The future National Museum of African American History and Culture announced Tuesday it had received a $5 million gift from the Walmart company.
The gift will go into the construction fund of the museum, which is expected to break ground in 2012 and open to the public in 2015. The cost of the museum is estimated at $500 million, with half the support coming from the public and the remainder appropriated by Congress.
In addition to fund-raising, the National Museum of African American Culture and History has been collecting memorabilia, such as the neon "Soul Train" sign from the popular television dance show.
(Courtesy of the National Museum of African American History and Culture)
The official announcement was made by Sharon Orlopp, Walmart’s global chief diversity office, and Lonnie G. Bunch III, the museum’s founding director.
Since plans were announced for the museum on the National Mall, contributions have come from many segments of American business. In 2010 the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave $50 million to various Smithsonian initiatives, including $10 million for the African American museum. The Lilly Endowment has also donated $10 million. Other companies that have donated $5 million include American Express, the Boeing Company, Target and UnitedHealth Group.
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