When efforts to create a national museum dedicated to African-American history and culture seemed hopelessly stalled, after decades of effort, Robert Wilkins saw a way forward. Quitting his job in the Public Defenders Office so that he could dedicate all of his time and energies to making the museum “happen,” he researched, maneuvered, and ultimately joined forces with Senators Sam Brownback and Max Cleland and Congressmen John Lewis and J.C. Watts and others, helping to get a Commission established to develop an actionable plan. Joining the Commission, he served as the Chair of its Site and Building Committee, which fought successfully to have the Museum placed on the National Mall “in America’s front yard.” Read more about Judge Wilkins’ efforts on our web site and in his book, Long Road to Hard Truth.