This article surveys the history of the relationship between museums and communities of color in the United States, particularly those identifying as Black and African American. Studying the history of research of this topic in the Curator archive and other sources points to the paucity of studies that focus on this part of the population. The article illustrates the effect of these omissions and historical trends in a contemporary museum setting. Highlighting inclusive approaches and practices from the literature, the article offers solutions to the issues of representation and authority that have challenged many museums’ ability to embrace African American communities.
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