Google Art 

Project

SAAM got the opportunity to showcase some of its best art 

from African American Artists when the Google Art Project 

asked us to participate in its online project: African American 

Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond 

presents 43 artworks from our collection, including works by 

chroniclers of the African American experience, such as 

photographer James VanDerZee and William H. Johnson to 

contemporary artists like Frank E. Cummings III and Lonnie 

Holley.

02/2016 Completed African Americans Virtual Programming

Publication No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM Loan Program

Lent William H. Johnson painting to the exhibition REMIX: 

Themes and Variations in African-American Art, organized by 

the Columbus Museum of Art, South Carolina.

02/05/2016 - 

05/03/2016 In-progress African Americans Exhibition No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Loan Program

Lent 3 paintings by Alma Thomas to an exhibition of her works 

at the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery 

at Skidmore College. The exhibition will travel to the Studio 

Museum, Harlem, summer 2016.

02/06/2016 - 

06/05/2016 In-progress African Americans Exhibition No Program Diversity

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Provost SAAM Wikipedia edit-athon

Two Wikipedia edit-a-thons, organized and led by Ryan 

Linthicum and Sara Snyder, from SAAM's Media Technology 

office. The edit-a-thons expanded articles on African 

American artists in SAAM's holdings and used materials that 

SAAM recently contributed to the Google Cultural Institute.

02/16/2016

02/20/2106 Completed African Americans Publication No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Artist Talk

Talk and booksigning by Wonder exhibition artist and 

architect Maya Lin. She discusses her work and her 

submission for the Wonder exhibition: Folding the 

Chesapeake.

02/26/2016 Completed Asian Americans Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM Direct Carving

Exhibition by Karen Lemmey, curator of sculpture. Includes 24 

sculptures from across the twentieth century that showcase 

the direct carving method. Included are works by artist of 

diverse backgrounds, including African American and Native 

American.

03/2015 - 

Ongoing In-progress African AmericansNative Americans

Exhibition No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Museum Day Live! Family Celebration

A day of life music, performances and craft at the Renwick, 

celebrating women and girls of color and their many 

contributions to our communities. Events hosted by 

Smithsonian Digital to promote our nation's dynamic heritage 

and cultural life.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Public Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

SAAM Cherry 

Blossom 

Celebration

A celebration of Japanese culture and the arrival of cherry 

blossoms. Events included a taiko drumming performance, 

followed by other traditional Japanese music and dance, face 

painting, and cherry-blossom themed crafts.

04/09/2016 Completed Asian Americans Public Program Yes Program Diversity

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Provost SAAM

Our America: The 

Latino Presence in 

American Art

Conversation with curator E. Carmen Ramos and artist Pepon 

Osorio. 04/14/2016 Completed Hispanics Public Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Kerry James Marshall: Mastry

Lent SOB, SOB, a painting by African American artist Kerry 

James Marshall to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, 

for their exhibition of the artist's work.

04/23/2016 - 

06/25/2016 Completed African Americans Exhibition No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM Martin Puryear: 

Multiple Dimensions

Traveling exhibition of Martin Puryear's works organized by 

the Art Institute of Chicago, showing at SAAM, May 25 

through Sept. 5, 2016. The show traces the artist's career from 

his student days to the present and includes more than fifty 

drawings and prints as well as thirteen sculptures--many 

borrowed from the artist and never displayed before.

05/25/2016 - 

09/05/2016 Completed African Americans Exhibition No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Martin Puryear: Multiple Dimensions

Conversation with artist Martin Puryear, SAAM sculpture 

curator Karen Lemmey and Art Institute of Chicago exhibition 

curator Mark Pascale.

06/01/2016 Completed African Americans Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

Conservation in 

Focus: Martin 

Puryear

In this gallery walk through, objects conservator Helen Ingalls 

discusses the materials and techniques used by artist Martin 

Puryear.

06/03/2016

06/10/2016 Completed African Americans Public Program - Gallery Talk No Program Diversity

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Provost

SAAM The Art of Romaine 

Brooks

Exhibition devoted to American expatriate artist Romaine 

Brooks (1874-1970). Brooks lived most of her life in Paris 

where she was a leading figure of an artistic counterculture of 

upper-class Europeans and American expatriates, many of 

whom were creative, bohemian and homosexual. She 

explored themes of gender and sexuality in her portraits. This 

exhibition brings together fifty paintings and drawings from 

the museum's permanent collection; and it is scheduled to go 

on tour.

06/17/2016 - 

10/02/2016 In-progress LGBTQ Exhibition No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

Art Discussions: 

Romaine Brooks, a 

20th-Century 

Woman

Scholars Cassandra Langer, art historian and author of 

Romaine Brooks: A Life; Sylvia Kahan, Professor of 

Performing and Creative Arts, CUNY College of Staten Island; 

Helen Langa, Associate Professor, Art History, American 

University; and Virginia Mecklenburg, SAAM Chief Curator, 

provide an in-depth look at the fascinating life and art of 

Romaine Brooks.

06/17/2016 Completed LGBTQ Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Summer Film Program: Basquiat

This film tells the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat and his 

meteoric career in the New York art world. The 1996 film was 

the first major feature film about an African American artist. 

06/18/2016 Completed African Americans Public Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Conversation with Gabriel Dawe

Discussion with Renwick "Wonder!" Hispanic artist Gabriel 

Dawe. 06/23/2016 Completed Hispanics Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

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Provost

SAAM Luce Artist Talks

Annie Bouie discusses the trajectory of her career and how her 

work achieves greater goals of art's ability to teach, heal, and 

sustain cultural meaning.

06/25/2016 Completed African Americans Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

Annual Name June 

Paik birthday 

celebration

Artists Lilla LoCurto and Bill Outcault talk about their latest 

creation, the willful marionette, inspired built from 3-D 

scanned images of a human figure.

07/14/2016 Completed Asian Americans Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM Summer Film Program: Frida

This feature film follows the turbulent lives of Frida Kahlo and 

her husband Diego Rivera, two of the most acclaimed artists in 

Mexican history 

07/16/2016 Completed Hispanics Public Program - Film No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

Conservation of our 

Collections: 

Romaine Brooks

Gallery talk with Tiarna Doherty, Chief of Conservation, 

highlighting the materials and techniques used by Romaine 

Brooks in her paintings and paintings conservators work to 

preserve their intended effects.

08/15/2016 Completed LGBTQ Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM

Harlem Heroes: 

Photographs by 

Carl Van Vechten

Author and social commentator Carl Van Vechten (1880-1964) 

began taking photographs in 1932. For the next three decades 

he made portraits of writers, musicians, athletes and many of 

the central figures in the Harlem Renaissance. This exhibition 

features thirty-nine images from SAAM's permanent 

collection and is accompanied by a publication.

08/26/2016 - 

03/19/2017 In-progress African Americans Exhibition, Publication No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 135 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
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Group(s) Engaged

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Provost

SAAM

Conservation in 

Focus: Martin 

Puryear

Walk through the exhibition Martin Puryear: Multiple 

Dimensions with objects conservator Helen Ingalls. 09/01/2016 Completed African Americans Public Program - Gallery Talk No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM Fellowship Program

For class of 2016/17, achieved diversity rate of 16%. Of the 25 

fellows, there are 3 Hispanics, 1 Asian American, and 21 

women

09/01/2016 - 

08/31/2017 In-progress Asian AmericansHispanics Fellowship Program No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

Internships, 

Advanced Level 

Program 

Fall 2016 class, achieved 25% diversity rate. 09/2016 - 

12/2016 In-progress

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Internship Program No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

Visions and 

Revisions: Renwick 

Invitational 2016

This exhibition features the work of four artists who explore a 

current fascination with change, transformation, ruin, and 

reinvention: Steven Young Lee (a Korean-American), Kristen 

Morgin, Jennifer Trask and Norwood Viviano.

09/09/2016 - 

01/08/2017 In-progress Asian Americans Exhibition, Publication No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

Our America: The 

Latino Presence in 

American Art

Lecture given in conjunction with exhibition opening at 

Allentown Art Museum by curator E. Carmen Ramos on "What 

is Latino about American Art?

09/11/2016 Completed Hispanics Public Program - Lecture No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SAAM

Walk in tours - 

African American 

Art

All walk-in tours from September 23 – 25 will highlight African 

American artists in the collection. In celebration of the 

opening of NMAAHC

09/23/2016 - 

09/25/2016 Planned African Americans Tours No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SAAM The Art of Romaine Brooks

Gallery talk with Joe Lucchesi, the exhibition's consulting 

curator and associate professor of art history at St. Mary's 

College of Maryland.

09/29/2016 Planned LGBTQ Public Program - Gallery Talk No Program Diversity

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Provost

Scientific 

Diving 

Program

Diving Tests

translating our diving tests to Spanish for the students at STRI 

for which English is a second (at best) language ($1K) and 

training material ($5K)

FY 2016 Planned Hispanics Training No Program Diversity 

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

Scientific 

Diving 

Program

Utilizing minority 

owned business

Purchased video conference unit from a minority owned 

business. FY 2016 Completed Historically Underrepresented Groups Supplier Diversity no Supplier Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIA

Created a new 

position for Grade 3 

Archives Aide: 

Former Project 

SEARCH intern

Created a new position for Grade 3 Archives Aide: Former 

Project SEARCH intern that the Project SEARCH team agreed 

was job-ready for this Grade 3, PT position (50 hrs/PP). MOA 

with OPMB provides reimbursement to SIA for first 2-years 

while permanent funding for position is sought/secured.

07/2015 In-Progress Individuals with Disabilities Diversifying Workforce No Workforce Diversity

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Provost SIA

SIA's annual 

Women's History 

Month Wikipedia 

Edit-a-thon

The 2016 Women's History Month Wikipedia Edit-a-thon 

focused on Women of Color in coordination with a White 

House initiative.

Spearheaded by SIA's Effie Kapsalis, other SI collaborators 

included NMAAHC, APAC, and SLC.

01/19/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Women

Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIA

Museum Day Live! 

Inspiring Women 

and Girls of Color.

Michael Barnes, Photographer, SIA, documented the activities 

and experiences offered throughout the Institution on March 

12th in celebration of Museum Day Live! Inspiring Women and 

Girls of Color. This photography will reside in the SIA 

collection and serve to preserve the memory.

