Overview

In its first four months of operation, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture surpassed one million visits and quickly became a cherished, vital monument to the African American experience. And yet this accomplishment was never assured. In A Fool's Errand, founding director Lonnie Bunch tells his story of bringing his clear vision and leadership to realize this shared dream of many generations of Americans. Outlining the challenges of site choice, architect selection, building design, and the compilation of an unparalleled collection of African American artifacts, Bunch also delves into his personal struggles--especially the stress of a high-profile undertaking--and the triumph of establishing such an institution without mentors or guidebooks to light the way. His memoir underscores his determination to create a museum that treats the black experience as an essential component of every American's identity. This inside account of how Bunch planned, managed, and executed the museum's mission informs and inspires not only listeners working in museums, cultural institutions, and activist groups, but also those in the nonprofit and business worlds who wish to understand how to succeed--and do it spectacularly--in the face of major political, structural, and financial challenges.

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9781665117500

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Reviews

"""Bunch addresses the ways in which public spaces must be disrupted and dehierarchized to change cultural narratives."" -- ""Library Journal (starred review)"" ""JD Jackson's exemplary narration draws listeners in...to such a degree that listeners will be convinced they are hearing the author's own voice...Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award."" -- ""AudioFile"" ""Tells a challenging and ultimately inspiring story of struggle, perseverence, and uplift."" -- ""Booklist"" ""This book begins like a mystery, unfolds like a thriller, and ends like a romance novel of love for a people whose heritage has been hostage to hostility and ignorance."" -- ""Michael Eric Dyson, New York Times bestselling author"""

Bunch addresses the ways in which public spaces must be disrupted and dehierarchized to change cultural narratives. -- Library Journal (starred review) JD Jackson's exemplary narration draws listeners in...to such a degree that listeners will be convinced they are hearing the author's own voice...Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award. -- AudioFile Tells a challenging and ultimately inspiring story of struggle, perseverence, and uplift. -- Booklist This book begins like a mystery, unfolds like a thriller, and ends like a romance novel of love for a people whose heritage has been hostage to hostility and ignorance. -- Michael Eric Dyson, New York Times bestselling author

Author Information

Lonnie G. Bunch III is founding director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and now secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Prior to becoming the director, he served as the president of the Chicago Historical Society and as the associate director for curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Bunch is also coauthor of The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden and From No Return: The 221-Year Journey of the Slave Ship São Jose. J. D. Jackson is a theater professor, aspiring stage director, and award-winning audiobook narrator. He is a classically trained actor, and his television and film credits include roles on House, ER, Law & Order, Hack, Sherrybaby, Diary of a City Priest, and Lucky Number Slevin. He is the recipient of more than a dozen Earphones Awards for narration and an Odyssey Honor for G. Neri's Ghetto Cowboy, and he was also named one of AudioFile magazine's Best Voices of the Year for 2012 and 2013. An adjunct professor at Los Angeles Southwest College, he has an MFA in theater from Temple University.

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