Najee
Dorsey




America at 250, Photomontage 30' x 10' Mural, (2026) by Najee Dorsey



The Woodson African American Museum of St. Petersburg, Florida has commissioned acclaimed artist, curator, and Black Art In America founder Najee Dorsey to create a major new mural as part of its presentation of Many Voices, One Nation: Our Community, a landmark exhibition commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Opening in July 2026, Many Voices, One Nation: Our Community is presented through the Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street program in partnership with Florida Humanities. The Woodson was selected as one of only three organizations in Florida to host the exhibition, which examines the diverse peoples, cultures, and experiences that have shaped the American story.

Dorsey's commissioned mural will serve as a centerpiece of The Woodson's local interpretation of the exhibition, offering a powerful visual narrative that expands upon the Smithsonian framework while bringing to the forefront stories of resilience, migration, resistance, and cultural contribution that have often been omitted from traditional accounts of American history.

“Through powerful visual storytelling, he challenges audiences to reflect on the many voices that have shaped the American experience.

Silence can no longer define these narratives. Through a commissioned work created specifically for The Woodson as part of America 250: Many Voices, One Nation, a national exhibition presented in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution and Florida Humanities, Dorsey gives voice to stories too often overlooked, ensuring that the contributions, struggles, resilience, and triumphs of African Americans are recognized as an integral part of our shared national story”, states Terri Lipsey Scott, Executive Director of The Woodson African American Museum

This commission opportunity aligns deeply with one of Dorsey’s longest running narratives, that "Stories Untold are Stories Forgotten” - drawing from a decades long artistic practice exploring African American history and identity, Dorsey will create an original work that engages with the exhibition's central question: How do we understand the American story when viewed through the many voices that have helped shape it?

"America's 250th anniversary offers a tremendous opportunity to remember the long history of resistance in America, and to shape the narratives of resistance today." said Dorsey. “This mural seeks to honor those voices, invite reflection on our history, and inspire thought about our current circumstances." In the 30 ft by 10 ft mural Dorsey ambitiously intends to tackle all four of the exhibitions major themes: Unsettling History (1492–1776), Peopling an Expanding Nation (1776–1900), New Americans, Continuing Debates (1900–Today), and Negotiating the Promise of America, creating an overarching view of African American history.

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