Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture and Levine Museum of the New South are proud to collaborate and bring the dynamic exhibition Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. to our Charlotte community.

Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. profiles the revolutionary men—including Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, W.E.B DuBois, and Kendrick Lamar—whose journeys have altered the history and culture of the country. The achievements of the men are woven within the legacy and traditions of the African American journey—achievements of excellence in spite of society’s barriers.

Through literary and historic quotes, poetry, original works of art, dramatic photographs, and a dynamic space that encourages self-reflection, this innovative exhibition weaves together the historical and the contemporary to illuminate the importance of these men within the context of rich community traditions. It invites visitors to consider predominant narratives and engage in the authentic stories of history, politics, art, culture, and activism.

While these men made their mark in a variety of disciplines—politics, sports, science, entertainment, business, religion, and more—all understood the value of asserting their own agency by owning their own stories.

Patrick Earl Hammie, [Romare Bearden] Romare Bearden, 2018. Courtesy of the artist

Together, the Gantt and Levine Museum will share the stories of these revolutionary men. Told across seven themes, the Gantt will display Storytellers, Fathering, and Imagining and Levine Museum will display Catalysts, Myth-Breakers, and Community; both museums will display Loving.

The Gantt and Levine Museum strive to ignite excitement, conversation and engagement that connects the community through history, art, culture and celebration. We hope this partnership around Men of Change inspires the community to gather across both museums, connect with each other and honor the voices, stories and history of these extraordinary men.

Men of Change was developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and made possible through the generous support of the Ford Motor Company Fund.

Free admission to the Men of Change exhibition at The Harvey B. Gantt Center and Levine Museum of the New South is made possible by generous support from Wells Fargo.

Charlotte Community Sponsor:

Download the companion gallery guide for Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth.

The opening ceremony for Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. exhibited at The Gantt and Levine Museum of the New South. Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Harvey B. Gantt, Marquette Folley, and Bakari Sellers were among the dignitaries and officials in attendance.