Master-Planning Team
The Juneteenth’s Home master-planning process is being led by SmithGroup — in collaboration with Sources CRM and The Projects Group — a team bringing nationally recognized expertise in cultural planning and design, deep specialization in African American history and interpretive practice, and strong governance and project‑management leadership. Their integrated team has shaped nationally significant cultural projects including the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Whitney Plantation, the National Slavery Museum at Lumpkin’s Slave Jail, Freedom House/1315 Duke Street, the Sweatt v. Painter Memorial, and the Fred Rouse Center for Arts and Community Healing. Together, and along with additional project consultants, the team is guiding a process that is community‑centered, historically grounded, and built for long‑term success.
Architectural & Master Plan Design Lead
Dayton is a Vice President and Design Director at SmithGroup and an award‑winning architect with 25 years of experience leading major cultural projects – including the National Slavery Museum, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Expansion, Freedom House Museum, and Whitney Plantation.
Interpretive Project Lead
Founder and Principal of Sources CRM, Dr. Lee was the U.S. State Department’s featured Juneteenth speaker in China, is a former senior director at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and an award‑winning cultural historian shaping major African American history projects nationwide.
Planning Consultant
Dr. Mack created the Office of Strategic Partnerships at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, has led major national initiatives across the Smithsonian, and is a nationally respected museum strategist advancing African American and global heritage.
Museum Planning
Monteil is a leading expert in the planning and design of museums and cultural facilities of all kinds and is an author of the definitive guide to museum projects Building a Museum: This is Not a Manual. He is a senior principal at SmithGroup.
Project Manager/Local Architect
William is an architect/project manager at SmithGroup and a Houston‑born advocate for community‑driven design with experience leading a diverse range of institutional and preservation projects – including the UH Medical Research Building.
Landscape Planner
Kendra is an experienced and versatile urban planning and landscape architecture professional with a deep commitment to using design as a tool for social equity and climate justice. She is an urban planner, landscape architect and associate at SmithGroup.
Historic Preservation Lead
Jim is a vice president and director of historic preservation at SmithGroup with over 30 years directing heritage projects, driven by a passion for revitalizing communities, honoring architectural history, and designing context‑sensitive spaces that link the past and the future.
Museum & Interpretive Planning
Kamille is a leading designer in museum and interpretive planning whose work reveals innovative storytelling across national cultural projects, grounded in a commitment to amplifying marginalized communities and deepening collective understanding. She is an architect and associate at SmithGroup.
Executive VP of The Projects Group, John is an owner’s project manager with over 15 years of experience supporting museums, cultural centers, and urban districts – guided by a belief in mission‑driven work and helping clients deliver bold visions without being slowed by the complexities of the built environment.
Business Management Advisor
Historic Archaeologist
Dr. Maria Franklin is a historical archaeologist with over 30 years of experience and scholarly expertise that includes historic material culture, post-emancipation Black Texas, and community-based research.
Dr. Guzmán is an Assist. Vice Chancellor at North Carolina Central University, serves on the editorial board of the Journal of African American History and has 27 years in Africana studies and Black Diasporan culture scholarship.
Texas & Borderlands AA History Specialist
PR & Communications
Leah has spent over 15 years serving Galveston’s tourism and cultural communities, where she has enjoyed contributing to projects that promote African American history, stories, and sites. She is the PR & communications contact for Juneteenth’s Home.