February has a way of making us pause and reflect. During Black History Month, we hear powerful stories about resilience, creativity, struggle, and triumph. We celebrate well-known leaders and everyday people who shaped history in quiet but meaningful ways. And often, somewhere in the middle of all that reflection, a thought creeps in: What about my people? Where do my family’s stories fit into this larger history?

Every May, communities across the United States celebrate Historic Preservation Month . We repaint old storefronts, lead walking tours, and post photos of restored barns. The goal is simple: save the places and objects that tell our national story. Yet this year’s celebration feels urgent. During the last week of April, curators at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) started boxing up landmark artifacts—including pieces of the 19