Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History
The Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History, funded by Robert F. Smith, uses innovative technology to preserve and share African American history and culture.
This Center is made up of four key components: The Robert F. Smith Explore Your Family History Center, the Community Curation Program, the Great Migration Home Movie Project, and the Internships and Fellowships Program.
Through each component, the Museum seeks to expand access to African American history and cultivate broad interest in America’s Black past, genealogy, and culture.
Community Curation 2023: Nashville!
The Smith Center spent October 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee digitizing materials for Fisk University, hosting public programs, and collaborating with community partners. Visit the link below to learn about all we did and are doing.
Center Initiatives
Robert Frederick Smith Explore Your Family History Center
The Robert Frederick Smith Explore Your Family History Center helps people begin their family history journey and learn the basics of researching African American genealogy.
Community Curation Program
The Community Curation Program is an innovative digital-first initiative bridging the generational divide in African American communities.
Smith Center Gallery
During COVID-19 and in the midst of our collective trauma, we found community. And, like you, we at the Smith Fund expanded our efforts to connect digitally with guests, collaborators, and visitors.
Robert Frederick Smith Internship and Fellowship Program
The Robert Frederick Smith Internship and Fellowship Program seeks to build pathways for historically underrepresented individuals to grow successful careers in the cultural sector.
The Great Migration Home Movie Project
The Great Migration is a unique digitization service program that partners the National Museum of African American History and Culture with individuals and organizations across the United States to preserve their important analog audiovisual media.
Capturing the Enduring Spirit of Life: Our Families, Our Communities, Our Histories
In this online program, staff members from the The Robert F. Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African American History highlight stories from supporters and Community Curation participants, including:
An interview with Deborah Mason, widow of Baltimore muralist Pontella Mason, recorded by Smith Center Photographer Leah Jones; a panel of Great Migration Home Movie Project participants moderated by Time-Based Media Conservation Team Members AJ Lawrence, CK Ming and Ina Archer; and a genealogy discussion between NMAAHC Ambassador Adrienne Fikes and Family History Center Team Members Hannah Scruggs, Lisa Crawley and Kamilah Stinnett.
The program begins with an introduction from Smith Center Director, Dr. Doretha Williams, and ends with the Smith Center team answering viewer questions.
Share Your Story
The Community Curation Platform provides a unique opportunity for individuals, families, and community groups to share their stories as part of the Museum's online community collection. Begin sharing your stories today by creating an online account with the Museum and uploading your digitized photos and videos. Visit our Submission Guidelines to learn tips on digitizing and what makes for a great community story.