National Museum of the American Latino receives a $1 million gift from U.S. Bank

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino received a $1 million gift from U.S. Bank to help develop the new museum, which opened its first gallery in June at the National Museum of American History.

“We thank U.S. Bank for their support and commitment to Latino representation,” said Jorge Zamanillo, director of the National Museum of the American Latino. “This generous gift will help us build a museum and educational community that recognizes the essential role the Latino experience has played in shaping the American story.” 

According to U.S. Bank, the gift reflects the organization’s commitment to bolstering the museum’s message that “Latino history is American history.”

“We are focused on utilizing our core competencies as a financial institution to help close wealth disparities as a critical component of our work to create greater access to financial empowerment for our employees, customers, and communities we serve,” said Greg Cunningham, chief diversity officer for U.S. Bank.

“The gap is significant for the Hispanic and Latinx community, and our investment in the museum is a continuation of work we have planned to support Hispanic and Latinx individuals, families and businesses,” he added.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino is meant to advance “the representation, understanding, and appreciation of Latino history and culture in the United States,” according to its website.

The museum plans to expand scholarly research, public programs, digital content, and collections, among other things, that are dedicated to the Latino experience.

The national museum was created after legislation was passed on December 27, 2020.

The museum’s first exhibit, titled “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States,” showcases stories of Latinos who have helped shape the United States.