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U.S. Bank recently announced a $1 million investment in the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino in Washington D.C. The museum was founded in December 2020, after legislation passed for the Smithsonian to establish the National Museum of the American Latino. The museum is the cornerstone for visitors to learn how Latinos have contributed and continue to contribute to U.S. art, history, culture and science.

“We thank U.S. Bank for their support and commitment to Latino representation,” said Jorge Zamanillo, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino. “This generous gift will help us build a museum and educational community that recognizes the essential role the Latino experience has played in shaping the American story.”

The investment in the museum is part of U.S. Bank Access Commitment™, the bank’s long-term approach to building wealth, redefining how we serve diverse communities and create more opportunities for employees. The Access Commitment work launched in February 2021 and initially focused on the Black community, where the wealth gap is the largest. Now, U.S. Bank is expanding its investment in the Hispanic and Latinx community.

“We are focused on utilizing our core competencies as a financial institution to help close wealth disparities as a critical component of our work to create greater access to financial empowerment for our employees, customers and communities we serve,” said Greg Cunningham, Chief Diversity Officer for U.S. Bank. “The gap is significant for the Hispanic and Latinx community, and our investment in the Museum is a continuation of work we have planned to support Hispanic and Latinx individuals, families and businesses.”

About the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino advances the representation, understanding and appreciation of Latino history and culture in the United States. The museum collaborates with other Smithsonian museums to expand scholarly research, public programs, digital content, collections and more. The Molina Family Latino Gallery of the National Museum of the American Latino is the Smithsonian’s first gallery dedicated to the Latino experience. The legislation creating the National Museum of the American Latino at the Smithsonian was established by Congress in December 2020.

For centuries, diverse Latino communities have played foundational roles in building the United States and shaping its national culture. Their rich histories and legacies predate the nation's establishment. They are deeply rooted in this country's pursuit of democracy, freedom, multiculturalism, and economic opportunity. Their stories and perspectives deepen our understanding of the United States and what it means to be American. To learn more about the American Latino Museum, visit latino.si.edu and follow @USLatinoMuseum on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.