Mission Mondays: Preserving Legacy Through Storytelling and Support
by Sydnie Davis, Marketing Manager for the National Museum of African American Music | May 11, 2026
At the National Museum of African American Music, the mission has always been larger than music alone. It is about preserving culture, documenting legacy, and creating a space where the stories of Black music and the people who shaped it can continue to live on for generations to come. While exhibitions, performances, and educational programming are central to that work, none of it happens without the individuals who believe deeply enough in the mission to invest in it. That belief is what inspired Mission Mondays.
Mission Mondays was created as a storytelling initiative designed to highlight the major donors, supporters, and community champions who help make the museum’s mission possible. More than a traditional donor spotlight, the series intentionally centers the human stories behind philanthropy — the memories, experiences, values, and personal histories that motivate people to support cultural preservation. Lorenzo Windrow, Associate Director of Development at the National Museum of African American Music, personally interviews and writes each Mission Mondays feature to help cultivate and preserve the personal stories and experiences behind every donor relationship. Each feature serves as a reminder that giving is not simply transactional; it is deeply personal.
Through intimate conversations, Mission Mondays captures the ways music shapes identity, community, faith, healing, and memory. Many of the stories featured reflect how music has carried individuals through pivotal moments in their lives — from joy and celebration to grief and resilience. These narratives help audiences understand that Black music is not only entertainment; it is documentation, survival, resistance, and inheritance.
The previous feature, “We Are Blessed To Be A Blessing,” beautifully embodies the purpose of the series through the story of Reverend Gary and Mrs. Gwendolyn Henderson. Their conversation reflected how music can preserve traditions and memories that formal systems often overlook. From recalling hymns sung in small Georgia churches to reflecting on the role faith and generosity play in their lives, the Hendersons shared how deeply connected music is to family, spirituality, and legacy.
Their perspective on giving also speaks directly to the heart of NMAAM’s mission. As supporters of the museum, the Hendersons described philanthropy not as an obligation, but as stewardship — an intentional choice to invest in preserving culture and educating future generations about who they are and where they come from. Their belief that “we’re blessed to be a blessing” reflects the spirit of collective responsibility that continues to sustain institutions like NMAAM.
Mission Mondays also plays an important role in demonstrating the real impact of community support. By sharing these stories publicly, the museum creates visibility around the individuals who are helping preserve Black musical history while encouraging others to see themselves as part of that ongoing work. The series reinforces that the preservation of culture requires participation — not only from artists and historians, but from everyday people who understand the value of ensuring these stories continue to be told.
As NMAAM continues to grow, initiatives like Mission Mondays help strengthen the connection between the museum and the community it serves. They remind us that legacy is not built in isolation. It is built through shared belief, intentional investment, and the willingness to preserve something larger than ourselves.
If these stories resonate with you, we invite you to become part of the mission. Whether through membership, philanthropy, partnership, or simply sharing the work of the museum with others, your support helps ensure that the soundtrack of Black history continues to be preserved, celebrated, and carried forward for generations to come. To learn more about supporting the mission of NMAAM, visit the National Museum of African American Music or contact the Development teams to discover how you can help shape the future of this important work.
Lorenzo Windrow serves as Associate Director of Development at the National Museum of African American Music, where he manages an $8 million contributed income pipeline and leads transformative campaigns that sustain the museum’s mission of celebrating black music and culture. Read his bio here.
Mission Mondays is an initiative by The National Museum of African American Music to highlight the stories of the major donors who help make our mission possible. Want to be featured? Please contact marketing@nmaam.org. Inspired to support?