03/12/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Women

Museum Day Live! No Program Diversity

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Provost

SIA

 "Color Our History" 

Wikipedia Edit-athon trends on 

Twitter 

Organized and led by Effie Kapsalis, Head of Web, New Media, 

and Outreach for the Smithsonian Institution Archives, the 

“Color Our History” Wikipedia Edit-a-thon was held Saturday, 

March 19th as part of the Smithsonian's extensive Museum 

Day activities and sharing in the White House's focus on 

encouraged women and girls of color to connect with our 

cultural heritage. The event encouraged 16 new Wikipedia 

editors, and produced or improved 18 articles including an 

article for recently deceased Claudine Brown, Assistant 

Secretary for Smithsonian Education and Access. Thirty-two 

attended in person and several people participated remotely 

editing articles. The event trended on Twitter in D.C., reaching 

435,520 Twitter accounts with 659,744 impressions. It was 

held in conjunction with the Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific 

American Center, Latino Center, and National Museum of 

African American History and Culture Museum, and National 

Museum of American Indian.

03/19/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Women

Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIA

Louis Purnell Oral 

History Interviews 

Processed

Lisa Fthenakis, Institutional History Assistant, completed 

processing of 

the Louis Purnell Oral History Interviews. The first African 

American curator at the Smithsonian, Purnell was a Tuskegee 

Airman and museum technician at NMNH before becoming a 

curator of space science at NASM. They are now available for 

research. 

04/29/2016 Completed African Americans Collection Access No Workforce Diversity

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SIA

"African American 

Contributions to the 

Smithsonian" web 

exhibit

"African American Contributions to the Smithsonian": A web 

exhibit about the contributions African Americans have made 

to the Smithsonian, from its early days to the present. With 10 

featured vignettes and an introductory page, it will launch in 

conjunction with the opening of NMAAHC (Funding received 

from NMAAHC and Office of the Provost was used to contract 

the writer/historian for his services.)

02/01/2016 - 

07/15/2016 In-Progress African Americans Education and Outreach No Workforce Diversity

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Provost SIL SIL Part-time shelving clerks

SIL's CHM Library with support from the Museum employs 

two autistic men 4 hours each per week. They do clerical 

duties & stack maintenance. Program has been in place for 

15+ years. (Salary assumed by CHM. )

FY2016 In Progress Individuals with Disabilities Employment of Individuals with 

Disabilities No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL

Anacostia 

Community 

Museum Library 

Outreach to Public 

Library

Outreach to Public Library FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Programming Outreach Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL ACM Career Day SIL Participates in ACM Career Day FY 2016 In Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Career Counseling

Career Fairs Yes Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost SIL SIL Hiring Recruiting and hiring for diversity FY 2016 In Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Recruitment Yes Workforce Diversity

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Provost SIL

SIL 201X 

Professional 

Development 

Internships

SIL internship program FY 2016 In Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Internship Yes Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost SIL Anacostia Neighborhood Fair SIL Participation in Anacostia Neighborhood Fair FY 2016 In Progress

African Americans

Hispanics Programming Outreach Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SIL Mentoring Mentoring an aspiring rare book librarian 07/2015 -07/2016 In-Progress African Americans Career Counseling No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL Al-Mutanabbi 

Street Starts Here Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here cultural festival 01/2016 - 03/2016 Completed

Americans of Middle Eastern descent

Asian Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Outreach through Cultural 

Festival No Program Diversity

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Initiative

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SIL

SIL's Social Media 

Outreach to 

Underserved 

Communities

SIL's Social Media Outreach to Underserved Communities: 

-Presentation on making animated GIFs at the National Archives for 

the Latinos in Tech DC Meetup group

-Tumblr post on Asian American History Month

-Tumblr post on LGBT Pride Month

-African American History tweets: 22 tweets reaching 109K 

impressions

-Blog post on books by Latin American Artists

-Blog post, "Spiral: Discussing the Role of African American Artists in 

the Civil Rights Movement"

-Tweets related to SI Youth Summit on Japanese internment: 18K 

impressions on 6 tweets

-General campaign to create more inclusive social media presence: 46 

tweets with 139k impressions; 30 Facebook posts with 80K 

impressions

01/2016 - 

06/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Social Media No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SIL Graduate Student Intern

Graduate assistant from the George Mason University/SI 

History of Decorative Arts (HDA)program working in the 

American History Library

09/01/2015 - 

04/30/2016 In-Progress African Americans Graduate Student Intern No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL

"Al-Mutanabbi 

Street” SIL 

Exhibition

“Come Together: American Artists Respond to Al-Mutanabbi 

Street” exhibition.

02/01/2016 - 

03/30/2016 Completed

Americans of Middle Eastern descent

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Outreach through Cultural 

Festival No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SIL Museum Day Live! Museum Day Live! Tour of exhibitions throughout the Smithsonian Libraries 03/12/2016 Completed African Americans Smithsonian Outreach to Women and Girls of Color No Workforce Diversity

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Initiative

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Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

Type

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Initiative

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Provost SIL

SIL NMAfA Library 

hosted Project 

Search Intern

SIL NMAfA Library hosted Project Search Intern. 04/2016 - 

06/2016 Completed Individuals with Disabilities Intern Project No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL

FSG Library Mughal 

Wikipedia Intern 

Project

FSG Library Mughal Wikipedia Intern Project 04/02/2016 - 

08/30/2016 In-Progress African AmericansAsian Americans Intern Project No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL

SIL 

Presentation/tour 

of Cullman Library 

rare-book collection

Presentation/tour of Cullman Library rare-book collection to 

Panama’s Young Presidents Organization. 04/07/2016 Completed Hispanics Programming Outreach No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SIL

Anacostia Career 

Day tour of the 

Library

Anacostia Career Day tour of the Library 05/19/2016 Completed African Americans Career Counseling No Workforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL SIL/BHL Global 

Outreach Met with National Library Board, Singapore Staff 05/19/2016 Completed Asian Memorandums of Understanding Formal No Program Diversity

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Provost SIL BHL BioBlitz

Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) booth at the 2016 BioBlitz 

and Biodiversity Festival on the National Mall at Constitution 

Gardens. The event introduced visitors to the extensive free 

resources available through BHL and helped them understand 

how those resources can help them identify and learn more 

about nature around them.

05/20/2016 - 

05/21/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

General Outreach to Public No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SIL

SIL NMAfA Library 

hosted Broad 

Futures Intern

SIL NMAfA Library hosted Broad Futures Intern. 06/2016 - 

08/2016 In-Progress Individuals with Disabilities Programming Outreach No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL

SIL Outreach 

Related to 

Freedmen's Bureau 

Project

NMAAHC Library's Genealogy Specialist, Hollis Gentry, was 

asked to speak at the Freedmen's Bureau Project, which an 

indexing event as part of an Eagle Scout Service Project 

initiated by John Ebeling, a Boy Scout from the Church of 

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Broomall, PA.

06/11/2016 Completed African Americans Programming Outreach No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SIL SIL/BHL Global 

Outreach Met with National Library Board, Singapore Staff 06/25/2016 Completed Asian Memorandums of Understanding Formal No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

Young 

Ambassadors 

Program: Alumni 

Conexiones

First Quarter

Hosted 5 Conexiones regional alumni reunions in Atlanta, 

Miami, New York City, San Antonio, and Washington D.C. 

Phase 2 of the YAP Alumni Impact Study continued with select 

focus groups with 10 alumni. The Center and YAP Alumni 

Network Advisory Group launched annual #YAPgiveback 

campaign from Dec. 1–31, fundraising for YAP Alumni 

Mentorship-Internship Initiative prototype. $1,135 raised by 15 

Alumni participants.

10/01/2015 - 

12/31/2015 Please choose one:

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Virtual Programming

Other Community Outreach Yes Program Diversity

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Initiative

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SLC

Cultural 

Expressions: 

Investigate and 

Learn School & 

Educators 

Workshop, NMAINY

Included an interactive tour of Cerámica de los Ancestros: 

Central America’s Past Revealed exhibition and a 

topographical hands-on activity. Targeted NYC teachers, 

showcased exhibition and resources use in-gallery and in 

classroom. Attendance: 65

10/01/2015 – 

10/02/2015

10/15/2015 

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

School & Educators Workshop Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

¡Descubra! Meet 

the Science Expert 

Program at 

Hispanic Innovators 

in Air and Space 

Family Day

Hispanic Innovators in Air and Space Family Day, National Air 

and Space Museum (NASM) featuring Dr. Yajaira Sierra 

Sastre, Nanotechnology and Planetary Scientist and Create-It 

activity: Let’s Land a Rover on Mars. Attendance: 20,563.

10/03/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Family Programs Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

One Life: Dolores 

Huerta Family Day, 

NPG

Presented community oral history activity with biography 

profiles presented in exhibitions One Life: Dolores Huerta and 

Our Journeys, Our Stories.

10/04/2015 Completed

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Family Day No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

Hispanic 

Association for 

Colleges and 

Universities (HACU) 

Conference, Miami 

Beach, FL:

SLC Education Programs Manager presented at 3 panels on 

student opportunities, networking, and university 

partnerships and YAP Alumni Alcancemos volunteers staffed 

SI booth and presented on SI panels. This conference had a 

Multi-SI unit presence (SLC, OFI, NMAH, OHR, OEEMA) to 

promote opportunities for high school to graduate students. 

Over 600 Students and University Administrators attended 

the conference.

10/10/2015 - 

10/12/2015 Completed

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations

No Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

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Initiative

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Initiative

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Initiative

Diversity

Category

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Provost

SLC Day of the Dead 

Festival, NMAI

The Day of the Dead Concert at NMAI featured Smithsonian 

Folkways Recordings artist Quetzal. This standing room only 

concert kicked-off 2-day festival. The Day of the Dead Festival 

featured author and artist Carmen Lomas Garza, Francisco X. 

Alarcón and Caridad de la Luz (La Bruja). 2,000 handouts with 

take-home activities distributed. Featured in Washington 

Post as one of the “Top Things to Do in D.C.” during 

Halloween. Sponsored by AARP and Southwest Airlines.

