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Men of Change animation

Have you seen them?
You see them.
Bold. Powerful.
Tragic. Beautiful.
And true.
They are icons with warrior roots. They are trees of knowledge.
Legends of the past, inspiration for the future, the fierce energy of now.

Men of Change: Power.Triumph. Truth. honors them. Without their stories, the fabric of our country comes undone and history loses irreplaceable voices.

These men seek justice, battle for freedom, create unparalleled art. Seamless within African American traditions, their achievements transmit excellence like a force field.

Through Men of Change, engage with a world of men, women, and communities that show how powerful a journey can be.

In these men: A lesson for us all
In these men: Stories of yesterday and now
In these men: Our meaningful tomorrows

Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. profiles revolutionary men—Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, W.E.B. Du Bois, Kendrick Lamar, and more—who have altered the history and culture of this country.

When this country strives to render them invisible, they are, instead, uplifted by a culture. You see them here in their true light.

Men of Change was developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and made possible through the generous support of the Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services.

From the Exhibit

Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. is an immersive experience—exhibition as installation art.

Home Team [Ryan Coogler], 2018. Alfred Conteh. Courtesy of artist Alfred Conteh and Amath Gomis.

Alfred Conteh

Depicting Ryan Coogler

Kehinde, [Kehinde Wiley], 2018. Devan Shimoyama. Courtesy of the artist.

Devan Shimoyama

Depicting Kehinde Wiley

Romare Bearden [Romare Bearden], 2018. Patrick Earl Hammie. Courtesy of the artist.

Patrick Earl Hammie

Depicting Romare Bearden

Light Side Dark Side [Dick Gregory], 2018. Shaunté Gates. Courtesy of the artist.

Shaunté Gates

Depicting Dick Gregory

[Alvin Ailey], 2022. Holly Bass. Courtesy of the artist.

Holly Bass

Depicting Alvin Ailey

Charles Bolden Portrait [Charles Bolden], 2018. Bráulio Amado. Courtesy of the artist.

Bráulio Amado

Depicting Charles Bolden

Illustration of John H. Johnson, [John H. Johnson], 2018. Joe Prytherch. Mason London is an illustrator from London.

Joe Prytherch

Depicting John Johnson

Lost and Found [August Wilson], 2013. Radcliffe Bailey. © Radcliffe Bailey. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

Radcliffe Bailey

Depicting August Wilson

We will never die (Goldlink) [Dr. Rob Gore], 2018. Tariku Shiferaw. Courtesy of the artist.

Tariku Shiferaw

Depicting Dr. Rob Gore

Know Your Right [Muhammad Ali/Cleveland Summit], 2018. David Alekhuogie. Courtesy of the artist.

David Alekhuogie

Depicting Muhammad Ali/Cleveland Summit

Untitled [Andrew Young], 2018. Nina Chanel Abney. © Nina Chanel Abney. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

Nina Chanel Abney

Depicting Andrew Young

Monumental [Ta-Nehisi Coates], 2018. Robert Pruitt. Courtesy of the artist and Koplin Del Rio, Seattle.

Robert Pruitt

Depicting Ta-Nehisi Coates

In the Wake [Shaka Senghor], 2018. Troy Michie. Courtesy of the artist.

Troy Michie

Depicting Shaka Senghor

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Exterior of the International African American Museum. The image shows a white building overlooking a body of water with buildings and sky in the background

International African American Museum

June 27 - Aug 6, 2023

Address:
14 Wharfside St, Charleston, SC 29401

Learn More

View all upcoming dates >>

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