On February 8, 2005, with the site selection committee still deliberating, President Bush again endorsed placing the museum on the National Mall.

The site selection committee did not issue its recommendation until January 31, 2006—a full 13 months late.
It recommended the site west of the National Museum of American History.
The area was part of the Washington Monument grounds, but had been set aside for a museum or other building in the L'Enfant Plan of 1791 and the McMillan Plan of 1902.
The United States Department of State originally planned to build its headquarters there in the early 20th century, and the National World War II Memorial Advisory Board had considered the parcel in 1995.
On March 15, 2005, the Smithsonian named Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III to be the Director of the National African American Museum of History and Culture.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture Council (the museum's board of trustees) sponsored a competition in 2008 to design a 350,000-square-foot (33,000 m²) building with three stories below-ground and five stories above-ground.
The building was limited to the 5-acre (20,000 m²) site chosen by the site selection committee, had to be LEED Gold certified, and had to meet stringent federal security standards.
The cost of construction was limited to $500 million ($593,740,340 in 2019 dollars).
The competition criteria specified that the winning design had to respect the history and views of the Washington Monument as well as demonstrate an understanding of the African-American experience.
The winning design was required to reflect optimism, spirituality, and joy, but also acknowledge and incorporate "the dark corners" of the African-American experience.
The museum design was required to function as a museum, but also be able to host cultural events of various kinds.
Hundreds of architects and firms were invited to participate in the design competition.
 Six firms were chosen as finalists:
Devrouax+Purnell and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Diller Scofidio + Renfro, with KlingStubbins
Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup
Foster and Partners/URS Corporation
Moody Nolan, with Antoine Predock
Moshe Safdie and Associates, with Sulton Campbell Britt & Associates
The design submitted by the Freelon Group/Adjaye Associates/Davis Brody Bond won the design competition.
The above-ground floors featured an inverted step pyramid surrounded by a bronze architectural scrim, which reflected a crown used in Yoruba culture.

Under federal law, the National Capital Planning Commission, the United States Commission of Fine Arts, and the D.C. Historic Preservation Commission all have review and approval rights over construction in the metropolitan D.C. area.
As the design went through these agencies for approval, it was slightly revised.
The building was moved toward the southern boundary of its plot of land, to give a better view of the Washington Monument from Constitution Avenue.
The size of the upper floors were shrunk by 17 percent.
Although three upper floors were permitted (instead of just two), the ceiling height of each floor was lowered so that the overall height of the building was lowered.
The large, box-like first floor was largely eliminated.
Added to the entrance on Constitution Avenue were a pond, garden, and bridge, so that visitors would have to "cross over the water" like slaves did when they came to America.

The Smithsonian estimated in February 2012 that museum would to open in 2015.
 Until then, the museum would occupy a gallery on the second floor of the National Museum of American History.

On June 10, 2013, media magnate Oprah Winfrey donated $12 million to the NMAAHC.
 This was in addition to the $1 million she donated to the museum in 2007.
The Smithsonian said it would name the NMAAHC's 350-seat theater after her.
The GM Foundation announced a $1 million to the museum on January 22, 2014, to fund construction of the building and design and install permanent exhibits.
On February 8, 2005, with the site selection committee still deliberating, President Bush again endorsed placing the museum on the National Mall.
The site selection committee did not issue its recommendation until January 31, 2006—a full 13 months late. It recommended the site west of the National Museum of American History. The area was part of the Washington Monument grounds, but had been set aside for a museum or other building in the L'Enfant Plan of 1791 and the McMillan Plan of 1902. The United States Department of State originally planned to build its headquarters there in the early 20th century, and the National World War II Memorial Advisory Board had considered the parcel in 1995. On March 15, 2005, the Smithsonian named Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III to be the Director of the National African American Museum of History and Culture.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture Council (the museum's board of trustees) sponsored a competition in 2008 to design a 350,000-square-foot (33,000 m²) building with three stories below-ground and five stories above-ground. The building was limited to the 5-acre (20,000 m²) site chosen by the site selection committee, had to be LEED Gold certified, and had to meet stringent federal security standards. The cost of construction was limited to $500 million ($593,740,340 in 2019 dollars). The competition criteria specified that the winning design had to respect the history and views of the Washington Monument as well as demonstrate an understanding of the African-American experience. The winning design was required to reflect optimism, spirituality, and joy, but also acknowledge and incorporate "the dark corners" of the African-American experience. The museum design was required to function as a museum, but also be able to host cultural events of various kinds. Hundreds of architects and firms were invited to participate in the design competition.  Six firms were chosen as finalists:
Devrouax+Purnell and Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Diller Scofidio + Renfro, with KlingStubbins
Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup
Foster and Partners/URS Corporation
Moody Nolan, with Antoine Predock
Moshe Safdie and Associates, with Sulton Campbell Britt & Associates
The design submitted by the Freelon Group/Adjaye Associates/Davis Brody Bond won the design competition. The above-ground floors featured an inverted step pyramid surrounded by a bronze architectural scrim, which reflected a crown used in Yoruba culture.
Under federal law, the National Capital Planning Commission, the United States Commission of Fine Arts, and the D.C. Historic Preservation Commission all have review and approval rights over construction in the metropolitan D.C. area. As the design went through these agencies for approval, it was slightly revised. The building was moved toward the southern boundary of its plot of land, to give a better view of the Washington Monument from Constitution Avenue. The size of the upper floors were shrunk by 17 percent. Although three upper floors were permitted (instead of just two), the ceiling height of each floor was lowered so that the overall height of the building was lowered. The large, box-like first floor was largely eliminated. Added to the entrance on Constitution Avenue were a pond, garden, and bridge, so that visitors would have to "cross over the water" like slaves did when they came to America.
The Smithsonian estimated in February 2012 that museum would to open in 2015.  Until then, the museum would occupy a gallery on the second floor of the National Museum of American History.
On June 10, 2013, media magnate Oprah Winfrey donated $12 million to the NMAAHC.  This was in addition to the $1 million she donated to the museum in 2007. The Smithsonian said it would name the NMAAHC's 350-seat theater after her. The GM Foundation announced a $1 million to the museum on January 22, 2014, to fund construction of the building and design and install permanent exhibits.
National Museum of African American History and Culture