10/30/2015

10/31/2015 – 

11/01/2015

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Family Festival No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

Latino Virtual 

Museum (LVM) 

Mobile Broadcast 

Series

Day of the Dead and Holiday Foodways, an innovative social 

media outreach campaign, captured over 72 community 

stories and making them accessible live via mobile. This 

broadcast has had over 17,267 broadcast views. and is 

supported through a Target Education Grant.

11/01/2015 Completed Hispanics Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

¡Descubra! Meet 

the Science Expert 

Program at 

Hispanic Innovators 

in Air and Space 

Family Day

SLC partnered with SHPE Foundation and USPTO Noche de 

Ciencia for a family outreach event distributing create-it 

pocket science notecards and conducting science activities for 

500 parents and children. Also included the Create-it Activity: 

Let’s Land a Rover on Mars.

11/05/2015 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Family Programs No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

Puerto Rico Aquí y 

Allá Symposium, 

Museo y Centro de 

Estudios 

Humanísticos, 

Universidad del 

Turabo, Gurabo, PR

Co-presented with Smithsonian Affiliations and featured 

Puerto Rican scholars from the island and the mainland, 

discussing the formation of identity and culture in their 

respective geographic areas. Attendance: 350.

11/05/2015 - 

11/06/2015 Completed Hispanics Conferences w/Colleges or Universities No Program Diversity

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Initiative

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Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

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SLC

Annual Conference 

on D.C. Historical 

Studies, Historical 

Society of 

Washington, D.C

SLC Exhibitions and Public Programs Director served on 

conference steering committee and presented on the D.C. 

Latino History Project. Attendance: 280.

11/13/2015 - 

11/15/2015

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

Outreach Program 

and Advance 

Screening of Eva 

Longoria’s 

“Telenovela” with 

NBC 

Entertainment, 

Miami, FL

Featured commentary on telenovela genre and on-stage 

conversation with cast after screening. Program supported by 

NBC Entertainment.

12/02/2015 Completed Hispanics Outreach No Program Diversity

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Oct. 20–Nov. 3: 

Sixth Annual Latino 

Virtual Museum 

(LVM) Day of the 

Dead Festival 

The Sixth Annual Latino Virtual Museum (LVM) Day of the Dead 

festival featured a 3-D Printed Altar Kit-Prototype and Oculus Rift 

‘Placita’ Simulation that was developed by student interns from 

university partners at University of Texas at El Paso and Michigan 

State University and used in 4 community altar learning 

demonstrations and 4 workshops. This event also incorporated 

SLC's presence on the Google Cultural Institute by featuring 150 

images and videos from the LVM Day of the Dead digital 

collection that was viewed by 17,210 visitors from Oct. 31–Nov. 2. 

SLC also co-hosted with the National Girls Collaborative and 

Children's Creative Museum a National Webinar and Workshops 

for Educators program that featured the LVM Google Cultural 

Institute work to 200 registrants. SLC also created an eCourse 

Guide on Apple iTunes University launched in conjunction with the 

National Webinar Broadcast that reached 40,000+ during Oct. 

31–Nov. 2. SLC also produced an Art and Culture Podcast Series 

that had 1,500 downloads day of launch (Oct. 28) and featured 

animated poem and avatar of historical figure Macuilxochitzin. 

SLC also incorporated a Digital Mural Commission featuring the 

art work of Macuilxochitzin installed in LVM-UTEP Second Life 

virtual placita and unveiled with Dead Poets Open Mic, a Second 

Life avatar participatory event. The Festival was support through 

a Target Education Grant and The Walt Disney Company.

10/20/15-11/3/15 Please choose one: Hispanics

Memorandums of 

Understanding Formal

Memorandums of 

Understanding Informal

Virtual Programming

Yes Program Diversity

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Young 

Ambassadors 

Program: Alumni 

Conexiones

Second Quarter

Five Alcancemos Community Outreach Events with eight YAP 

Alumni were involved in outreach events in five high schools, 

colleges, and conferences in Illinois, California, Florida, and 

Texas. YAP Alumni conducted outreach at the Houston 

Hispanic Forum’s Career and Education Day 2016 (estimated 

attendance: 12,000).

01/01/2016 - 

03/31/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Virtual Programming;#Other 

Community Outreach Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

Latino Virtual 

Museum (LVM) 

Mobile Broadcast 

Series

Holiday Foodways Series for Three Kings Day featured four 

community programs and six oral histories were captured via 

mobile broadcast and live streamed online around the Three 

Kings Day holiday traditions. UStream views: 686 Foodways 

Series social media metrics: LVM Facebook: 1,662 reached and 

139 engagements; LVM Twitter: 15.7k impressions

01/02/2016 - 

01/06/2016 Completed Hispanics Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

“A Celebration of 

Afro-Indigenous 

Heritage: James 

Lovell & Band,” 

National Museum 

of the American 

Indian, New York, 

NY

Concert featured the music and heritage of the Garífuna, an 

Afro-Indigenous group from Central America with a large 

diasporic community in the Bronx. Held in connection with 

exhibition Cerámica de los Ancestros: Central America’s Past 

Revealed. Attendance: 460

02/06/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Public Programming No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

US Latino Arts 

Futures Steering 

Committee 

Meeting, Pérez Art 

Museum, Miami, FL

Featured a gathering of 21 museum and foundation leaders, 

including SLC Director, addressing pressing issues of minimal 

Latino presence in museum research, exhibitions and 

collections with an outcome of a preliminary agenda for a 

larger symposium to be held in fall 2016, hosted by the Ford 

Foundation, the project sponsor, in New York, NY.

02/12/2016 Completed Hispanics Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

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Initiative

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Group(s) Engaged

Initiative

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Initiative

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Provost

SLC

Latinos and 

Baseball: In the 

Barrios and the Big 

Leagues Outreach

On February 19, SLC's Director spoke at the first community 

event of a multi-year collecting initiative at NMAH in 

collaboration with SLC, exploring the role of baseball in Latino 

community development. Event was held at California State 

University, San Bernardino, CA. On August 12 - 13, SLC's 

Director gave welcome remarks and participated in collecting 

Initiative at Kansas City Museum, supported by the Latino 

Initiatives Pool.

02/19/2016

08/12/2016 - 

08/13/2016

In-progress

Hispanics

African Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Programs w/colleges or 

universities

No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC Museum Day Live! 

at the Smithsonian

Museum Day Live! was a Smithsonian-wide effort to 

encourage the public, especially women and girls of color 

throughout the U.S., to enjoy and share in our nation’s 

dynamic heritage and cultural life. 

On March 12, SLC hosted the Ladies’ Lightning Leadership 

Talks, Smithsonian Castle Commons. It was Co-coordinated 

by SLC, SCLDA, and the Museum Day Live! program 

committee, talks provided an opportunity for girls of color, 

grades 8–11, to interact with women in various careers across 

the Smithsonian and learn about leadership opportunities. 

Attendance: 65

On March 19, SLC hosted Color History with the Smithsonian! 

Wiki-edit-a-thon at NMAI that aimed to write minority women 

into history by joining the Smithsonian and its partnership 

with Wikipedia. SLC was one of five (5) Smithsonian units 

participating. It was also shared on LVM’s Facebook and 

Twitter. LVM Facebook posts reached 5,296 and engaged 842. 

LVM Twitter resulted in 933 impressions.

03/12/16; 

03/19/16 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Family Programs No Program Diversity

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Initiative

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Provost SLC

Exhibition tour and 

presentation with 

University of 

Pennsylvania Latino 

Students, NPG, 

Washington, D.C. 

Students toured One Life: Dolores Huerta exhibition with 

curator Taína Caragol, after which SLC. Director presented on 

SLC and its role in supporting Latino presence at the 

Smithsonian. Negative cost denotes honoraria received by 

SLC.

03/19/2016 Completed Hispanics Presentation to Colleges No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

Latino Virtual 

Museum (LVM) 

Mobile Broadcast 

Series

Danzantes Unidos Festival (DUF) featured 42 live mobile 

broadcasts and 11 ethnographic interviews of largest Mexican 

folk dance gathering in the United States, held in East Los 

Angeles, CA. UStream views: 9,175. Outreach social media 

metrics: LVM Facebook: 2,507 reached and LVM Twitter: 7.0k 

impressions.

03/21/2016 Completed Hispanics Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

Latino Virtual 

Museum (LVM) 

Mobile Broadcast 

Series

Participated in World Poetry Day, which aims to promote 

reading, writing, and teaching of poetry throughout the world. 

World Poetry Day social media metrics: LVM Facebook: 1,079 

reached; 54 engagements and LVM Twitter: 871 impressions.

03/21/2016 Completed Hispanics Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

Guest Lecture to 

History Museum 

Fellows Program, 

Minnesota 

Historical Society, 

St. Paul, MN

SLC Director gave guest lecture on cultural institutions to 12 

undergraduate fellows from the University of Minnesota, Twin 

Cities, via video conference. The History Museum Fellows 

Program focuses on diversifying the museum field.

03/29/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Career Counseling

Virtual Programming No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

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Young 

Ambassadors 

Program: Alumni 

Conexiones

Third Quarter

On April 6 SLC held a Conexiones Regional Reunion in Chicago 

with 4 alumni

Inaugural SLC and YAP Alumni Network Ask a Young 

Ambassador Webinar Series launched on April 23 with 12 

alumni. SLC hosted a 45-minute short series via Google 

Hangout features young professional YAP alumni discussing 

common academic and professional skill-building topics. 

Inaugural session featured Guillermo Peralta, YA ’08, leading a 

discussion on Navigating Life as a Young Professional. On 

May 19 SLC hosted Alcancemos Mentor Days Outreach, 

Spring Woods High School, Houston, TX with alumni Alana 

Zamora, YA ’13, Valdemar Martínez, YA ’13, and Andrew 

Salinas, YA ’13. 

From June 18–25 SLC Alumni Program Support Staff for 2016 

YAP Washington Week and eight YAP alumni assisted in the 

implementation of Washington Week programming. They 

also attended a facilitated Program Support Staff training on 

June 18.

