The Opportunity

Helping the Smithsonian’s newest and most anticipated museum prepare to open, including special events planning, managing and staffing cultivation events for the development team, and campaign providing on-site support to the communications team during its first year.

The Work

DOT COMMUNICATIONS had the privilege of working with the Smithsonian specifically the National African American Museum of History (NMAAHC) before it had its permanent home.

For our first project, we were contracted by Adrienne Brooks, Director of Development to manage, implement, and execute their inaugural exhibit reception that took place at the Smithsonian Museum of African Art and two cultivation events one in Washington, DC and the second at the High Museum in Atlanta, GA. In this capacity, DOT Communications provided event support including planning, staffing, logistics, catering, run-of-show development, and stage management.

Our event services were also contracted for the NMAAHC’s first symposium 1968 and Beyond. This sold-out two-day symposium examined what African American history scholar Peniel Joseph calls the “classical period” of the civil rights movement by placing it in the broader context of American and African American history. Featured speakers and panelists included Lonnie Bunch, Sonia Sanchez, Ron Walter, Donna Brazille, and Johnetta Cole.

DOT communications managed all aspects including venue selection, confirmation of speakers, travel and lodging arrangements, managing AV needs, development of run of the show, catering arrangements, event décor, talking points for museum leadership, and promotion of the event within the Washington, DC area.

In preparation for the opening in 2016, we were also contracted to create a social media team to provide support to the communications department during grand opening events.

Once the NMAAHC opened in 2016, we were contracted to provide a team of six DOT COMMUNICATIONS on-site support for their communications department. We recruited, screened, and interviewed all applicants before they met with Museum communications staff and were approved for on-site staffing.

The Outcome

DOT COMMUNICATIONS was able to contribute to one of the Smithsonian’s most successful museum openings to date supporting both the development and communications team. Our on-site team provided significant social and media relations support to help facilitate the overwhelming local, national, and international media requests.