Men of Change

Men of Change presents the nation’s story through profiles of twenty-four revolutionary African American men, including Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ryan Coogler, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Carter G. Woodson. Each biography is paired with a selection of work by a noted contemporary artist, accentuating the subjects’ individual legacies while examining broader themes of masculinity, heroism, black identity, and more. Participating artists include Nina Chanel Abney, Derrick Adams, Robert Pruitt, Tariku Shiferaw, and Devan Shimoyama.

In heralding the contributions of notable African American men from across the decades, Men of Change highlights the cultural story they illuminate and the deep parallels between the past and present. While they made their mark in a variety of disciplines, including politics, sports, science, entertainment, business, and religion, all understood the value of asserting their agency by owning their own stories.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.