04/01/2016 - 

06/30/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Virtual Programming

Community Outreach Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

Latino Virtual 

Museum (LVM) 

Mobile Broadcast 

Series

What We Hold #CultureConnectsSantaFe featured 12 live 

broadcasts from Santa Fe, NM, in collaboration with 

#‎CultureConnectsSantaFe‬, featuring personal stories across 

different topics from the community. UStream views: 886. 

Social Media Outreach Metrics: LVM Facebook 1k reached 

and LVM Twitter 1.2k impressions.

04/04/2016 - 

04/06/2016 Completed Hispanics Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

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Initiative

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Provost SLC

Latino Art Now! 

Conference, 

University of Illinois 

at Chicago, 

Chicago, IL

Co-hosted with the Inter-University Program for Latino 

Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, conference 

welcomed students, academics, museum professionals, and 

artists. Latino Art Now! was supported by large local 

network, and was accompanied by about 40 local exhibits of 

Latino Art, dubbed by the City of Chicago’s Department of 

Cultural Affairs and Special Events as the “Spring of Latino 

Art.” SLC Director chaired panel, Art and the Funding of the 

Future of America, with panelists from Hispanics in 

Philanthropy, Joyce Foundation, Helicon Collaborative, and 

Grantmakers in the Arts. Conference featured three-day 

social media campaign with live coverage, including 21 mobile 

broadcasts, via SLC social media channels and those of 

partner organizations. 

Campaign metrics:

SLC Ustream: 341 views

SLC Facebook: 879 reached

SLC Twitter: 13.3k impressions

Attendance: 350

04/07/2016 - 

04/09/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

LBGTQ

Conferences w/Colleges or 

Universities No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

Latino Virtual 

Museum (LVM) 

Mobile Broadcast 

Series

México de Hoy featured 31 live mobile broadcasts highlighting 

music, dance, food, and environment of Mexico City while 

exploring cultural preservation and promotion across regions 

and national borders. Guest participants included Maestra 

Viviana Amalia Hernández, Director of Ballet Folklórico de 

México, Don José Genoveno Pérez, Chinampas of Xochimilco, 

among others. UStream views: 2,561 Social Media Outreach 

Metrics: SLC Facebook 15.7k reached and SLC Twitter 13.3k 

impressions.

04/28/2016 - 

05/05/2016 Completed Hispanics Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

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Initiative

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Provost SLC

American Alliance 

of Museums (AAM) 

Conference, 

Washington, D.C.

SLC played prominent roles in the 2016 AAM Annual Meeting 

including: Exhibitions & Public Programs Director serving on 

National Programming Committee; sponsoring the Reception 

for Latino, Indigenous Peoples, Asian Pacific American, and 

other diverse professional interest committees; and 

participating in multiple sessions, lunch programs, and 

roundtables.

05/26/2016 - 

05/29/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

LGBTQ

Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

¡Descubra! Meet 

the Science Expert 

(¡Descubra!)

¡Descubra! Meet the Science Expert at Space Day Family, 

National Air and Space Museum Featured Mars HI-SEAS 

scientist Dr. Yajaira Sierra-Sastre and Create-It Hands-On 

Activity: Let’s Land a Rover on Mars. ¡Descubra! pocket 

science notecards on Latino aviation and aerospace 

innovators were also distributed. (Attendance: 41,439)

06/04/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Family Programs Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

Recovering LGBT 

Latinx History, 

NMAI

Co-presented with the Human Rights Campaign. The 

program featured Chicano performer, producer, and activist 

Dan Guerrero and the editors of Queer Brown Voices as well as 

a special response to the massacre at Orlando’s Pulse Night 

Club. Attendance: 80

06/16/2016 Completed Hispanics

LGBTQ Public Programming No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

International 

Society for 

Technology in 

Education (ISTE) 

Digital Outreach, 

Denver, CO 

New Media & Technology Director presented Target sponsored 

digital eProducts at 2016 ISTE Conference as part of partnership 

with Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access (SCLDA) 

to feature SLC digital resources on their new platform, the 

Learning Lab. Spotlighted content included SLC’s Day of the 

Dead collections, including our bilingual interactive teacher 

training toolkit sponsored by Target. SLC’s combined outreach 

efforts with SCLDA ensured maximum outreach online and onsite. Onsite attendance: 16,000. Social Media Outreach Metrics: 

SLC Facebook 8k reached and SLC Twitter 6.5k impressions.

06/26/2016 - 

06/29/2016 Completed Hispanics Conferences w/Professional Organizations Yes Program Diversity

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Provost SLC

Latino Museum 

Studies Program 

(LMSP)

The Review Panel received 90 applications by the April 

deadline. The Review Panel included representatives from 

SLC, NMAI, US Capitol Visitors Center, and two LMSP alumni 

(Lola Ramírez, LMSP ’13, Anacostia Community Museum and 

José Ralat-Reyes, LMSP ’15, National Geographic Society)

From June 27–July 8, 12 fellows (from Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, El 

Salvador, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States) 

participated in the LMSP Seminar. This included tours of AAA, 

NMAH, SAAM, SIE and the United States Capitol and 

conversations with Smithsonian Latino curators and guest 

faculty from the Guggenheim, Pratt Institute, and various 

universities. LMSP alumni were also featured as guest faculty, 

including: Sol Aramendi, LMSP ’12, Independent Artist; 

Melissa Carrillo, LMSP ‘99, Smithsonian Latino Center; Mireya 

Loza, LMSP ‘04, National Museum of American History; 

Orquídia Morales, LMSP ’12, University of Michigan; E. 

Carmen Ramos, LMSP ‘96, Smithsonian American Art 

Museum; and Ranald Woodaman, LMSP ‘04, Smithsonian 

Latino Center

From July 11–August 5, the Fellows participated in practicum 

project at SLC, CFCH, OCIO, AAA, SAAM, NMAH, and 

NMAAHC.

06/27/2016 - 

08/05/2016 Completed Hispanics Capacity Building No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

Young 

Ambassadors 

Program: Alumni 

Conexiones

Fourth Quarter

SLC hosted the YAP Alumni Network-White House Initiative 

for Educational Excellence for Hispanic Intern, working on 

initiatives for both the White House Initiative and the 

Smithsonian Latino Center.

07/01/2016 - 

9/30/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Virtual Programming

Community Outreach Yes Program Diversity

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SLC SLC Digital Summits

7/7: Digital Summit with SLC University partners, University of 

Texas at El Paso and Michigan State University, to brainstorm 

digital components of SLC Gallery featuring robotic docent 

and motion capture.

7/29: Digital Summit with Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology to brainstorm potential digital immersion for the 

Latino Gallery and audience engagement through immersive 

education strategies leveraging alternate reality games and 

playful learning.

07/07/2016

07/29/2016 Completed Hispanics Conferences w/Colleges or Universities

Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

Young 

Ambassadors 

Program (YAP)

SLC conducted a four-week paid advertising campaign to 

promote the application, program website, and the five YAP 

videos on YouTube. Total campaign outreach included four 

Facebook posts that reached 139,297 people and 5,669 post 

engagements and actions; four Twitter campaigns with 2–3 

tweets each that had 184,655 impressions, 1042 post 

engagements, and 658 direct website clicks to YAP webpage; 

four Instagram campaigns with 2–3 posts each reaching 

170,837 people and 3,198 direct website clicks to YAP 

webpage; and four YouTube campaigns promoting (3) YAP 

videos with 140,717 impressions via In-Stream and In-Display 

ads and 7,577 video views. As a result of this campaign SLC 

received over 229 applications were received by April 15 

deadline.

07/19/2016 - 

08/01/2016 Completed

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Leadership Development & 

Regional Community Outreach Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

Young 

Ambassadors 

Program (YAP)

On May 2 the YAP Review Panel met and selected 22 Young 

Ambassadors to participate in the 2016 program. The panel 

included representatives from the NEA, NEH, ASTC, and two YAP 

alumni: Francisco Javier Pérez, YA ’10, Art Institute of Texas and 

Nicole García, YA ’11, University of Maryland Graduate Program in 

Student Affairs.

07/19/2016 - 

08/01/2016 Completed

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Leadership Development & 

Regional Community Outreach Yes Program Diversity

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Young 

Ambassadors 

Program (YAP)

From June 19—25, 19 Young Ambassadors participated in the 

2016 Washington Week where they engaged in conversations, 

hands-on workshops, and worked on their final group project. 

Highlights included: An informal conversation and hands-on with 

artist Manuel Acevedo; a hike and tree-banding exercise with 

Erika González and the ForestGeo team, SCBI; a Hip-Hop remix 

with hip-hop and breakdancing pioneer Ana “Rokafella” García; a 

"What’s Next in STEM" conversation with National Institutes of 

Health scientist Teresa Ramírez, Ph.D. and nanotechnology 

scientist Yajaira Sierra-Sastre, Ph.D.; and Leadership Lightning 

Roundtables with Latino leaders in the arts as well as government 

and non-profit work. YAP alumni were engaged during 

Washington Week: Through session social media posts; a 

Welcome to the YAP Alumni Network session hosted via Google 

Hangout and on-site; as presenters during the Leadership 

Lightning Roundtables. Additionally SLC utilized Facebook Live 

social media and web stream coverage to extend reach of YAP 

during Washington Week. This included an Informal Conversation 

on Contemporary Latino Communities in the Media that reached 

SLC constituents, YAP internship partners and YAP alumni in the 

U.S. and Europe. To date, web stream has reached 5,745 people 

with over 1,300 views. The final group project focused on 

developing an interactive programming proposal for the proposed 

Smithsonian Latino Gallery at the Arts & Industries Building (AIB). 

The 2016 cohort proposed an interactive map and oral history 

interface with access to on-site and online oral history recording 

and social media prompts.

07/19/2016 - 

08/01/2016 Completed

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Leadership Development & 

Regional Community Outreach Yes Program Diversity

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SLC

Young 

Ambassadors 

Program (YAP)

On June 24, SLC hosted the YAP Annual Reception and Dinner 

that included special guests: Secretary David Skorton; Ramón 

Zertuche, Ford Motor Company; Shalimar Alio, Comunicad; 

SNLB Chair Roel Campos; Michelle Delaney, Office of the 

Provost; Joanne Flores, Office of the Provost. YAP Guest 

Speakers included: Former SNLB member Johnny Yataco; 

Latino CBO representatives and over 20 YAP program alumni. 

