GRAND OPENING: POTUS & FLOTUS Host Epic Reception For New Smithsonian African American History Museum, TSU Band Rocks The South Lawn + Star Studded Dedication

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a reception for the grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands marching band rocked the South lawn to kick off the festivities. Pics and videos inside….

It's been a long time coming (over 100 years in the making), but it's finally here!

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama opened up the White House doors to host a reception before the highly anticipated grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History at the National Mall yesterday. The museum will display the history of African-American heroes who fought for equal rights. It will cast light on the raw, un-cut and unfiltered artifacts of our American history.

Comapnies like Lowe's donated $1M and black billionaire Robert Smith donated a reported $20M+ to make the Museum a stunner!

Bring out the drumline!  POTUS and FLOTUS welcomed the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands marching band for a special performance on the South Lawn as guests made their way inside the White House for the epic reception.  Not sure when we'll be able to see this happen again:

The band played one of POTUS’ favorite songs by Stevie Wonder“Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours”.  But the looks on the students' faces shaking POTUS' hand...Everything!

Peep the clip below:

 

“If you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands marching band visited the White House in celebration of tomorrow’s opening of the Smithsonian @NMAAHC. Get more on the opening at the link in the bio.

A video posted by The White House (@whitehouse) on Sep 23, 2016 at 5:34pm PDT

 

President Obama greets Harry Belafonte during a dropby in the Oval Office today. The legendary singer, actor and activist is in town for the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

A photo posted by Pete Souza (@petesouza) on Sep 23, 2016 at 6:36pm PDT

Founding Director Lonnie Bunch joined POTUS and FLOTUS at the podium to welcome everyone to the reception before the historic museum's grand opening.

In attendance were several YBF notables:

Civil rights activists Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson greeted one another when they crossed paths during the reception.

Congressman Elijah Cummings chopped it up with Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Founding donors Samuel L. Jackson and Cookie Johnson were in the mix snapping it up with civil rights leader Rep John Lewis, who introduced bills in 1988 to create the museum.

Beyonce's singing group Chloe x Halle were also there. They were tapped for a performance during the reception.

Peep POTUS' welcome speech below:

At another event...

Rapper Common, directress Ava DuVernay and singer Jazmine Sullivan popped up at the at Marriott International’s EncouragHERS Luncheon yesterday, marking the grand opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture. The event celebrated women of character, courage and commitment.

Everyone cleaned up nice for the event.

Today....

The bell from one of the oldest black churches in America rings in the official opening of @NMAAHC! #APeoplesJourneyhttps://t.co/0je8MHEH7G

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 24, 2016

POTUS and FLOTUS headed out this morning for the star-studded opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush were also in attendance.

The @POTUS and @FLOTUS at our Dedication Ceremony with former President George W. Bush. #APeoplesJourney#MakingHistorypic.twitter.com/Z7kelmTq4C

— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) September 24, 2016

Proud to help open @NMAAHC with so many heroes. African American history is a central part of our glorious American history.

— President Obama (@POTUS) September 24, 2016

Founding donor Oprah, her bestie Gayle King and her partner Stedman Graham got all dressed up to attend the ceremony.

WONDALAND honcho Janelle Monae and Oscar winning actress Octavia Spencer were front-and-center for the grand opening:

Welcome to the museum @octaviaspencer& @janellemonae! #APeoplesJourneypic.twitter.com/09l4UBxaGm

— Smithsonian NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) September 24, 2016

YBF Hollywood Squad!

Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o, actor David Oyelowo, directress Ava DuVernay, actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw, actor André Holland and actor Glenn Turman were also in attendance with Janelle and Octavia.

Below is a stream of the dedication ceremony, led by POTUS and several YBF leaders: 

Nice!  The museum will open its doors to the public starting today at 1pm EST.

Tonight, a concert featuring Public Enemy, The Roots and Living Colour will go down at the National Mall for the opening weekend of the museum.

Photos: Getty/White House's IG & Snap/Oprah's IG/Janelle's IG/Chloe x Halle's IG/Ava's IG