Lonnie Bunch Steps Down After Historic Smithsonian Tenure | Salt Lake City News

Lonnie Bunch, the groundbreaking first African American and historian to lead the Smithsonian since 2019, announced his retirement on September 8, 2026, after nearly four decades shaping America’s cultural narrative—from building the National Museum of African American History and Culture from scratch to transforming the Smithsonian into a beacon of inclusive history. Though he’s stepping down, his legacy as a tireless advocate for a full, complex national story lives on, and the institution awaits its next chapter while honoring his monumental impact. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/5d81ed8764112a7f