Attendance: 100

YAP Social Media (Organic) and Online Statistics

• SLC Facebook: 37,000 reached 

• SLC Twitter: 30,500 impressions

• SLC Instagram: 167 likes 

• YAP homepage: 6,287 views 

• YAP program description: 973 downloads 

• YAP Instagram: 129 posts; 2,351 likes 

July: Internship and Alcancemos Summer Reading Days

• Participants completed finished their 4-week internships in 

museums and cultural institutions across the US and Puerto 

Rico.

• Participants also conducted Storytime outreach with local 

YAP alumni in libraries across the US and Puerto Rico to 

promote early childhood literacy.

07/19/2016 - 

08/01/2016 Completed

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Leadership Development & 

Regional Community Outreach Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC

¡Descubra! Meet 

the Science Expert 

(¡Descubra!)

SLC’s ¡Descubra! Meet the Science Expert was featured at 

NASM Udvar-Hazy Center’s We Share STEM Family Day. 08/06/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Family Programs Yes Program Diversity

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Provost SLC

Carmen Lomas 

Garza Ofrenda 

Installation at 

NMAH

On Sept. 12-13, Texas-born artist Carmen Lomas Garza 

installed “An Ofrenda for Antonio Lomas” in the American 

Stories exhibit at NMAH. Ofrenda recalls the life of artist’s 

grandfather. Installation, through April 2017, is a collaboration 

between SLC and NMAH. During the installation, SLC had livemobile broadcasts, interviewing the artist on her art-making. 

They were shared over SLC social media platforms.

09/2016 - 

04/2017 Completed Hispanics Virtual ProgrammingInstallation No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost

SLC CHCI Arts & Culture 

Reception

SLC Director gave opening remarks at the Congressional 

Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Arts & Culture Reception hosted at 

NMAI.

09/13/2016 Completed Hispanics Conferences w/Professional 

Organizations No Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost SLC

¡Descubra! Meet 

the Science Expert 

(¡Descubra!)

9/17 and 9/18: Hispanic Heritage Kick-Off Weekend featuring 

SLC’s ¡Descubra! Meet the Science Expert at NMAH and NZP. On 

September 17 the NMAH hosted the Latinidad Festival ¡Descubra! 

what featured Dr. Yajaira Sierra-Sastre, Nanotechnology 

scientist. On September 18 the NZP hosted Zoo Fiesta that 

featured Dr. Iris Segura-Garcia, scientist with the Smithsonian 

Marine Station at Ft. Pierce; Dr. Jesus Maldonado, research 

geneticist with the Center for Conservation Genomics, SCBI; Dr. 

Natalia Prado-Oviedo, Post-doctoral fellow, SCBI; Dr. Susette 

Castañeda, Center for Conservation Genomics, SCBI; and Laura 

Diederick, Education Specialist, Smithsonian Marine Station at Ft. 

Pierce. This family day was produced in collaboration with the US 

Patent and Trademark Office (at NMAH and NZP) and 

Latinos@NOAA (at NZP). Total Attendance for was 18,164 

visitors (NMAH and NZP combined). Family Days Featuring 

¡Descubra! Meet the Science Expert Social Media reached a total 

of 43,826 people through: Facebook - 33,005; Facebook Live - 8 

broadcasts, 2,307 total views; and Twitter - 10,821 impressions.

09/17/2016 - 

09/18/2016 Completed

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Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Family Programs Yes Program Diversity

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Provost STRI Comarca Ngabe Bugle Workshop

Professional development workshop for indigenous teachers 

of Comarca Ngabe Bugle FY 2016 Completed Hispanics Teacher Workshop Yes Program Diversity

USMR/

Provost STRI

The International 

Community 

Foundation: 

Teacher Training 

Program at Galeta. 

The project aims to strengthen the teaching of natural 

sciences and environmental education in the elementary and 

secondary schools in Panama. For two weeks 40 teachers 

from all the provinces and Comarcas in the country learn from 

STRI scientists how to do science, in the class room and in the 

field. This is a joint project STRI - Ministry of Education of the 

Republic of Panama. 

FY 2016 In-Progress Hispanics Teacher Training Program Yes Program Diversity

ASA ASA Recruiting Outreach

Recruited candidates through a network of organizations in 

our efforts to expand our minority, women and persons with 

disabilities applicant pool.

10/1/2015 - 

9/30/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Digital Promotion of Job 

Opportunities No Workforce Diversity

ASA ASA Internship Program Hosted 10 interns during FY16 (80% women). 10/1/2015-

9/30/2016 In-Progress Women Career CounselingInternships No Workforce Diversity

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ASA ASA People, Purpose, 

Passion 

Smithsonian Campaign regional outreach program that 

showcases different Smithsonian experts in cities across the 

country in order to build relationships with current donors and 

other supporters and to reach out to new audiences and new 

potential donors. The program features speakers from diverse 

backgrounds who speak about how the Smithsonian has 

impacted their life. Eight of the speakers in FY16 were from 

historically underrepresented groups. 

10/1/2015-

9/30/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Smithsonian Campaign 

Outreach No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

ASA ASA Campaign Website

The Campaign website features stories about donors of 

diverse backgrounds who are involved with the Smithsonian 

and the Smithsonian Campaign. In FY16, five stories featured 

on the website highlighted involvement with individuals from 

historically underrepresented backgrounds.

10/1/2015-

9/30/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Women

Smithsonian Campaign 

Outreach No Program Diversity

ASA ASA Campaign 

Newsletter

The Campaign Newsletter features information about current 

happenings at the Smithsonian as well as stories highlighting 

donors of diverse backgrounds who are involved with the 

Smithsonian and the Smithsonian Campaign. In FY16, six 

stories featured on the website highlighted involvement with 

individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

10/1/2015-

9/30/2016 Please choose one:

African Americans

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Smithsonian Campaign 

Outreach No Program Diversity

ASA ASA Annual Report

The Annual Report features data from the prior fiscal year at 

the Smithsonian as well as stories of interest about 

Smithsonian happenings, donors, people of interest and other 

topics. The FY15 annual report (which is published in FY16), 

featured seven stories which highlighted involvement with 

individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

10/1/2015-

9/30/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Smithsonian Campaign 

Outreach No Program Diversity

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ASA ASA Donor Proposals

The Campaign team of the Office of Advancement assisted 

with six donor proposals to fund projects that highlight 

historically underrepresented groups. 

10/1/2015-

9/30/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Smithsonian Campaign 

Outreach No Program Diversity

ASA ASA Other Campaign 

Outreach

The Campaign team of the Office of Advancement assisted 

with various other projects that focused on promoting the 

involvement of historically underrepresented groups at the 

Smithsonian. These projects include the Nation to Nation 

report, NMAI planned giving postcard design, Native 

Knowledge brochure, Ways To Give brochure, Year-End 

Appeal and 25 stories featured in monthly E-News.

10/1/2015-

9/30/2016 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Smithsonian Campaign 

Outreach No Program Diversity

ASA ASA

Supplier Diversity 

Liaison Meeting 

Host

The Office of Advancement hosted the April 2016 Supplier 

Diversity Liaison Meeting. April 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Supplier Diversity No Supplier Diversity

ASCEA OVS

Volunteer 

Recruitment 

Initiatives

Proactively recruit a more diverse pool of volunteers for the 

Smithsonian public facing volunteer programs managed by 

OVS.

10/01/2015 - 

09/30/2016 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Non-Americans e.g. Russian, German, 

Italian

Career Fairs

Informational meetings with 

local churches, women groups 

and community based 

organizations.

No Workforce Diversity

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ASEA ASEA Youth Access 

Grants Program Youth Access Grants Program FY 2016 Planned

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Grants for diversity No Workforce diversity 

Program Diversity

ASEA SA Affiliations 

Internship

Smithsonian Affiliations is hosting an Asian American college 

student (former high school participant in the Young 

Historians Living Histories) program.

FY 2016 Completed Asian Americans Internship No Program Diversity 

Workforce DIversity

ASEA SA

Career 

Development for 

Smithsonian 

Affiliations staff

All Smithsonian Affiliations staff are given opportunities to 

enroll in Smithsonian training programs, outside training 

programs, and attend conferences related to the museum 

field or their particular skill sets. 

FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Staff Development No Program Diversity 

Workforce DIversity

ASEA SA

Visiting 

Professional 

Program

opportunities are created for Smithsonian Affiliate staff to 

come to the Smithsonian for two-week residences in order to 

enhance and expand their job skills. This year 8 of the Visiting 

Professionals were women and 1 Native American. A small 

stipend is provided to each.

FY 2016 Planned

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Outreach No Program Diversity 

Workforce DIversity

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ASEA SCLDA All Access Digital 

Arts Camp

Designed for teens in the Washington, D.C. metro area with 

various cognitive and intellectual disabilities. The camp is 

centered on museum learning, technology, and social skills. 

Through in-person and online activities, All Access explored 

interest-driven learning and skill acquisition in digital 

photography, collage-making, and digital song creation. 15 

students, ages 14-22, gained skills that they can sustain after 

the camp.

08/15/2016 - 

08/20/2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Individuals with Disabilities

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Digital Arts Camp No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES

Museum on Main 

Street capacity 

building training 

workshops

The Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program is SITES' key 

initiative that directly engages small town audiences and 

brings revitalized attention to underserved rural communities 

through their own Main Street museums, historical societies, 

and other cultural venues. Professional development 

workshops for host venues were held in 16 states in FY16, 

providing program and installation tools and training for 

hosting a traveling exhibition and developing communitybased displays and programs. 

Throughout 

FY16 In-Progress Residents of Under-resourced Communities Professional training No Program DiversityWorkforce Diversity

ASEA SITES

I Want the Wide 

American Earth: An 

Asian Pacific 

American Story

An award-winning educational poster set provides teachers 

with fresh resources for celebrating Asian Pacific American 

history across this multitude of incredibly diverse cultures, and 

ways to explore how Asian Pacific Americans have shaped and 

been shaped by the course of our nation’s history. Produced 

by SITES, distributed at no cost to schools, museums, and 

small libraries. Two copies of the exhibition will visit 26 cities. 

