Leadership in Limbo: Head of African American Museum on Leave as Smithsonian Faces Political Pressures
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Kevin Young, the director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), has stepped away from his leadership role on personal leave as of March 14, according to an internal email obtained by The Washington Post. The leave comes at a pivotal time, as the Smithsonian Institution faces mounting political pressure from President Donald Trump and his allies.
Young, a celebrated poet and scholar who has led the NMAAHC since 2021, is on leave for an “undetermined period,” according to Smithsonian Under Secretary for Museums and Culture Kevin Gover. In his absence, Shanita Brackett, the museum’s associate director of operations, has been appointed acting director.
While the timing has raised eyebrows, there is no public confirmation that Young’s leave is connected to political developments. Just two weeks after the announcement, Trump issued a sweeping executive order on March 27 calling for the removal of what he deemed “improper ideology” from federally funded institutions. The order directly criticized the African American Museum for promoting narratives that portray American and Western values as “harmful and oppressive.” It referenced a controversial 2020 infographic — long since removed — that had sparked right-wing backlash, including from Donald Trump Jr.
Though a spokesperson for the Smithsonian declined to comment, the developments come as two of the three Smithsonian museums cited in Trump’s order now lack permanent leadership. The Smithsonian American Art Museum removed its director last summer. The third, the American Women’s History Museum, named a new leader last year.
Young’s absence leaves a noticeable void at one of the most visited and culturally significant institutions in the country. Since taking the helm in 2021, Young has been praised for modernizing the museum’s digital presence and deepening its historical offerings. Under his guidance, the NMAAHC launched the “Searchable Museum” online platform and unveiled its “Living History” fundraising campaign, with an ambitious $350 million goal.
Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Young served as director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York, where he secured $10 million in funding and oversaw acquisitions of iconic Black cultural archives, including those of Harry Belafonte and James Baldwin. He has also held curatorial and academic positions at Emory University and has been the poetry editor at The New Yorker since 2017. His 17th book is set to be released this fall.
Colleagues describe Young as a dynamic and visionary leader. His temporary departure now raises questions about the future direction of the African American Museum amid rising political scrutiny.
The Smithsonian has not yet announced a timeline for Young’s return or for selecting a permanent successor, should that become necessary. For now, Brackett, a respected operations leader within the institution, will steer the museum through what may be a challenging chapter.
As cultural institutions become increasingly politicized, the African American Museum stands at the intersection of historical truth-telling and modern-day resistance. The stakes, as always, remain high.
USBC Media will continue to follow developments surrounding the NMAAHC and its leadership. For more stories that center Black culture, history, and impact — stay connected.
