"Founding Director Lonnie Bunch's inside story of how the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture was created. By turns inspiring, funny, frustrating, quixotic, and bittersweet, this is his deeply personal tale of the challenges and rewards of bringing a nationally acclaimed new institution to life"-- Provided by publisher.

Preface -- What happens to a dream deferred? -- You end as you begin -- Now that you have it, what you gonna do with it? -- Designing a dream -- Finding the stuff of history -- Realizing a dream takes money -- Befriending presidents and managing Congress: a long way from New Jersey -- Exhibiting American history through an African American lens: making a way out of no way -- All in the family: building a community of caring colleagues -- Filling the hole: the challenge of building on the National Mall -- Welcoming America home: The opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture -- A first year of surprise and wonder: helping America to remember -- Epilogue.