05/01/2013 - 

08/27/2017 In-Progress

Asian Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Poster Exhibit No Program Diversity

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ASEA SITES The Way We 

Worked

A fresh approach to how and why Americans work -- whether 

in offices, factories, farms, schools, homes, on the road, rails, 

or sky, in the military -- through photographs and first-hand 

stories. A Museum on Main Street project that provides rural 

communities with tools and training to utilize local resources 

for complementary programming and outreach.

September 

2011- 

November 2018

In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Women

Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES Water/Ways

A humanities-based examination of water and what it means 

to communities across the nation. Conceived as the next 

Museum on Main Street project, with resources and tools for 

rural and under-resourced communities to collect and share 

stories and to create their unique complementary exhibits. 

05/2016 - 

06/2022 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Women

Traveling Exhibitions Yes Program Diversity

ASEA SITES Recruiting

SITES works with OHR’s Diversity & Inclusion Outreach 

Specialist to announce vacancies far beyond USAJOBS to 

ensure we reach diverse communities. SITES also notifies 

professional organizations related to museums and specific 

professional specializations as they apply to open positions. 

We also announce job openings through many common social 

media outlets and listserves 

Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Women

Digital Promotion of Job 

Opportunities No Workforce Diversity

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ASEA SITES

Beyond Baseball: 

The Life of Roberto 

Clemente

Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente is an online 

exhibition based on one originally on view at San Juan's Museo 

de Arte de Puerto Rico and crafted in close concert with the 

Clemente family. The website, a collaboration among the 

Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, Museo 

de Arte de Puerto Rico, and CARIMAR, captures the original's 

uniquely Puerto Rican perspective for an American audience. 

Ongoing In-Progress Hispanics Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES

Hometown Teams: 

How Sports Shape 

America

Sports are an indelible part of our culture and community. 

Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America shows how 

sports reflect the trials and triumphs of the American 

experience and help mold our national character. Host 

communities utilize SITES' tools, resources, and professional 

training to develop complementary exhibits that highlight 

their own local histories and stories. 

March 2014 - 

April 2020 In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Women

Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES

Bittersweet 

Harvest: The 

Bracero Program 

1942- 1964

Award-winning bi-lingual posters from SITES convey the littleknown story of the Bracero Program, the largest guest worker 

program in U.S. history. Between 1942 and 1964, millions of 

Mexican men came to the U.S. on short-term labor contracts. 

Distributed at no cost to schools, migrant education centers, 

museums, and small libraries. Bi-lingual traveling exhibit to 37 

venues through 2015.

02/20/2010 - 

11/12/2017 In-Progress

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Poster Exhibit No Program Diversity

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ASEA SITES Stories from Main 

Street

A digital initiative to collect and share stories from small-town 

and rural America. Developed by the Museum on Main Street 

program to encourage capacity-building at the local level and 

to provide resources for community outreach.

Fall 2011 - 

Ongoing In-Progress

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities Virtual Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES Choosing to 

Participate

Graphically compelling, award-winning poster exhibit, created 

primarily for middle and high schools, is designed to 

encourage dialogue, engagement, respect, and participation 

in our communities. Many schools use it for anti-bullying 

programs. Distributed at no cost to schools, Boys & Girls 

Clubs, libraries, community centers.

Fall 2010 - 

Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Women

Poster Exhibit No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES

Roots of Wisdom: 

Native Knowledge, 

Shared Science

A new exhibition developed with the Oregon Museum of 

Science & Industry designed to engage families and students 

in the concept that western science and Native American 

traditional knowledge about the environment are both 

valuable and complementary for understanding the natural 

world.

Begins 

February 2017 In-Progress

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES

Women, Art, and 

Social Change: The 

Newcomb Pottery 

Enterprise

One of the most significant American art potteries of the 

twentieth century, Newcomb works are a graceful union of 

form and decoration inspired by the flora and fauna of the Gulf 

South. The Pottery was established to teach Southern women 

self-reliance by way of an education and gain financial 

independence through the sale of their wares. The exhibition 

will visit 9 museums across the U.S. and in Canada.

10/3/2013 - 

10/23/2016 In-Progress Women Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

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Black Wings: 

American Dreams 

of Flight

A steady stream of African American pioneers—daredevils and 

visionaries—surpassed racial barriers to claim a legitimate 

place in the realm of aviation. Their achievements—together 

with the necessities of war and the dawning of civil rights in 

America—opened up new possibilities for succeeding 

generations of pilots and astronauts. SITES exhibit will visit 15 

venues across the U.S. 

07/2/2011 - 

01/17/2016 Completed African Americans Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES

Beyond Bollywood: 

Indian Americans 

Shape the Nation

Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific 

American Center, a new exhibition explores the Indian 

American experience and the community's vital political, 

professional, and cultural contributions to American life and 

history. 

05/02/2015 - 

01/06/2019 In-Progress Asian Americans Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES

Beginning and 

Advanced 

Exhibition 

Development

SITES project director led two full-day seminars for the Tribal 

Archives Libraries and Museums Project run by the Univ. of 

Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Studies - 

 Continuing Education Services. This is part of the Great Lakes 

Convening Culture Keepers conference geared to networking 

and professional development opportunities for American 

Indian communities of the Upper Great Lakes. 

 04/15/2016 - 

04/19/2016 Completed Native Americans Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES Congressional Black 

Caucus

SITES staff networked and shared information about SITES' 

extensive offerings in African American art history and culture. 01/24/2016 Completed African Americans Conferences w/Colleges or Universities No Workforce Diversity

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ASEA SITES One Nation with 

News for All

Preliminary investigation for a proposed traveling exhibition 

based on the Newseum's project of the same name that tells 

the dramatic story of how immigrants and minorities used the 

power of the press to fight for their rights and shape the 

American experience. 

TBD Planned

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES

IndiVisible: AfricanNative American 

Lives in the 

Americas

IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas FY 2016 Completed Native Americans 

African Americans Traveling Exhibitions No Program Diversity

ASEA SITES Journey Stories Journey Stories FY 2016 Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Women

Traveling Exhibitions No program diversity

ASEA SITES

Bilingual Exhibit 

Scripts and 

Resources

Bilingual Exhibit Scripts and Resources FY 2016 Completed Hispanics Program Outreach No Program Diversity

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A Place for All 

People: Introducing 

the National 

Museum of African 

American History 

and Culture

Produced in collaboration with the National Museum of 

African American History and Culture, this new exhibition of 

20 posters explores African American history, culture, and 

community and will include programming and educational 

resources for host venues. Available as printed posters and 

digital files to print yourself. 

August 2016- 

Ongoing In-Progress

African Americans

Women Poster Exhibition No Program Diversity

ASEA SSEC

Colorado LASER 

Initiative: 2015 

Condensed Unit 

Training 

Fifteen kindergarten through 8th grade teachers from 3 

schools gathered together to take part in the Colorado 

Condensed Unit Training (CUT) – a four hour version of the 

summer professional development (PD) – to give a basic 

introduction to the STC unit at their grade level. These 

teachers, for a number of reasons, were unable to attend the 

full training over the summer. While not nearly as deep as the 

full summer PD training, this CUT fills the gap so they can still 

teach the relevant STC unit.

10/03/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Professional Development for 

Teachers Yes Program Diversity

ASEA SSEC

2015 NGSS 

Condensed Unit 

Training in 

Johnston County, 

NC

Ten kindergarten through 6th grade teachers from 2 schools 

gathered together to take part in the NGSS Condensed Unit 

Training (CUT) – a professional development workshop with 

focus on introducing teachers to the Next Generation Science 

Standards and their practices.

10/23/2015 In-progress

African Americans

Hispanics

Asian Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Teacher Professional 

Development Yes Program Diversity

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2016 Biodiversity 

Smithsonian 

Science Education 

Academy for 

Teachers

Nineteen teachers traveled to the nation’s capital to 

participate in a week of presentations and hands-on activities 

hosted by the Smithsonian Science Education Center designed 

to enrich each educator’s content knowledge on the concept 

of biodiversity. Activities took place primarily at the National 

Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian 

Environmental Research Center. Along with content 

knowledge, teachers were provided with resources to enable 

them to implement new activities in their classrooms, address 

student misconceptions, and connect with other educators 

and the materials they have created.

06/19/2016 - 

06/24/2016 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Teacher Professional 

Development Yes

Program Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Supplier Diversity

ASEA SSEC

2016 Energy’s 

Innovations and 

Implications 

Smithsonian 

Science Education 

Academy for 

Teachers

Eighteen teachers traveled to the nation’s capital to 

participate in a week of presentations and hands-on activities 

hosted by the Smithsonian Science Education Center designed 

to enrich each educator’s content knowledge on the concept 

of energy. Activities took place primarily at the National 

Museum of American History with additional trips to the 

National Air and Space Museum, the National Institute on 

Standards and Technology (NIST), and Dominion Resources’ 

Possum Point Power Station. Along with content knowledge, 

teachers were provided with resources to enable them to 

implement new activities in their classrooms, address student 

misconceptions, and connect with other educators and the 

materials they have created.

07/10/2016 -

07/15/2016 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Professional Development Yes Program Diversity

Supplier Diversity

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2016 Earth History 

and Global Change 

Smithsonian 

Science Education 

Academy for 

Teachers

Twenty-one K-12 teachers from seven states took part in the 

workshop, engaging first-hand with leading experts and 

researchers at the National Museum of Natural History 

(NMNH). The week also featured visits to the National Air and 

Space Museum (NASM), the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Headquarters and an 

afternoon at the Carnegie Institute of Washington. 

Throughout the week, participants broadened and deepened 

their understanding of concepts related to the Earth, both as a 

home for life and as part of a greater cosmic system, as well as 

learning new ways to think about and teach familiar concepts 

with the help of experts and fellow educators.

