The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture opened its doors with a two-hour celebration of music, dance, and comedy — “Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories that Changed America." Featuring acclaimed artists including Oprah Winfrey, Usher, Will Smith, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Tom Hanks, Christina Aguilera, and Dave Grohl, among many others, the show included singing, dancing, stories, laughter and hope…it celebrated America, and all of its citizens, through the prism of the African American experience and its unique contributions to global culture.