The black press, a formidable political force whose influence in the African American community was rivaled only by the church, launched the Double V campaign, telling millions of readers that a true victory for democracy would only be gained if it was won both overseas and at home. Many of these objects are currently on view in the Double Victory exhibition.“We want democracy in Alabama, Arkansas, in Mississippi and Michigan, in the District of Columbia, in the Senate of the United States,” the NAACP editorialized in 1940.Įven after Pearl Harbor and the formal declaration of war, many African Americans found that the calls to defend democracy rang hollow, while the German talk of a superior race sounded strikingly familiar. In addition to generous financial contributions, General Powell, his wife, Alma, and their children have also donated over 100 objects to the museum representing Powell’s life and military service.

General Powell joined NMAAHC in 2010 as a founding Council member and served on the museum’s advisory board for more than a decade. General Powell was highly decorated as both a soldier and civilian, with domestic and foreign awards including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the Legion of Honour from France, and the Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) from Great Britain. Throughout his military and political careers, he advised numerous presidential administrations and greatly impacted domestic and foreign policy. General Powell was the first African American to serve as Secretary of State and the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to earn his commission through the ROTC. Powell Gallery in honor of General Powell’s lifelong service to the United States as well as his long-standing support of the museum. In September 2022, the military history gallery was named the General Colin L.

Bunch III, founding director of NMAAHC and current Secretary of the Smithsonian. Learn more about General Powell’s life and service through his oral history interview with Lonnie G.

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