07/17/2016 - 

07/22/2016 Completed

African Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Professional Development Yes Program Diversity

Supplier Diversity

ASEA SSEC

2016 LASER 

Intermediate 

Professional 

Development in 

Colorado

Fifty-six K-8th grade teachers from 10 schools gathered 

together to take part in the Colorado LASER Intermediate 

Professional Development. The two and one–half day 

workshop focused on extending content knowledge in Earth 

Science topics such as Plate Tectonics, Weather and Climate, 

Space, Rocks and Minerals, Soils, Land and Water, and 

Ecosystems. . Programming included rich content experiences 

for adult learners, an opportunity to delve into using models in 

the classroom, and tools to continue discussions on 

argumentation and revealing student misconceptions. 

08/01/2016 - 

08/03/2016 Completed

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Professional Development Yes Program Diversity

Supplier Diversity

ASEA TSA Urban Artistry FY 2016 Completed African Americans Outreach No Program Diversity

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ASEA TSA Fábulas Fairy Tales

Start with three bears, three pigs, and three billy goats gruff. 

Add two languages, and what do you get? The perfect 

combination for a fresh and fun introduction to Spanish,

literacy through storytelling, math, music and more —and a 

fábulas new take on a trio of familiar stories in this interactive 

Discovery Theater original. Children will find our “found” 

costumes, puppets, and set pieces crafted from recycled 

materials pretty fabulous, too.

10/02/2015

10/14/2015 - 

10/16/2015

Completed

African Americans

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Individuals with Disabilities

Native Americans

Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders

Residents of Under-Resourced 

Communities

Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA

Tot Rock: Ben 

Rudnick & Friends: 

Blast off for fun

Start the countdown! Fun, facts, and fantasy—and the most 

impressive museum setting ever—are all part of a rockin’ 

morning of music. Launch into outer space through the 

snappy songs of Ben Rudnick and Friends, who boast seven 

Parents’ Choice Awards for their infectiously delightful 

recordings. It’s the perfect way to begin a day of exploration at 

the National Air and Space Museum.

10/08/2015 - 

10/09/2015 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA

Smithsonian 

Scholars in the 

Schools

As part of the Department of Education's Gaining Early 

Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR 

UP) grant, five Smithsonian presenters visited six Lafayette, 

LA middle schools to conduct in-class presentations and 

hands-on activities that reached a total of 1,000 7th graders. 

All presentations focused on “Living Organisms and Life 

Cycles.”

10/28/2015 - 

10/30/2015 Completed

African Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

In-person Educational 

Programming Yes Program Diversity

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Justice Thurgood 

Marshall: A 

Nomination for 

Change

Over the course of his legendary 40-year career, Thurgood 

Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, 

brought down the separate-but-equal doctrine, integrated 

schools, and fought for human rights and human dignity. Perhaps 

more than any other justice in recent history, he used the system 

to fundamentally change America. In his new book, Showdown: 

Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That 

Changed America (Knopf), journalist Wil Haygood probes 

Marshall's life on a personal level, recounts the dramatic five-daylong Senate hearing to confirm Marshall's Supreme Court 

nomination, and delves into the most important legal cases of 

Marshall's career. He discusses the politicians, lawyers, civil rights 

activists, and others whose lives were intertwined with Marshall's, 

including President Lyndon Johnson, Congressman Adam Clayton 

Powell (whose scandals almost cost Marshall the Supreme Court 

judgeship), and Harry and Harriette Moore, the Florida NAACP 

workers who died at the hands of the KKK. Learn more about one 

of the giants of the civil rights movement, and one of the most 

transformative Supreme Court justices of the 20th century. 

Haygood is the Karl and Helen Wiepking visiting distinguished 

professor in the school of journalism, media, and film at Miami 

University, Ohio. For nearly three decades he was a journalist, 

serving as a national and foreign correspondent at the Boston 

Globe, where he was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and then at the 

Washington Post , where his story about long-time White House 

employee Eugene Allen became the basis for the film The Butler , 

directed by Lee Daniels.

11/04/2015 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

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Outside the Box: 

Beatboxing with 

Mr. Max

Rhythm and cool! Mr. Max takes us with him as he takes the 

mike to make some crazy- good mouth music. This 

astounding human beatbox introduces kids to the most 

powerful musical instrument ever: their own bodies. With lots 

of audience participation and exciting on-the-spot 

improvisations, Max covers themes in hip-hop culture, 

language, math, and music. Get ready to make some truly hip 

beats!

11/06/2015 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Magnet School – 

STEM

As part of a Dept. of Ed Magnet School Assistance grant, 

Smithsonian educators led a STEM-focused professional 

development workshop for preK-6th grade teachers in 

Lansing, Michigan. Topics included inquiry-based learning, 

sound, surface tension, solar system, gravity, friction, electric 

circuits, principles of flight, and engineering strategies, as well 

as an introduction to video game design and robotics.

11/11/2016 - 

11/13/2015 Completed Residents of Under-resourced Communities Professional Development Yes Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Smithsonian Week 

in Riverside "Insects" Smithsonian Week in Riverside "Insects" FY 2016 Completed

Asian Americans

Hispanics

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

Educational Programming yes Program

ASEA TSA The Native Pride 

Dancers

World-champion fancy dancer Larry Yazzie and his troupe, 

drawn from many Indian nations, share the excitement of a 

Native American powwow with full tribal regalia in their 

Smithsonian return engagement. These vibrant dances 

celebrate nature, ancestors, and the tribal community with 

pulsating drum, intricate footwork, and evocative flute and 

voice.

11/13/2015 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

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Sister Rain and 

Brother Sun with 

Catskill Puppet 

Theater

When glistening Sister Rain becomes jealous of shining 

Brother Sun and stops watering the Earth, wise Mother Nature 

must step in to save the day—and she needs your help! This 

interactive musical nature tale from the award-winning 

Catskill Puppet Theatre is told with large, beautifully crafted 

rod puppets (Brother Sun is a sizzling seven feet in diameter) 

and colorful sets and costumes. Young audiences have fun as 

they discover that we all must work together to help our Earth 

thrive.

11/23/2015 - 

11/24/2015

11/27/2015

Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Seasons of Light

Joy, warmth, and community illuminate seasonal holiday 

celebrations the world over. Back for its 17th season, this 

signature Discovery Theater show celebrates the history and 

customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, 

Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the First Nations’ 

tradition of the Winter Solstice in an interactive event that 

bridges communities and cultures. This show sells out early, so 

get your tickets now!

11/30/2015 - 

12/18/2015 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA

Tot Rock: 

Rocknoceros 

Holiday Sing-along

Who’s having a holiday party? Coach, Williebob, and Boogie 

Bennie, that’s who! The area’s favorite kid-rock band has a 

great big musical present for you. Join them as they lead 

audiences in seasonal songs and Rockno classics. It’s a bash 

you just can’t miss

12/17/2015

12/18/2015 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

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Planet Hopping 

with Lunch Money 

& Belle et Bete 

Puppets

Puppetry duo Belle et Bête and kindie rock powerhouse Lunch 

Money are your intergalactic guides for a one-of-a-kind 

adventure in space science. Original music, puppets, and 

elaborate video projections featuring real NASA footage help 

tell the tale of a young pilot and her robot sidekick as they 

travel the solar system. Soar among the stars as you explore 

the mysteries of the planets and the importance of friendship 

and family. Planet Hopping was originally produced in 

the HT@MTC Performance Incubator at Midlands Technical 

College with help from the South Carolina Arts Commission, 

which receives support from the National Endowment for the 

Arts.

01/14/2016 - 

01/15/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Succotash Tales 

with Diane Macklin

With her captivating voice and dancing hands, master 

storyteller Diane Macklin draws inspiration from the heritage 

of West African storytelling. From trickster tales to fables of 

friendship, her delightful performances celebrate the richness 

of traditions and folklore.

01/27/2016

01/28/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA

Smithsonian 

Scholars in the 

Schools

As part of the Department of Education's Gaining Early 

Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR 

UP) grant, five Smithsonian presenters visited six Lafayette, 

LA middle schools to conduct in-class presentations and 

hands-on activities that reached over 1,000 8th graders. All 

presentations focused on “Impact Craters on the Earth and 

Planets.”

01/27/2016 - 

01/29/2016 Completed

African Americans

Residents of Under-resourced 

Communities

In-person Educational 

Programming

Yes Program Diversity

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ASEA TSA Going the Distance

Race to the finish line with two inspiring African American 

athletes who changed sports history in Discovery Theater’s 

original Olympian musical play. Cheer along as Jesse Owens 

and Wilma Rudolph overcome childhood illness, infirmity, and 

poverty to become the world’s fastest man and woman, 

winning the greatest honor in athletics, the Olympic gold 

medal. Soaring anthems and lively songs speak to the heart 

and soul of the winner in all of us!

02/02/2016 - 

02/05/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Soul in Motion

Washington’s own explosive company shares the richness of 

African American culture by dancing the heritage of the 

African homelands. In a spectacular performance that blends 

chest-pounding drumming and foot-stomping leaps and 

steps, these performers create an infectious joy that captures 

hearts and sprits.

02/10/2016

02/11/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programs No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA The Uncle Devin 

Show

Are you ready to make some noise? Everybody’s favorite 

musical uncle returns and invites young audiences to hear 

and play a world of percussion instruments in this show. 

Through all the bang-up interactive fun, kids also learn why 

percussion is the easiest, oldest, and most diverse form of 

musical creativity.

02/18/2016

02/19/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

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ASEA TSA Callaloo: A Jazz 

Folktale

Join us as we celebrate Music in Our Schools Month! Young 

Winston, our captivating puppet host, cooks up a yummy 

Caribbean stew of music and island folklore when he’s 

magically whisked from Brooklyn to Trinidad and Tobago as 

he shops for the ingredients of his aunt’s callaloo dinner. His 

companions on the journey include the Pan Lara Steel

Band, who introduce the country’s distinctive steel pan 

music, and his friend Marjuan Canady, who wrote the 

delightful book on which the show is based. Come along on 

this adventure, and don’t worry—you’ll get home in plenty of 

time for dinner!

03/04/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Tot Rock: Josh & 

the Jamtones

This Boston-based trio serves up a full-of-fun show that’s jampacked with energy. You’re guaranteed to be dancing and 

singing along as they blend roots/reggae/ska stylings, feelgood pop, folk punk, country ballads, New Orleans-style 

street music, and family-friendly improv comedy into a 

sensational ball of kids’-music awesomeness!

