Walmart’s $5M Donation Supports National Museum of the American Latino

Retailer becomes founding donor for new project

6/6/2022

The Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History will house the first physical presence of the National Museum of the American Latino.

Through its Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity, Walmart is making a $5 million donation to the new National Museum of the American Latino. The museum, being built under the direction of the Smithsonian, will showcase Latinas and Latinos who have helped shape the U.S.

While the museum is under construction, its first physical presence will be showcased through the Molina Family Latino Gallery at the National Museum of American History. A virtual gallery is also available and includes a project titled “Somos,” meaning “We are,” which captures the rich diversity of the Latinx experience.

“As an immigrant and a father, it is deeply personal to me to see this storytelling come to life,” wrote Pepe Estrada, Walmart’s director of constituent relations, in a company blog post. “Years ago, my daughter returned home from school upset after a career day because none of the speakers looked like her. As we have done many times as a family, we shared examples of many Latinas and Latinos and their contributions to the country. Now, I am filled with optimism as generations of young people will have the opportunity to learn about how the Latinx experience is deeply intertwined with the story of our country.”

Walmart’s first venture into the international market came with the opening of a Sam’s Club in Mexico, and the company says it is one of the largest employers of Latinx people in the U.S. and is also a business partner for many Latinx-owned businesses and suppliers.

“I am thrilled to see this next step of Walmart’s support to the Latinx community unfold, and look forward to the possibilities that arise when people can access the deeper history of the Latinx experience in the U.S.,” Estrada wrote.

Each week, approximately 230 million customers and members visit Walmart’s more than 10,500 stores and numerous e-commerce websites under 46 banners in 24 countries. The company employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart U.S. is No. 1 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer’s 2022 list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America.