It’s a call to action for the Black community!
When Rev. Robert Turner sets out on his monthly 43-mile walk from Baltimore to Washington, D.C., he carries more than a sign that reads “Reparations Now.” He carries a mission rooted in history, resilience, and hope for the future, AP News reports. On April 16th, Turner made a powerful stop at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), kneeling in prayer and laying a wreath at its entrance to show support for the museum’s essential work.
“I laid my wreath down there to show solidarity with the museum and the history that they present every day,” said Turner, who serves as pastor of Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore.
His act of solidarity comes at a critical moment as the museum faces criticism from the current presidential administration, who, in a March 27th executive order, alleged that Smithsonian exhibits promoted a “divisive, race-centered ideology.”
But the spirit of community and perseverance is stronger than any attempt to rewrite or erase history. Now, Black churches across the country are rallying behind the museum, with Turner’s congregation committing to membership — and encouraging the Black community to do the same. Memberships, which start at just $25 per year, are seen as a simple but meaningful way to stand up for the preservation of Black history.
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Turner drew inspiration from the Rev. Otis Moss III of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, whose church also joined the museum and urged members to follow suit.
“For only $25 a year, you can protect Black history,” Moss said, reminding his congregation of the power of collective action.
The momentum is growing. Rev. Jacqui J. Lewis, senior minister at Middle Church in New York City, shared that her congregation, which has supported the museum since it first opened, recently made another donation — a $1,000 “Easter Love donation” — in direct response to the administration’s actions. Bishop Timothy Clarke of First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, is also encouraging his congregation to support the museum, sharing that for his own family, visiting the museum was a life-changing experience.
“Our grandson is in DC on a field trip,” Clarke wrote. “The highlight of his trip has been the visit to the Museum.”
The new executive order does not mention budget cuts, but it does direct the vice president to lead an effort to remove what it called “improper ideology” from Smithsonian institutions. Critics argue this move seeks to present a distorted narrative of American history — one that sidesteps the painful yet critical truths of slavery, segregation, and systemic injustice.
Turner, who has made his monthly walk to D.C. for the past 31 months, views education and historical truth as essential for national healing. When a young child pointed to his “Reparations Now” sign and asked a parent, “What is reparations?” it reinforced Turner’s belief in the importance of teaching real American history — not sanitizing it.
“That to me is a perfect manifestation about why we need to be teaching more true history of America, and not taking away certain subjects because they make people feel uncomfortable,” Turner said.
Despite the political turbulence, leaders like Moss are hopeful. In a social media post, he emphasized that the current vice president is only one member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents and that the mission of the museum will endure. Trinity United Church of Christ, described by Moss as “a church that is unashamedly Black and unapologetically Christian,” continues its legacy of social activism, standing firmly in support of institutions that honor Black history.
Meanwhile, the museum itself is undergoing changes. Shanita Beckett, formerly head of operations, is now serving as interim director following the departure of Kevin Young, the museum’s former director. As leadership transitions, support from the community remains steadfast.
Elected officials are also speaking out. In a letter addressed to the vice president, Democrats on the House Administration Committee called out the executive order, writing, “This flagrant attempt to erase Black history is unacceptable and must be stopped.” They continued, “The attempt to paper over elements of American history is both cowardly and unpatriotic.”
In the face of attempts to silence the truth, Black churches and communities are making it clear: our history is sacred, our stories matter, and our collective strength will always rise to meet the challenge. The recent support of Black churches comes on the heels of Pastor Jamal Bryant’s calls to boycott Target and Rev. Al Sharpton’s support of that initiative as well as recent buy-ins for companies holding fast to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Cover photo: Black Churches Rally to Preserve & Protect Black History at Smithsonian’s NMAAHC/Pastor Robert Turner poses outside of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture/Photo credit: Nathan Howard/AP Photo