03/10/2016

03/11/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA

Flying Feet & Fiddle 

Bows: An Irish 

Celebration

Leap into the St. Paddy’s Day spirit as the acclaimed Shannon 

Dunne and jolly Pete Moss and the talented young musicians 

of the Bog Band throw an authentic Irish ceili party. Learn 

about Irish musical traditions and experience the floorpounding beat of both sean-nós and set dancing. Join in the 

high-stepping, rollicking fun!

03/17/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

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ASEA TSA Magnet School – 

STEM

As part of a Dept. of Ed Magnet School Assistance grant, 

Smithsonian educators led a STEM-focused professional 

development workshop for preK-6th grade teachers in 

Lansing, Michigan. Topics included the science of teaching 

science, light and shadows, biodiversity, and digital tools. 

Next Generation Science Standards were explored and how to 

apply them to the Michigan statewide science curriculum.

04/20/2016 - 

04/22/2016 Completed Residents of Under-resourced Communities Professional Development Yes Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Mother Earth and 

Me

The magic of earth science takes center stage in this fun, 

interactive Discovery Theater original as we explore the origins 

of our planet, the water cycle, and our important role in the 

ecosystem, as well as folklore about the “big blue marble” we 

call home. Kick off Earth Month by pledging to become an 

Earth Warrior—and find out some great ways to start right 

away!

04/06/2016 - 

04/08/2016

04/12/2016 - 

04/15/2016

Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA

Garbage to 

Gardens: An Earth 

Week Exploration

Mother Nature loves garbage, and uses ours to make new 

earth. Meet Smithsonian naturalists from the Green Team in 

the beautiful Haupt Garden of the Castle for a welcome 

session. Then get the inside scoop on how compost becomes 

dirt and find out how throwing a “seed bomb” can make a bare 

patch of ground bloom. Plenty of great hands-on activities 

make this the perfect way to celebrate our planet.

04/19/2016

04/21/2016

04/22/2016

Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Bio, Bio, 

Biodiversity

Billy B. is the original rock-star science educator. Join him as 

he rocks the earth through song and dance to investigate the 

beauty, abundance, and complexity of the biodiversity that 

surrounds us—and how we can nurture it. As he looks at 

flowers, coral reefs, old-growth forests, and our planet’s soil, 

this high-energy interactive show also mixes audience 

participation and comedy to underscore some vital concepts in 

science for budding environmentalists.

04/20/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

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ASEA TSA Tigers, Dragons and 

Other Wise 'Tails'

Last season’s all-star cast returns in this delightful Discovery 

Theater original hit, in which four freshly imagined folk tales 

reveal nuggets of traditional Asian wisdom. The Tiger, the 

Thief, and the Dried Persimmon (Korea) features a trickster 

tiger whose antics recall the teachings of Anansi. The natural 

innocence of childhood outwits the villain in The Boy and the 

Fly (Vietnam). In The Wise Mole (Japan) true love takes 

charge, complete with cell phones and iPods. The sumptuous 

and mythic creation story The Four Dragon Rivers of China 

features beautiful flying dragon puppets. 

05/10/2016 - 

05/13/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA

Tot Rock: Jammin' 

at the Smithsonian 

presents The Pop 

Ups

You’ll go crazy for a California musical duo who mix puppets, 

flashy dances, huge collages, a talking banana, drawing, 

surprise costume changes, and giant beach balls into their act. 

The Grammy-nominated Jason Rabinowitz and Jacob Stein 

zoom in from Brooklyn with plenty of great songs, including 

several from their latest CD, Appetite for Construction. Don’t 

miss the final Tot Rock concert of the season!

05/19/2016 - 

05/20/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

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ASEA TSA Anansi Tales with 

Barefoot Puppets

Can a spider defeat an elephant at tug-of-war? Overpower a 

python? Capture a cloud of hornets? With Anansi the Spider, 

world famous trickster, all things are possible...if you only have 

a plan! This puppet performance will present contemporary 

adaptations of two traditional folktales from West Africa. 

Performed on a large, twelve-foot stage with colorful scenery, 

original music, and amazing scene changes. It’s a high-energy 

show with lots of laughs! The two stories, from the Ashanti 

and Beluba peoples, feature the trickster character Anansi the 

spider. Anansi stories have spread throughout Africa and are 

told by many different groups of people as part of their rich 

oral tradition. In the first story, Tug-of-War, Anansi defeats 

both a hippopotamus and an elephant in a battle of Tug-ofWar...or is it a battle of wits? The second, A Story, A Story, 

retells the mythic origin of the West African oral tradition of 

storytelling. In this tale, Anansi must complete a series of 

seemingly impossible tasks in order to win a box of stories 

from the powerful Sky-God. Once again, Anansi uses his quick 

wits to devise a series of clever plans that enable him to 

capture Namibi the python, Osebo the leopard, and a nest of 

angry hornets, forcing the Sky-god to relinquish his coveted 

box of stories. Anansi then shares the stories with people all 

over the world!

06/02/2016 - 

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ASEA TSA

The Language of 

African Art 4-

Sessions

The rich variations found in African art are derived from the 

extraordinarily diverse cultural backgrounds of the continent’s 

artists. Art and architectural historian Kevin Tervala introduces 

participants to fundamental concepts that enhance the 

understanding of the complex subject. He offers an 

introduction to Africa's art through a close look at regional, 

cultural, and topographic diversity; a discussion of objects’ 

functions and contexts; an exploration of African aesthetics; 

and an examination of various periods including historic, 

modern, and contemporary. These themes are illustrated with 

a rich sampling of forms and materials including sculpture, 

masks, textiles, furniture, pottery, and paintings.

June 6 West African Art: Nigeria - A discussion of art making 

from 200 A.D. to today, emphasizing Yoruba and Igbo 

expressions. 

June 13 Central African Art: Democratic Republic of Congo - A 

look at Kongo and Kuba art histories; the exchanges between 

these kingdoms in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

June 20 Southern African Art: South Africa -South African art 

between 1970 and 2000, focusing on anti-apartheid activism. 

June 27 Eastern African Art: Ethiopia - A study of Coptic 

Christian art and Ethiopian modernism.

06/06/2016 - 

06/27/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 182 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

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SI

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Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

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Underrepresented

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ASEA TSA Rainforest Alive!

Discover the dynamic world of tropical rainforests while you meet 

beautiful jungle animals. Live animals from each layer of the 

forest will be featured along with stories of survival in this 

fascinating and endangered environment. Featured animals may 

include an iguana, boa constrictor, turtle and other rainforest 

creatures.

 Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse terrestrial 

ecosystems on our planet. More species of trees, plants, insects, 

reptiles, birds and other animals are found in tropical rainforests 

than any other place except, perhaps, tropical coral reefs. In this 

program, you will meet a variety of animals that live in tropical 

rainforests and learn how each animal is adapted to this habitat. 

We will also discover how the rainforest is divided into layers and 

learn how animals survive in these different layers. We will learn 

why tropical rainforests are important for animals and for all of us.

06/29/2016 - 

07/01/2016 Completed African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Taratibu Youth 

Association

The Taratibu Youth Association (TYA) is a sensational 

ensemble of young artists representing the performing arts of 

the African diaspora. With eclectic and diverse musical 

influences, TYA performs percussive dance styles from 

stepping to traditional South African Gumboot. They also 

perform modern dance and hip hop. TYA sings in Zulu and 

Sotho from South Africa, Kiswahili from Tanzania, Creole from 

Haiti, and Yoruba from Cuba. Their performances are 

educational and inspirational; telling stories of empowerment 

and cultural history from several different countries. You may 

learn a song in Zulu, steps from Taratibu; a Pan African drill or 

learn the history of ‘Ti Zwezo,’ the traditional song of Haiti.

07/06/2016 - 

07/08/2016 In-progress African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 183 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016
Direct

Report

SI

Unit

Initiative

Title Description of Initiative Date 

Range

Initiative

Status

Underrepresented

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STEM 

Initiative

Diversity

Category

ASEA TSA The Magic of 

Science

Educating entertainer Robert Pirtle is ready to show you the ‘magic of 

science!’ He’ll use chemistry, mathematics, optical illusions and more 

to reveal the magical essence behind the science you’ve learned in the 

classroom. Everyone, both in the audience and on stage, will become 

a magician! Everything done will look and act like a real magic trick -- 

the real trick being that it’s actually science at work. Come with us on 

a journey of exploration into the science behind the magic! In ancient 

times, magicians wielded tremendous power in society. Of course 

today we realize that the mysterious world of magic is truly the 

fascinating world of science. All magic is comprised of illusions and 

the majority of illusions are based on scientific principles. Science, 

studies in chemistry, light, magnetism, optical illusions, physics, and 

mathematics are all demonstrated in an energetic performance 

perfect for children. If that wasn't cool enough...maybe they’ll even 

tell you how to do the trick at home!

07/12/2016 - 

07/15/2016 Planned African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

ASEA TSA Duke Ellington: 

Beyond Category 

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Edward Kennedy “Duke” 

Ellington (1899–1974) was one of America’s most brilliant jazz 

composers. He was also an accomplished pianist and bandleader 

whose works crossed into genres including blues, gospel and sacred 

music, pop, classical, and film scores. His songs, which include such 

huge hits as “Mood Indigo,” “Sophisticated Lady,” and “Satin Doll,” 

were recorded both by his outstanding band and virtually every major 

musician and singer of his day. It’s only fitting that the Duke Ellington 

Collection, one of the few major music archives in the world devoted 

to a single artist, is housed in his native city at the Smithsonian’s 

American History Museum. In a lively evening of music, discussion, 

and multimedia presentations, saxophonist Loren Schoenberg, 

founding director and senior scholar of the National Jazz Museum in 

Harlem, draws on material from the archives to present an overview of 

Ellington’s career, from his early days as a commercial artist who 

played piano for gigs at night to his later years, on which he remarked, 

“Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn’t want me to be famous too 

young.” The program concludes with a performance of some of 

Ellington’s best-loved works by Schoenberg on sax accompanied by 

the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra Trio.

07/21/2016 Planned African Americans Public Programming No Program Diversity

Prepared by the Office of Equal Employment and Minority Affairs 184 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report - FY 2016