At a groundbreaking ceremony for the new National Museum of African American History and Culture speakers included President Obama, the museum’s director, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, Representative John Lewis (D-GA) and former First Lady Laura Bush. The event featured musical performances by Denyce Graves, Thomas Hampson, jazz pianist Jason Moran, Stanley Thurston and the Heritage Signature Chorale, Howard University Jazz ensemble-Afro Blue, Madrigal Singers of St. Albans and the National Cathedral Schools, and U.S. Navy Band.