Links Foundation to donate $1 million towards African American History museum

Design concept for the National Museum of African American History and Culture. IMAGE/David Adjaye

The Links Foundation Inc., an international non-profit, has revealed that it will give US$1 million to help build the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington DC.

The foundation which also serves as the philanthropic extension of The Links, an largely black female organization, made the announcement on Saturday during an event at National Harbor.

According to Margot James Copeland, the national president of The Links, the foundation chose the museum to receive its 2013 Legacy Grant to be used for ongoing construction of the museum. The museum is currently under construction near the Washington Monument and it is scheduled to be completed in late 2015 or early 2016.

The U.S. Congress pledged to provide half the US$500 million cost. The Smithsonian has been working to raise the remaining funds from private sources. Oprah Winfrey is among the largest donors, giving US$13 million.

The Links organization is a high profile organiztion that counts Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as members.